by the power of...

Kids in the 80's (like me) had the BEST cartoons.  We had GI Joe, Voltron, Thunder Cats and of course He-Man (my favorite!).  He-man was this awesome muscle-bound, sword-wielding super guy who fought the evil bad guys like Skeletor...but not just with his own (considerable) power; but with help.  Each episode, just as he was getting ready to head into battle, he would raise his sword and call upon the power of Greyskull (his castle) and get "charged up" to defeat the enemy.
 
This past week in church I encouraged you to "be like Jesus" and I want to emphasize that we can't do that on our own...at least not well and at least not for very long.  We need to call upon the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the power we need if we have a chance of living and loving like Jesus.
 
Look at the Disciples for example.  In the Gospels we see them trying hard to be good, trying hard to listen and obey...but time after time they mess up and fall short.  They are trying, but with their own power.  But in Acts they receive the power of the Holy Spirit and all of a sudden they are able to perform miracles, heal, teach with authority, speak in tongues...it's AMAZING!  But it isn't the power of the Disciples on display; it's the power of God working through them.
 
So yes, seek to be like Jesus.  Seek to live like Jesus.  Seek to love like Jesus.  But don't do it on your own.   Do it with God's amazing power.  Do it with the Holy Spirit power.
 
Amen!
 
In Christ,
Pastor Scott