Do you actually believe that…

Jesus said that with the power of the Holy Spirit we will be able to do the things he did, and even greater things!

John 14:12-17 says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Is this something we actually believe? The Bible speaks of some amazing things the Spirit has done through people. Here are some crazy things that people did by the power of the Spirit, and some other actions of the Spirit.

• The Spirit of God is active in creation. (Genesis 1:2)
• People prophesy. (Numbers 11:26, 1 Samuel 10:6, Luke 1:67)
• Elijah runs faster than a horse drawn chariot. (1 Kings 18:46)
• Samson breaks out of his bonds and kills 1,000 men with a jawbone! He also rips apart a lion with his bare hands! (Judges 15:14-16, Judges 14:6)
• There is judgment, and wars are won by the power of the Spirit. (Judges 3:10)
• The Spirit of the Lord is able to clothe people. (Judges 6:34, 2 Chronicles 24:20)
• Mary conceived as a virgin. (Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:35)
• The Spirit transported Philip away. (Acts 8:39)
• People teach accurately. (Acts 18:25)
• People are washed, sanctified, and justified by the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
• The Spirit of the Lord provides freedom by its presence. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
• The Holy Spirit teaches and helps us remember things. (John 14:26)
• People spoke in tongues by the power of the Spirit. (Acts 2:4)
• Peter, through the Holy Spirit, is able to heal a man. (Acts 3:6)
• Peter preached by the Power of the Spirit and about three thousand people were saved! (Acts 2:41)
• Believers speak boldly by the power of the Spirit. (Acts 4:8, Acts 4:31)
• The Spirit spoke to people. (Acts 13:2)
• We are washed and renewed by the Spirit. (Titus 3:5)
• Jesus lived his sinless life filled with the Spirit. (Luke 4:1)

Am I saying that we will be able to run super fast, rip apart lions with our bare hands, and be transported away? No. But do we actually believe these things happened? To recognize that these things really did happen to normal sinful people like us is mind blowing! I would encourage you to not limit God with what He can do in your life. Whether you encourage somebody by the power of the Spirit, or are used by God to reach thousands of people for Christ, do not limit God. We have Him, the Holy Spirit indwelling us. He is more than able to do incredible things through us.