Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade #227 – Josh Howerton // Power Before Purpose
Date: November 13, 2025
Hosts: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Guest: Josh Howerton

Overview

In episode #227 of The Daily Blade, guest host Josh Howerton (pastor at Lake Point Church, Dallas) delivers a morning devotional focused on the biblical command to “be strong,” diving deep into what spiritual strength means for Christian men. Through scripture, personal testimony, and practical encouragement, Howerton emphasizes the necessity of receiving God’s power through the Holy Spirit before attempting to live out one’s calling, highlighting that real strength and revival come from being both “Word men” and “Spirit men.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Series Context: Five Commands from 1 Corinthians 16

• The episode is part of a series examining five imperatives directed at Christian men in 1 Corinthians 16.
• Commands covered so far:
  • Be watchful (Day 1)
  • Stand firm in the faith (Day 2)
  • Act like men / Be courageous (Day 3)
  • Today: Be strong (00:20)

2. What Does “Be Strong” Mean? (00:45)

• Howerton sets the tone by reframing “be strong” not as personal might but as reliance on divine power.

• Draws from Acts 1:8, where Jesus tells the apostles to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit before taking action.

  • “What he’s saying right there is that men of God, you gotta stay in before you go out, because if you go out before you stay in, you don’t have any power to go out with.” (02:20, Josh Howerton)

3. The Danger of a Gospel Without Power (03:05)

• Highlights the distinction between words and power in the Christian life.

• Cites personal transformation through a radical encounter with the Holy Spirit in 2008, shifting him from “words only” to a faith of “power.”

• References the verse: “The kingdom of God does not consist of talk, but of power.”

  • “I don’t want to be somebody that settles for a gospel, merely of words.” (03:25, Josh Howerton)

4. Word & Spirit: The R.T. Kendall Quote (04:00)

• Shares a quote from Bible teacher R.T. Kendall on the “divorce” between Word and Spirit in the Church.

• Emphasizes spiritual revival as the reunion of these two elements — applicable to churches and individuals.

  • “There are Word churches and there are Spirit churches. There’s been a great divorce in the church between Word and Spirit… revival happens when you bring those two back together.” (Quote paraphrased by Howerton, 04:14)
  • “A revival happens in a man’s life when he becomes both a Word man and a Spirit man.” (05:18, Josh Howerton)

5. Example: Paul’s Approach in Corinth (05:40)

• Outlines the background of Corinth as a wild, progressive, morally chaotic city, analogous to modern "college towns."

• Paul’s ministry was not based on rhetorical skill but on “demonstration of the Spirit and power.”

  • “For I did not come to you with wise or persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power.” (06:38, Paul via Howerton)

• Relates this to the need for men today to seek the same kind of Holy Spirit empowerment.

6. Practical Application: Asking for the Spirit’s Power (07:10)

• Encourages men to pause after the episode and ask God for a “fresh encounter” with the Holy Spirit, wherever they are.

• References Jesus’ teaching about God giving the Holy Spirit generously to those who ask (Luke 11:11-13).

  • “If you will just pause and with a yielded heart say, ‘Father, would you refresh me with a fresh power from your Spirit?’ If you will do that with a yielded heart… God will answer that prayer 100% of the time.” (07:30, Josh Howerton)

• Notes that God might prompt repentance or action in response to this prayer, and that transformative power is available to anyone who seeks it.

  • “Pray and ask God for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit. Why? So that you can be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, and be strong with the power that comes from the Lord.” (08:38, Josh Howerton)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Divine Power:
  “Men of God, you gotta stay in before you go out, because if you go out before you stay in, you don’t have any power to go out with.” (02:20, Josh Howerton)

• On Life Transformation:
  “I had a radical encounter with the Holy Spirit in 2008. My life was never, ever, ever the same.” (03:35, Josh Howerton)

• On the Modern Church:
  “There are Word churches and there are Spirit churches… revival happens when you bring those two back together.” (04:14, quoting/paraphrasing R.T. Kendall)

• On Revival in Men:
  “A revival happens in a man’s life when he becomes both a word man and a spirit man.” (05:18, Josh Howerton)

• On Prayer for Power:
  “If you will pray with a yielded heart, ‘Father, would you give me more of your Holy Spirit…’ He will answer that prayer.” (07:45, Josh Howerton)

Important Timestamps

• 00:20 – Series context and today’s theme overview (“be strong” command)
• 01:50 – Acts 1:8 and waiting for the Holy Spirit before acting
• 03:05 – Danger of a word-only gospel; personal Holy Spirit encounter
• 04:00 – Word vs. Spirit churches; R.T. Kendall quote
• 05:40 – Paul's ministry in Corinth as a model
• 07:10 – Practical steps: praying for the Spirit’s power
• 08:38 – Final challenge: ask for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit

Actionable Takeaway

After listening, take a few minutes to genuinely ask God for the power of the Holy Spirit in your life before moving forward with your day. Recognize that strength to be watchful, courageous, and faithful comes not from within, but from God's Spirit.

Tone & Language:
Direct, engaging, and encouraging. Howerton relates scriptural truths with personal anecdotes and practical exhortations, calling men to pursue both biblical depth and Spirit-filled living.

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