©August 4, 2012 Revive Israel Ministries

Spirit and Power

In the New Covenant, particularly in the writings of Luke, we repeatedly find the double expression "spirit and power."

1. John the Baptist was to come in the "spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17)

2. Miriam (Mary), the mother of Yeshua, was to conceive because "the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35)

3. The disciples were to receive "power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you“(Acts 1:8).

The Spirit and the power are linked together but they are not the same. The Spirit is a person, the power is a thing. The Holy Spirit is God; the power is energy. We can use the power of God, but we cannot use the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God directs us, leads us, and teaches us. The power is put into operation by our faith. We submit to the Spirit of God; the power submits to us.

What is the difference between a person and a thing? An electrician is a person; electricity is a thing. When the electrician comes to your house, he connects the electricity. You invite the electrician in and treat him with courtesy. Then you use the electricity according to the instructions.

When Yeshua was immersed in water, the Spirit of God came upon Him in the form of a dove (Luke 3:21). There is no mention of the power of God. Then the Holy Spirit led Yeshua into the desert for a test of holiness by being tempted of the devil (Luke 4:1). Again there is no mention of the power. However, after the temptations were finished, Yeshua returned "in the power of the Spirit to Galilee" (Luke 4:14).

Yeshua received the Holy Spirit by passing through the waters of repentance, forgiveness, and submission. There was no other requirement or test. He did this as a pattern and example for us. Anyone who repents and is immersed for the forgiveness of sins in the name of Yeshua can receive the Holy Spirit as a gift of grace (Acts 2:38). All one has to do is ask (Luke 11:13).

Before Yeshua received the impartation of power, He prayed, fasted for 40 days, and resisted the temptations of the devil. In our lives as well, prayer, fasting, fighting the devil, and passing the tests of obedience from God will increase spiritual power and anointing in our lives.

Notice that the three primary tests in the wilderness had to do with misuse of the power of God; that is, using the power of God out of the wrong motivations (Luke 4:3-13). If God knows we will use the power for the right reasons, He can increase the anointing. Using the power of God for the wrong reasons amounts to a form of witchcraft, even if we try to use the name of Yeshua to justify it (Acts 8:18-23).

Many believers today who love God are missing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps this is because we are flooded with media influences, worldly worries, and social pressures.  If we want more of the anointing, we must seek out desert-type experiences instead of indulging in pillow-culture comforts.  

New Teaching on You Tube

See and hear Asher's full teaching on "Spirit and Power" in this new free teaching on You Tube, so that we can be more capable of separating ourselves from worldly influences,  accessing the power of the Holy Spirit, and experiencing God's  presence.

Click here to view the video: www.youtube.com/user/reviveisraeltv
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Ends of the Earth

Again we ask for your prayers as we seek to fulfill Yeshua's great commission to be His witnesses from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Our team and congregational members will be serving and teaching in the following nations this week:

John and Tikvah – Poland
Sarah V – Thailand
Ariel and Vered – returning from China
Asher, Betty, Hezi, Odelia, Youval, Valerie, and Anja – ministering at prophecy-teaching conference in Valence, France.
David and Sara M, Yoel J – Argentina
Evan and Elisa – United States
Or, Vered, and Avi - Africa
Herut – Ukraine

Sinai Fence

In 1979 Israel gave back the huge land mass of the Sinai Desert in exchange for the peace treaty with Egypt. This past year has seen a turnover of the Egyptian government and new terror activity on the Sinai border. The demilitarization of the Sinai Peninsula was the buffer zone that strengthened the peace agreement. With that buffer now in jeopardy, the Israeli Defense department is investing in a huge project to build a security fence along that border.

There are 242 kilometers of extremely difficult terrain. Over 1,000 workers are employed on the project that, because of the intense work schedule, and despite almost unbearable working conditions, is due to be finished in October. Colonel Eran Ophir, director of the project, claims that the sturdy fence, built of concrete, steel, iron, and barbed wire, will be virtually impenetrable (Yediot, Musaf Shabat, p. 16). Pray for Israel's borders to be protected from terror in the north from Hizbollah, the west from Hamas, and the south from Islamic Brotherhood.   

Desert Farm

Israel has been a leader in agricultural innovations and contributed significantly to improving food production and reducing hunger worldwide.

A farm business, owned by Messianic Jews in southern Israel, specializing in agro-technology and vegetable production for international markets, has a vision for advancing marketplace ministry in the land of Israel, contributing to the local economy, creating job opportunities, and pioneering new methods for more efficient use of natural resources.

For information on volunteer work, agricultural training, or joining the prayer and support group, please contact: desertfarminfo@gmail.com