This week we’ve talked about the importance of knowing God’s Word as you step out in faith to reach your world. We learned that you don’t have to be a scholar to witness, but God’s word will give you a passion for the lost, power in your speech, joy in your life, and a standard to live by. The last thing I want to tell you about the Bible is that in reading it, and getting to know it well, you will find great blessing.

Psalm 1 says, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Reading the Bible is not a chore. It’s not something you are forced to do either. It’s something we are privileged to do- and it is a joy. If we meditate on God’s word often, we will be blessed. It’s not we might be blessed, the scriptures say we will be blessed.

And if the Bible says something will happen, you can count on it. I’ve found this to be true in my own life, and I know you will too. Read your Bible today, and as you’re blessed, go out and bless others.

How many of us want power, fight for power, dream of power, and dream of power? We all long for power - in spiritual areas and in human areas. But do you know how to achieve the kind of power that comes from God?

Jesus Christ tells us how to receive His power in Acts 1:8: He says, “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and even to the ends of the world.”

Real power is the power of God indwelling us. When we have His Holy Spirit in us, we have authority to be Christ’s witnesses to our world. How does this work? As you listen to the Spirit of God, and obey Him, you’ll be making wise choices.

You’ll be speaking winsome and prophetic words. If you do what the Spirit tells you to do, there is authority and there’s power as you act with conviction. You’ll have a supernatural authority that’s delegated from God to you.

And the world will take notice! If you obey the voice of Jesus, there will be power unleashed. And things will happen that you can’t even begin to imagine!

The Holy Spirit will give us power to see the impossible accomplished. So don’t give up sharing the Good News with your world. Remember, you have power and authority from on high!

The book of Acts, chapter 8, tells us one of the most miraculous evangelistic accounts in the Bible! It starts in verse 26: “An angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south on the road – the desert road – that goes south from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So [Philip] started out…” When Philip arrived on the desert road, he found an Ethiopian eunuch reading the book of Isaiah.

But this man was confused - he needed someone to explain the Scriptures to him. So Philip described that Isaiah was actually prophesying about Jesus Christ. Immediately, the Ethiopian believed in the Lord, and asked to be baptized!

That’s a powerful story isn’t it? Yet the Ethiopian’s conversion wouldn’t have happened if Philip didn’t listen - and obey - the voice of the Lord. No excuses. No hesitation. When the angel told Philip to go, he went!

God has amazing victories in store for us if we simply listen to His voice, and obey. So let’s you and I spend time in God’s Word! Let’s talk with Him in prayer! Then, when He prompts us to witness to our world, we’ll be ready to do it!

Why does it seem that some believers suddenly turn away from God? I believe one of the biggest reasons Christians fall away from Jesus is because of un-confessed sin.

Without keeping a clear conscience before the Lord, it’s easy to drift away from the faith. You become hardened to the Spirit of God, and eventually you stop listening to His voice altogether. Sin blinds you and enslaves you. It’s a horrible place to be!

Perhaps this describes your situation. Are you struggling with a sin that’s keeping you from a right relationship with God? If so, Galatians 5 gives a very clear remedy. Verse 26 says, “Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

If you belong to Jesus, then there’s only one thing to do with the flesh: Crucify it. Get rid of it. Be ruthless. Don’t play games. Deal with your sins once and for all by crucifying them on the cross.

That means you admit your sin to God, repent, ask forgiveness, and turn the other way. Ask the Holy Spirit for strength and He will help you! By crucifying the flesh, you will be empowered to live what Jesus calls the ’abundant life.’ Your life will be a powerful witness to your world of God’s forgiveness and grace.