{"id":25363,"date":"2019-03-23T03:30:47","date_gmt":"2019-03-23T10:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=25363"},"modified":"2019-03-21T12:08:35","modified_gmt":"2019-03-21T19:08:35","slug":"march-23-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2019\/03\/23\/march-23-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"March 23, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cAnd with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Acts 4:33<\/p>\n

Unleashed<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For dog-lovers, this is a common scenario: you put a gentle dog on a leash and take him outside for a peaceful walk around the neighborhood. Something catches his eye, and suddenly he wants to get off that leash more than anything he has ever wanted. He leans and pulls and strains until you think your arm will be pulled from its socket. In fear of losing the soundness of your bones and muscles, you let go of the leash, and he\u2019s off. He barks and chases and romps with noisy joy. You can\u2019t help but smile, because he is so happy and free. (And, might I add, no amount of yelling his name will bring him back. He\u2019ll come back when he\u2019s good and ready.)<\/p>\n

This example is full of holes, but I see real spiritual application when I consider the freedom of a restrained being finally let loose to do what he will. This is the idea behind the work of the Holy Spirit when He was loosed upon the early believers in the Church. He wasn\u2019t out of control like the dog, of course, but had been set free to move powerfully in lives. It was time to move with energy and intensity.<\/p>\n

Droves of people were being saved. Profound dimensions of spiritual unity were experienced. They lived with the same mind. Miracles were taking place everywhere. The Word was shared with great power by both the apostles and the new believers.<\/p>\n

The power of the Holy Spirit had been released. Everything changed. And no wonder: the very Spirit of our Creator\u2014the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace\u2014was at work among them.<\/p>\n

The word used for this power\u00a0<\/strong>is dunamis<\/em>: energy, power, might, great force, great ability, and strength\u2014the divine power that overcomes all resistance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The early believers saw the outworking of their faith and prayers. Have you seen this unleashed power of the Holy Spirit at work in your life? If not, ask God to show you the way. Ask Him to let you see and live in the operation of all the fullness of the Spirit.<\/p>\n

But be ready to seek Him with your whole being\u2014for, as A.W. Tozer asks, \u201cAre you sure you want to be possessed by a spirit other than your own?\u201d Maybe it\u2019s time to answer that question.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather, we desire to walk in the faith of those early believers, and to live in the power of Your Spirit. Show us the way, Lord, that we might glorify Your Name. Amen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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