As athletes, you understand the importance of having physical power. You train by running, jumping, lifting, stretching and pushing your bodies to increase your dynamic and explosive power.

Just as physical power is necessary for sports, spiritual power is essential for Christian living.

The story of Jesus’ resurrection is powerful and inspiring, and His victory over sin and death has secured eternal life for those who believe in Him.

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

Athlete, not only do we have the promise of eternal life in heaven, but we also have the promise of victorious living now. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10).

I’m looking forward to heaven, but how do I access the spiritual power that God has promised me so that I can live in victory today?

Like specific exercises used to develop physical power, there are specific “exercises” that are God-designed to help us develop spiritual power. Let’s take a close look at some ways that we can grow in power.

We can be empowered through the practice of many Christian disciplines like prayer, reading God’s Word, fellowshipping with believers, serving others, worshipping and even tithing.

While all these sources will strengthen us, the foundation of our power is the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Who is the Holy Spirit?

• The Holy Spirit is God, and the third Person of the Trinity.

When do I receive the Holy Spirit?

• The Holy Spirit moves into our hearts at the moment we believe. “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13 ESV).

What does the Holy Spirit do in my life?

• He reminds us about all that Jesus taught (John 14:26)
• He is a personal witness to testify about Christ (John 15:26)
• He convicts us of sin (John 16:8)
• He intercedes in prayer for us (Romans 8:26)
• He produces godly character in our lives (Galatians 5:22,23)
• He guides us to truth (John 16:13)
• He brings glory to Jesus (John 16:14)

When I trusted Christ as my Lord and Savior many years ago, the Holy Spirit transformed my life in such a radical way that I was a completely new person, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

A prayer to consider: Lord, help us embrace and yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today.