We Miss the Power...

Thursday, April 28, 2011
We Miss the Power… Since the storms passed through this past Monday, there have been many throughout the state that still have yet to get their electricity back on. My own parents are running the essentials of the house by generator. Every 6 – 7 hours my dad has to fill it up with gas in order for them to keep power, and that’s only on a limited basis. How often do we simply walk into a room, flip a switch to get lights, and not give it a second thought? We miss the power when it’s gone…
I’ve had the awesome privilege of being in church services when God moved in a mighty, unexplainable way. I’ve seen folks pouring forward to accept Christ during the first few songs, long before the invitation is ever given. I preached a youth revival once in Friendship, Arkansas where we had a 45 minute invitation because students kept making moves. We saw dozens and dozens of students accept Christ that night, with several even surrendering their lives to ministry service. But when the power isn’t there, we miss it.
Have you ever been in a service at church when it was dry as a bone? I have experienced services like this. There’s usually something at the root of services like that, too. My experience in the past has been that when I have something in my heart against someone, worship services for me are usually dry and dead. I’ve been in services at times in my preaching ministry when great division was present in the church I was guest speaking in. The air was so cold you could almost see ice forming on the light fixtures. There’s no power in that.
I’m thankful that God has allowed me the privilege of seeing Him move all around me, in spite of me. I’m thankful to see the power of the Holy Spirit changing lives and filling services on a regular basis. But I don’t want to become so accustomed to His moving that I begin to take it for granted. All it takes is one moment without the powerhouse of the Holy Spirit filling you or a service you’re in to remember just how crucial He is! May I never take the Power for granted!
So, today: pray for those without electricity in the areas affected by the storms. They say it will most likely be Saturday or later before it is restored for some. Pray for the crews that are working tirelessly to restore the power. Guys like Randy Everett and his Entergy crews are saving the day for many. And pray for believers, and churches, that have gone so long without the power supply of the Holy Spirit filling their lives and services that they don’t even realize His absence anymore. We need the power back, in full supply, if we’re ever going to reach this world.

PS: If you’d like to donate to the tornado relief efforts one suggested group is the American Red Cross. I’ve seen first-hand that these folks will provide shelter and clothing to people who have lost homes in these types of situations. Visit http://www.redcross.org and click the link at the top of the page, “DONATE FUNDS.”



That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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