The Power is yours
Updated: Aug 25, 2022
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“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” -Acts 1:8
My favourite anime as a child was perhaps Captain Planet and the Planeteers. It told the story of five teenagers and a super hero, Captain Planet. Their task was to defend the planet from environmental disasters and pollution caused by criminals and villains while also educating humanity so as to keep it from happening.
Gaia, the spirit of the planet, assembled this diverse team of “planeteers,” Kwame, hailing from Ghana, Africa who possessed the power of Earth. Wheeler, from New York, U.S.A. Wheeler controlled the power of fire. Linka, from the Soviet Union. Linka had the power of wind. Gi, hailing from Japan; Gi controlled the power of water. Ma-Ti, from the Amazon of Brazil. Ma-Ti wielded the power of heart.
Whenever, the planeteers faced a situation they couldn’t resolve alone, they would combine their powers summoning Captain Planet who possessed all of their powers magnified. Captain Planet would immediately spring into action to eliminate the threat to the planet. Once his work was done, Captain Planet would leave the Earth, and left the planeteers with the message, “The power is yours!”
While Jesus was on Earth he had twelve disciples whom he trained for mission. He wanted them to know that as they embarked on their mission they would not be left empty-handed. And so he called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” -Luke 10:19 Thus, his disciples had the assurance that their mission for the Master could be accomplished.
Subsequent to his crucifixion at Calvary his disciples became discouraged. They struggled to understand how their great teacher could have been killed. And so after his resurrection, just prior to his ascension to heaven, he had to remind these disciples about their mission. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”- Mathew 28:18-20
He further added in that they would receive power after the Holy Ghost had come upon then. -Acts 1:8 We saw evidence of that empowerment on the day of Pentecost; when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, they spoke with tongues (in other languages). Peter the apostle stood up to preach and after his sermon three thousand persons got baptized.
The same power that was available in the early church is still available to us today. The Lord has blessed us with special gifts and talents equipping us not only for service, but also for us to live a successful life. There’s no limit to what we’re able to accomplish by faithful actions. The Holy Spirit is here as our guide and our only duty is to follow his bidding. When we’re faced with a situation that’s too much for us all we need to do is call on him and he’ll deliver us.
The Lord declares that he will grant his Holy Spirit to those who ask him. There’s no need for you to doubt your ability to carry forward the mission of Christ. He’s already said it. The power is yours.
