The first of the named judges was Othniel. What was his secret? The Spirit of the Lord came upon him. There is no substitute for the Spirit of God. Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon you and you shall be My witnesses” (see Acts 1:8). We must be those who seek the fullness, the power, and the anointing of the Spirit if we are to be used effectively for the Kingdom; for while the Spirit indwells every believer at the moment of conversion, His “coming upon” ministry uniquely empowers every believer for service. Every believer has the Holy Spirit. The question is, Does the Holy Spirit have every believer?

How does the Spirit come upon us? When, like the Israelites, we cry out and say, “Father I need the power of the Spirit. I’m tired of being in bondage. I’m tired of the drought within. I want to be filled with You and used by You for Your glory.” Jesus said, “If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Ghost to them that ask?” (see Luke 11:13).