But Wait

 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

— Acts 1:4-5

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

I wonder if there is any greater evidence that God exists than to see a person baptized with the Holy Spirit. When someone has a genuine encounter with the Spirit, is baptized and begins speaking in a spiritual language they do not understand, and sense your presence with them, their eyes widen and they know, "This is real." This isn't made up, pretend, or fantasy. There is a God, He is who He says He is, and He is inhabiting me right now! It is a stunning thing to witness. But as stunning as that moment is, what is even more compelling is the transformation that takes place within that person.

Now, things that were confusing become clear. Fear that was gripping this person now gives way to courage and boldness. The ability to hear and discern your voice becomes greatly magnified. There is a power and compulsion to share Jesus with others. Lord, forgive me for mistakenly keeping this reality a secret. May I be forthright in sharing the available power through your Holy Spirit. May I equip your followers to have the power and boldness to keep your commands and no longer expect them to do it in their own strength. May I provide ample opportunity to receive your Holy Spirit and even create expectation that new believers in you will receive your Spirit. Lord, may your Church be empowered with courage, boldness, and ability that far exceeds what we possess naturally.

Gracious Lord, may Your Church be naturally supernatural as they are filled and baptized with Your Holy Spirit!

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No Retaliation

 "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." — 1 Peter 2:21-23 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Thank you for leaving me an example of how to respond when I am verbally chastised, insulted, and torn down. You did not retaliate. No deceit was found in Your mouth. When You suffered, You made no threats. Instead You entrusted Yourself to the Father who judges Your accusers justly. Yesterday, a respected young man named Charlie Kirk, 31, who stood for righteousness and civil discourse was assassinated while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Charlie Kirk has consistently been one of the calmest and most polite among us. He listened to questions from his o...
Read more

Suffering

 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3-4 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, We glory in our sufferings. The word Paul uses here means to "glory in a thing", "to boast", "to rejoice." He's contrasting his previous thought that we boast or rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We rejoice in our hope of God and  we rejoice in our sufferings. The picture forming in my mind is lifting hands, shouting with joy, as I rejoice in God and then doing the same thing in the midst of my suffering. Yeah. I don't do that. I don't rejoice when suffering comes. I do the opposite. I complain. I sulk. I moan. I am irritated. I am angry. I am resentful. But do I rejoice? No. Yet this is the very thing Paul says we are to do. And it's because of the incredible fruitfulness our suffering brings. Suffering produces perseverance....
Read more

Faithful Stewards

 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." — 1 Peter 4:8-11 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, This is the second time Peter instructs believers to love one another deeply, fervently. Our love for one another overlooks small offenses. Without our deep and fervent love, every little irritation becomes a grievance. It should not be that way in the body of Christ. Because this early church met in homes, hospitality was necessary. To be hospitable means welcoming people into your home, but ...
Read more