Who Can Truly Empower?

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

Read John 16:12-15 and 1 Corinthians 2:9-16. In these verses, we see that it is the Holy Spirit—the third member of the Trinity, God’s very Spirit—who empowers us to perceive the Truth and follow God. He does this by indwelling us, making it possible for each of us to see Christ for who He is and live for Him here on earth. 

It is the Holy Spirit’s power that enables us to be born again, to enter the Kingdom of God, and to be called children of the living God. This is the same power God exercised at the formation of the universe and the same power that raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Indeed, this is the power that indwells all who believe in Christ Jesus.

We also see that the Holy Spirit is the only one who can help you overcome fear. He alone can empower you to not only understand the Word of God but also obey and live by it. This is the power that helps you do the impossible, believe in the impossible, and trust the God of the impossible.

The Holy Spirit even has the power to help us transcend the grief and pain that we experience in this broken world. By His awesome power, the very power that created the world, the Holy Spirit can heal your wounds. He will comfort and uphold you in the midst of pain, discouragement, and failure by sustaining you with His grace. And through the pain, He ultimately brings resurrection in your life. For “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Truly, the Spirit of God is the only one who can transform your pain into sweet victory as you walk with Christ.  

The Holy Spirit is the only one who can change lives. This is the power that the Spirit-filled Christian has for the purpose of knowing God and living an abundant, victorious life. And when you begin to comprehend the power of the Holy Spirit, by whom God longs for you to live, you will likely find yourself crying out to God, “Why did I not understand this for all these years?” And with this cry, you will begin to refuse to live anything less than the Spirit-empowered life. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for calling me to be Your child, sealed with the mark of Your Holy Spirit. May I receive the strength found only in Your Spirit to face every challenge of life with joy and a focus on You that leads me to praise and thanksgiving. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series Know Your Best Friend: LISTEN NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

  1. Asking for God’s Vision
  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
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