Nothing Happens Without The Holy Spirit

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. — Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

I remember travelling to teach at a Bible school overseas. As soon as I arrived, I noticed a phrase repeatedly appearing in conversation:

“Nothing ever happens around here.”

As the first few days passed, I could sense exactly what they meant. I was teaching about leadership — yet something felt spiritually flat. There was very little atmosphere. No expectancy. No life around the altar.

Then midway through the week, it suddenly dawned on me.

I closed my Bible and asked the students directly:

“Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?”

The room froze.

One student nervously replied, “Well… we don’t really believe in all the Holy Spirit stuff.”

Another admitted, “I was raised Baptist.”

Someone else added, “I think all that stuff is weird.”

I asked if anyone there had experienced the Holy Spirit personally.

Two students cautiously raised their hands.

“Do either of you speak in tongues?” I asked.

One quietly admitted he did.

“Well then,” I smiled, “go on.”

He looked horrified.

“What?! Here? In front of everyone?!”

“Yes,” I replied. “Why not?”

Trembling, he began quietly praying in tongues. The classroom physically shifted away from him as though he had suddenly become contagious!

From that moment onward, all I taught that week was the necessity of the Holy Spirit.

Some students became deeply emotional as we explored the reality that if Jesus Himself ministered in dependence upon the Spirit, how arrogant it is for us to imagine we can build powerful ministries without Him.

No wonder “nothing ever happens around here,” I thought.

Nothing truly supernatural happens without the Holy Spirit.

When Heaven Floods the Altar

We are all like those frightened, doubting disciples until heaven floods the altar of our lives.

But when the Spirit comes — when His waterfalls of power, presence and purpose flood our brokenness — something divine begins growing within us. The character of Christ emerges naturally. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control begin growing within us the way fruit naturally grows upon healthy trees.

There is a divine release of life.

And that is why any church that desires more than human effort, polished strategy and religious performance must intentionally cultivate a culture of outpouring — privately and corporately.

Because altars only burn continually when heaven keeps sending fire.

The Church Must Burn Again

The early Church never relied merely upon intellect, systems or organisation. They depended upon the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. They prayed until heaven moved. They waited until power came. And when the Spirit was poured out, ordinary people became carriers of extraordinary glory.

The same remains true today.

We can build polished programmes, excellent worship and clever strategies, yet still lack the fire that transforms human hearts.

But when the Holy Spirit is welcomed, honoured and given room to move, the atmosphere changes. Conviction deepens. Worship softens hearts. Prayer becomes alive. Faith rises. Hunger awakens.

The altar begins to burn again.

An extract from The ALTAR by Jarrod Cooper. Order Your Copy Below 👇

Believe & Confess Meditation & Declaration

I will not rely upon human strength, intellect or performance, but upon the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). The Spirit of God will fill my life afresh and release His love, joy, peace and power within me daily (Galatians 5:22-23). I will cultivate an altar of prayer, worship and surrender where the fire of heaven can continually fall (Leviticus 6:12-13). The Holy Spirit will empower me to live boldly, minister effectively and walk closely with Jesus (Acts 1:8). I will remain open, sensitive and responsive to the moving of the Spirit in my life and church (Romans 8:14). God will transform dry places into rivers of life as His presence floods weary hearts once again (John 7:37-38). I will hunger continually for fresh outpourings of the Holy Spirit upon my life, my family and my generation (Ephesians 5:18).

👉 If this devotional stirred your heart, why not share it with friends on social media or forward it by email to someone longing for fresh fire and a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit today?

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THE ALTAR

Creating lives & cultures ready to host the glory of God.

Something is stirring.

Across the world, hunger for God’s presence is rising—and many are asking: how do we truly host His glory?

In The Altar, Jarrod Cooper calls us back to the place where heaven meets earth—the altar. A place of encounter, devotion, and transformation.

This book will help you:
• Deepen your personal encounter with God
• Build a lifestyle of worship
• Hear His voice clearly
• Create cultures that carry His presence

This isn’t just a book—it’s a call.
When the altar is restored, the fire falls again.

 Order Your Copy Here