“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” Acts 19:6.
When Paul laid his hands on these twelve disciples in Ephesus, there was an outward display of speaking in other languages and in prophetic words. It is very interesting that there was a public demonstration of God’s blessing in their lives. Everyone who was present became aware of what God had done in that moment. Even these twelve men knew that something different and special had happened in them and through them. They had evidence that the Holy Spirit of God had come to them.
I remember a few times in my life where I was keenly aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in and around me and the group that I was with. Once, I even felt the Spirit was doing “surgery” on me on His “operating table.” I am not exactly sure what work He was doing, but I knew for sure at the time that I was on the ground, as if on the operating table, and that something was happening within me. My eyes were closed and I sensed a peace and a joy all around me and in me. It was as if I was under His anesthesia and He was doing the work necessary on me in the moment. It was an amazing time, and I wish that I could have stayed right there! It was an outward manifestation of the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, which I am so thankful to have experienced.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced any outward expression of the Holy Spirit’s work within you? If so, what do you remember about that time? If not, would you be interested in having some outward expression of the Holy Spirit’s work within you?
Prayer: Father, I desire to be filled afresh with Your Holy Spirit. It is not that I want to have the experience, in and of itself. I desire to know You better, and if the fresh filling of the Holy Spirit will do that, I want it. Amen.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
July 21, 2011 - Acts 19:4
“Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’” Acts 19:4.
Upon arriving in Ephesus, Paul asked some disciples that he encountered what baptism they had accepted and believed. They responded that they had received John’s baptism for repentance, and that they were trying to live a holy life as a result. Paul realized that they didn’t have the power of God that alone would enable these disciples to actually be successful in living a repentant life. They didn’t know Jesus, nor had they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who Jesus had sent to empower His disciples.
Sometimes, I observe that I am trying to live according to John’s baptism; that is, I am trying hard to live a repentant life. As a result, I find myself in a “sin management” phase of my journey. Because I am doing it on my own strength, I continually fall short and mess up. It is not until I receive freely the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, that I am able to release myself into the arms of the One who can do all things within and through me. On my own, I always fail; released into God’s arms, I can walk freely in the Holy Spirit.
Questions to consider: Whose baptism do you find yourself living under, John’s or Jesus’? Have you truly experience what it means to live under the Holy Spirit’s power? Have you ever asked for God to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit?
Prayer: Father, I desire to walk in Your strength and not my own. I continually fail to walk a repentant life on my own. I need to be filled afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Please fill me in a new way today. Amen.
Upon arriving in Ephesus, Paul asked some disciples that he encountered what baptism they had accepted and believed. They responded that they had received John’s baptism for repentance, and that they were trying to live a holy life as a result. Paul realized that they didn’t have the power of God that alone would enable these disciples to actually be successful in living a repentant life. They didn’t know Jesus, nor had they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who Jesus had sent to empower His disciples.
Sometimes, I observe that I am trying to live according to John’s baptism; that is, I am trying hard to live a repentant life. As a result, I find myself in a “sin management” phase of my journey. Because I am doing it on my own strength, I continually fall short and mess up. It is not until I receive freely the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, that I am able to release myself into the arms of the One who can do all things within and through me. On my own, I always fail; released into God’s arms, I can walk freely in the Holy Spirit.
Questions to consider: Whose baptism do you find yourself living under, John’s or Jesus’? Have you truly experience what it means to live under the Holy Spirit’s power? Have you ever asked for God to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit?
Prayer: Father, I desire to walk in Your strength and not my own. I continually fail to walk a repentant life on my own. I need to be filled afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Please fill me in a new way today. Amen.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
July 14, 2011 - Acts 18:27
“When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.” Acts 18:27.
Apollos was having great success in Ephesus, preaching the good news concerning Jesus. He now had a more full understanding about the work of the Holy Spirit, having been taught by Priscilla and Aquila. He sensed that he should travel on to the region of Achaia. This is the region in Greece where Corinth is located. Apollos evidently did not desire to go without the consent of the brothers in Ephesus. These brothers showed their consent to Apollos by encouraging him and writing a letter of introduction to the followers of Jesus in Achaia.
What I found interesting about this verse was Apollos’ submission of his trip to Achaia to the spiritual leadership in Ephesus. These brothers did not appear to function alone or individually. They recognized that their strength and protection lay in seeking the Lord’s guidance as a community rather than relying on their own personal insight. This sense of being sent out with the blessing of the leadership provided a base of support that would carry Apollos through difficult times ahead.
This is definitely not the way it is in today’s culture, where the individual is more important than the community. Personal independence and freedom are lifted up as the way we should live. We rely on our own instincts more than submitting our will to a group of people or a community. This was quite a trip for Apollos and it certainly appears that he relied on the voice of the community for guidance in his life.
Questions to consider: How do you function in a spiritual community? Is there a group of people with whom you can discuss your important decisions? Is it more important for you to function independently or in a community?
Prayer: Father, help me to recognize the importance of connecting with some trusted people when discussing big decisions. Please remind me that “in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Remind me to not act alone, but to build relationships of trust with others. Amen.
Apollos was having great success in Ephesus, preaching the good news concerning Jesus. He now had a more full understanding about the work of the Holy Spirit, having been taught by Priscilla and Aquila. He sensed that he should travel on to the region of Achaia. This is the region in Greece where Corinth is located. Apollos evidently did not desire to go without the consent of the brothers in Ephesus. These brothers showed their consent to Apollos by encouraging him and writing a letter of introduction to the followers of Jesus in Achaia.
What I found interesting about this verse was Apollos’ submission of his trip to Achaia to the spiritual leadership in Ephesus. These brothers did not appear to function alone or individually. They recognized that their strength and protection lay in seeking the Lord’s guidance as a community rather than relying on their own personal insight. This sense of being sent out with the blessing of the leadership provided a base of support that would carry Apollos through difficult times ahead.
This is definitely not the way it is in today’s culture, where the individual is more important than the community. Personal independence and freedom are lifted up as the way we should live. We rely on our own instincts more than submitting our will to a group of people or a community. This was quite a trip for Apollos and it certainly appears that he relied on the voice of the community for guidance in his life.
Questions to consider: How do you function in a spiritual community? Is there a group of people with whom you can discuss your important decisions? Is it more important for you to function independently or in a community?
Prayer: Father, help me to recognize the importance of connecting with some trusted people when discussing big decisions. Please remind me that “in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Remind me to not act alone, but to build relationships of trust with others. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
