Empowered

Psalm 12:1
 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

Acts 4:8a
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit...

verse 31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Why do these verses parallel to each other?  It is in the area that because people are lacking the Spirit of God and is walking in our desires and flesh, we do not any more experience the greater power of God that came about during the time of the Apostles.  The Psalmist is honest - faithful and loyal people have now vanished from the human race.  How?  We have not allowed the Spirit of God to penetrate within our hearts any longer... We put Him aside.  

If we just let the Holy Spirit be acknowledged again, and live our lives boldly and courageously regardless all the trials and tribulations that life brings, then we can expect more people to hear about the Gospel and receive it (Acts 4:4).  When we do not hold back from allowing the Holy Spirit to be our guide and really walk a Spirit-filled life, then we can impact more people for Christ. 

The key is - the Holy Spirit - our empowerment, our guide, our direction, our inner most conviction.  

// Today, I will be more sensitive to the leading of the Spirit in my life - and will do so daily, until I grow more and more in the knowledge of Christ Jesus.  Why am I not as 'open' to the Spirit as I was in the past? Because of some hurt and pain that the enemy used to put me down and discourage me and creep in so I become ineffective... But NO MORE!  I know that I can be twice as effective as I was in the past - as long as I live according to the leading of the Spirit.  I will be obedient.  I will trust Him.  And when fear creeps again, I will shun it away in the name of Jesus!

// Lord, I pray that you strengthen me when fear creeps in again.. I renounce that spirit of fear and I break every power of it in the name of Jesus.  I will obey You Lord and I want your Spirit to be more evident in my life.  I have your Holy Spirit - you live in me and I will walk in Your truth.  I want to be a loyal and faithful person.  I will walk with you and live an empowered life!  I thank you for You always give me new chances every day... I worship you, I honor you in Jesus' name, amen.