Have you ever been outside during a thunderstorm? Camping next to the Snake River beneath the Grand Tetons once, I witnessed what seemed to me the biggest thunderstorm ever. Separated from nature by only a thin sheet of canvas, electric streaks shooting across the sky, my body shaking from the percussion of thunder, I never questioned the existence of God. I just wanted to be on His team.

There is a security in the enormous power of nature. It is awesome. Everything man can do or even the combined effort of all men is simply miniscule by comparison. No, I'm not worried about my carbon footprint or man's impact on global warming.

One lightning bolt, if only for a split second, can reach a temperature more than double the surface of the sun. A leader of a bolt of lightning can travel at speeds of 60,000 miles per second.

A single lightning strike can carry enough electricity to power 10 million homes for one month. The Atlanta Journal reported that one lightning storm can discharge enough energy to supply the entire nation with electricity for 20 minutes. And there are over 16 million lightning storms every year.

A fascinating characteristic of nature's power is its invisibility. Only the effects are seen. In fact Jesus turns to nature to explain the power of God to Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes." (John 3:8 NKJ)

After watching fellow citizens of Samaria being healed and speak in tongues it was apparent, even to Simon the Sorcerer that this invisible power was given through the laying on of hands. So he did a dumb thing. "He offered them money, saying Give me this power also..." Acts 8:18-19 NKV) Simon was so overwhelmed when he saw the genuine article he was immediately struck with the sense that his magic was only a crude form of spiritual power. But trying to obtain the Holy Spirit with money is like plugging in an extension cord while standing in a puddle of water. Some things are too valuable to be obtained with money.

It's obvious that God has been giving His Spirit to men for centuries. The Prophet Micah wrote, "But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD." (Micah 3:8)

But Prophets aren't the only recipients of God's Spirit. Paul testified that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

That such a powerful spirit is available to man is an awe-inspiring thought.

Until next time,