Numbers 27:18, "And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight."

Moses tenure as the God called leader of the children of Israel is about to end, the Lord has already told Moses to go to mount Abarim, and see the land which He had given to the children of Israel, and when he had seen it he would die. Joshua has been chosen by God to succeed Moses as the new leader of the children of Israel. His primary qualification is found in verse 18, "...a man in whom is the spirit."

Nothing of spiritual importance will ever be accomplished outside of the Holy Spirit of God being upon a person. Jesus preached, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) The Holy Spirit of God is the One who quicken or gives life. "...This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6.) Things are not accomplished in the power and might of human ability, but rather by the Holy Spirit. We are emboldened to witness by God's Spirit, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

There are numerous examples in the Bible of those who accomplished great things for God and all of them had something in common, the Holy Spirit was upon them. Please don't try to live your life today in your own power and strength, but depend upon the Holy Spirit of God to do in you that which otherwise would be insufficient. And certainly, no Christian leader should ever attempt to lead without the Spirit's power. "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)

Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What are some essential qualities that should be possessed by those who are Christian leaders?

2. What are the results of living in the power of the flesh?

3. What can be accomplished when one lives in the power of the Holy Spirit?

4. Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? How can you pursue the Spirit's filling in your life?

Spirit Filled Leadership