Fill Up Your Heart With The Holy Spirit.

Acts 6:13-15 -  The lying witnesses testified again that Stephen was constantly speaking against the Temple and against the laws of Moses. They declared, “We have heard him say that this fellow Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and throw out all of Moses’ laws.”  At this point everyone in the Council chamber saw Stephen’s face become as radiant as an angel’s!

 

Stephen arose quickly as a great man of faith and used the power of the Holy Spirit to preach and do great miracles.  He was elected at first as one of the elected to take care of the widows…but let God do so much more with him than what man decided he was capable of.

 

One of the character traits that Stephen picked up on early in his Christian walk was humility. He was such a powerful link to the growth of the early Christian church that the religious leaders got a Jewish cult named the Freedmen to lie about his teachings in their council. He was accused of teaching the opposite of what the Jews believed….but he sat silently in the court…not making a huge deal of the accusations they brought bout him.  Maybe it wasn't so much humility as it was his ability to ask God to keep him full of the Holy Spirit at all times.

 

God was so pleased with Stephen that He allowed the essence of God to manifest in Stephen’s face while he sat before the court. They accused him of lies…but Stephen’s face shone as if he were an angel.  They brought him before the court with the intent to harm him…to stop his preaching….but God allowed the power Stephen had learned to use from the Holy Spirit to keep him calm….to allow God to use what man meant for harm to glorify the Father.

 

I admit that I need to learn to use the power of the Holy Spirit to help me in all kinds of situations….to show that I trust God no matter what happens in my life that seems to be harming me at the time. I am better…I will testify that since I have been using God’s power to write this blog each morning…my temper has quietened…I have more peace than I ever did in tough situations…but I have not reached Stephen’s level. I needed this great reminder that God has my back …if I am doing what He called me to do.  He can take all forms of hurt and keep me so calm and focused on God in that moment of hurt that my face can shine with the love God. 

 

Father….thank you for the reminder that you can give me all the power I need to do anything you ask me to do.  Forgive me for the times that I have lost control…or limited what you can do through me because I have forgotten to ask for the Holy Spirit to fill me with your power. Help me to stay so focused on you that I remember to always call on you to help me in all things. Amen.

Loving God Is A Priviledge

Acts 5:38-42 - And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone:  for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:   But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it;  lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.    And to him they agreed:  and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.    And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.  

 

Peter and John had been arrested again ….for continuing to preach the gospel of Christ. An angel unlocked their doors that night and told them to go to the public square and preach some more. Large crowds gathered to hear them…or to beg them for healing.  The power of the Holy Spirit was so strong in Peter that some who just passed through his shadow were healed. God revealed to the frightened captain where they were when it was time for them to appear before the council…with the intention of having them killed. But God gave one of the Pharisees the courage to speak these wise words that Luke recorded ….to leave them alone and let time tell if they were truly of God.

 

The two were beaten and released…counting it a privilege to be persecuted for Christ’s sake. Then continued to preach and teach and heal…in spite of the strict warning from the religious leaders to stop.  They never backed down….they used every opportunity to teach something about God’s love. Every day they woke and used the power of the Holy Spirit to keep them strong…courageous…connected completely to God and His purpose for their lives.

 

What a great reminder to wake every morning and thank God for the privilege of loving Him. It is an honor to have been chosen to experience His love…I should count every opportunity to show His love to others that I can. His love was not meant to keep me protected in bubble wrap ….keeping me from ever experiencing adversity.  His love was meant for me to learn to walk through that adversity holding His hand…so others can see what it can do to give them life.

 

I am guilty of making it more about me that Him most days.  I wake and thank Him for another day…but I sure don’t thank Him for the possible bad that will happen that day.  I am learning to give thanks for the past trials and sufferings that He has allowed in my life. It is a very hard thing to do…but it releases a new kind of love and respect for who God is when you do it. It is one thing to thank God for the things that I perceive to be wonderful…the blessings that are obvious.  It is entirely another thing to thank God for the things we perceive to be bad. As Laura Story’s great song asks…What if your blessings come in teardrops? I have found that those teardrops open your heart to a whole new level of understanding of God’s mercy.

 

Father…thank you for reminding me that it is a privilege to love you. Forgive me for all the times that I have let my selfishness keep me from thanking you for what I perceive to be a bad thing. Help me to thank you in all things… so you can deepen my love for you and help power me like you did Peter and John to do your work. Amen.

Love The Person...AND...Take A Stand Against The Sin

Acts 4:16-20 - Saying, What shall we do to these men?  for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem;  and we cannot deny it.   But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.   And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.   For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 

 

Peter and John had healed a man lame from birth….and used the miracle to show the power of the Holy Spirit.  They preached with a boldness that nothing could touch…and ended up in jail when the religious leaders saw the crowd they drew. Peter had made a lot of mistakes…but the Holy Spirit gave him power after Jesus returned to Heaven to stand against any power that satan threw at him. He internalized the power that God sent him through the Holy Spirit and used it to never back down again.

 

What a great reminder to never live in our past.  We can make all the mistakes in the world…but when we let Jesus into our heart…those mistakes can be erased.  And when we tap into the power that the Holy Spirit can give us…we can become bold… courageous apostles that are not afraid to take a stand for the truth of Christ.  God gives us the power to claim victory over any hold satan eve had on our heart and life.  The Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome any adversity that satan means to destroy our connection with God.

 

Satan will lie to you and trick you into believing that you have no power over the world. But the truth is that God will allow you to overcome anything that weakens your ability to love and follow Him.  I admit that it is hard to take a stance in this world that seems to be passing law after law that is clearly contrary to what the Bible teaches.  I also admit that there is a very fine line between taking a stance against something and still loving the people who have been tricked into following the lies.  I struggle daily with that fine line ….of learning to love the people who need Christ and finding a way to stand up for the truth that the Bible left us to live by.  We are called to love everyone in the world…but not be of the world.

 

Father thank you for the reminder to let you be in me so that I can be exactly what you need be to the world you are trying to save. Forgive me for the times that I never tap into your power….or let the world control my choices.  Help me to be bold and courageous like Peter and John…because they let you fill them with power from the Holy Spirit. Give me an ability to love the person who has been tricked into sin…so that I can let God use me to reveal the truth. Amen.

Don't Judge...Just Glorify God

Acts 3:2-6 -  And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;   Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.    And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.    And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.    Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none;  but such as I have give I thee:  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  

 

Peter and John had gone to the Temple for the afternoon prayer time.  They encountered a man lame from birth who laid by the most used gate of the Temple to beg each day. He asked them for what he asked everyone else that entered that gate…an alm…his only means of support in life.

 

Little did he know that his life was about to be changed forever by the two disciples that saw it as an opportunity to glorify God. He asked for the smallest thing…but got a complete healing …the ability to walk where no ability had ever been before. Peter and John took that moment to ask in Jesus’ name for a mighty miracle….giving the man way more than a simple piece of money to support him.

 

It sure expands my thoughts about the many beggars I see from time to time.  I can remember the signs they held…. need a ride….haven’t eaten for a week….need gas to get back home….stranded with my family and need diapers. Sure I stopped when I felt led and did what I could…I have also passed by many that I let my heart think was bogus….but I have never been so bold as Peter and John…asking in Jesus name for Him to provide what they needed.  I simply shoved the thing I bought….or the money I got out of my purse…or followed them to the gas station to fill up their tank…then left them with a simple blessing.

 

I needed the reminder that it is not my place to judge or wonder who really needs what they are asking for.  It is my responsibility to bring them as much of God’s love as I can…not stopping with the obvious giving of what they asked for. God has so much more than I have ever imagined….I limit Him so many times because I don’t think more like Jesus….I don’t see the fullness of what God can do when we ask in Jesus name.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are capable of anything.  Forgive me for the times that I have limited what I receive from you…and give less than I could to others.  Help me to stay so in touch with the presence of the Holy Spirit that I remember to pray in your name for what I and others need from you. Amen.

Tap Into The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-4 -  Seven weeks had gone by since Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost had now arrived. As the believers met together that day,  suddenly there was a sound like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on their heads. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in languages they didn’t know, for the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

 

The followers had waited 7 weeks.  They met with each other to gain strength….pray for guidance and wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. It came when they least expected it….. in a dramatic display of sound and visual effects.  A mighty roar…like a great windstorm…then flames settled on their heads that looked to all to be in the shape of a tongue.  Then they all started speaking in languages they did not know as the Holy Spirit filled them all with the power of God.

 

It had a great purpose.  Many Jews from many nations had come to the Festival of Weeks. The apostles only knew Greek and Hebrew…and possibly Aramaic.  But as the Holy Spirit filled them they spoke in the languages of all that had assembled there.  Each person in attendance heard the gospel in the clearest form of his/her language.

 

For some reason…God allowed me to miss a connecting flight on my way home from CA…so I have some layover time in Charlotte NC this morning.  As I wait for a possible standby seat on the earliest flight out…I can hear the roar of the engines of the planes outside the gate where I wait. There are several others around me…of different nationalities around me as a wait…so I can hear them all converse in their native languages. The sun is shining bright through the window where I sit…but that is as close to the scene as I can get in this moment.

 

I am reminded that our world still needs the power the Holy Spirit can give us.  I know that I am depending on it right now to stay calm and not worry about the possibility that  might be hanging out in the airport till 10:00pm tonight….(its only 8:00 am right now). I know my friend who just texted me for prayer needs a huge dose of Holy Spirit to help her stay calm as she deals with some pretty serious health issues that her mom is going through. And I am sure that someone in this airport needs some Holy Spirit for something….possibly something that God will use me to help with as I wait.

 

The Holy Spirit is not limited to giving us new languages to speak in.  It gives us strength…. courage…. boldness….confidence…..self-control…insight….new abilities….authority….just to name a few powers it gives to believers. I am guilty of not remembering to ask God to fill me daily with its power…so I can be the most effective worker for him.  I can just imagine what I could do for him if I tapped into the Holy Spirit’s power more each day.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that you gave us a powerful tool to help us be the best that we can be.  Forgive me for the times that I forget to call on it for help and do things in my own power.  Help me to be more aware of my need to depend on your power…and let you guide me as you did these great new Christians that were the first to experience the power the Holy Spirit has to help us live and do your work.  Amen.

You Can Be Replaced

Acts 1:23-26 -  The assembly nominated two men: Joseph Justus (also called Barsabbas) and Matthias.  Then they all prayed for the right man to be chosen. “O Lord,” they said, “you know every heart; show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas the traitor, who has gone on to his proper place.”  Then they drew straws, and in this manner Matthias was chosen and became an apostle with the other eleven.

 

Jesus had disappeared into the clouds and left the disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit to take His place till He returned. So they left the Mount of Olives where they watched Him rise into the clouds ….returned the short way back to Jerusalem…and gathered in the upstairs room where they were staying to pray. They stayed there for many days…praying….waiting for the promise …and letting God help them know what to do in the meantime.

 

One of the things He revealed to them was the need to replace Judas…the one who had betrayed Jesus.  They nominated two men that God laid on their hearts….then drew straws to let God let them know which one would be best.  Then Peter began to speak to them about the importance of all that had happened while they had been with Jesus.

 

I am reminded by this time in the disciple’s lives that when I choose not to do what God has asked me to do…I will be replaced with someone that is willing and ready to follow Him anywhere and everywhere. Judas chose self over God…and even though God used it as part of His plan …(remember God knew what Judas was going to do)….it could not go unjudged.

 

I also find comfort in the promise of the Holy Spirit. It empowers all believers to have extra strength…courage…confidence….boldness….insight…..ability…and authority on Earth to do what God leads us to do.  We don’t have to wonder about what God is thinking…we can use the Holy Spirit to know…that we know…that we know what He is telling us He wants us to do.  I don’t have to depend upon my own strength and will…I have access to the Holy Spirit’s power to help me accomplish all things through Christ.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that your love includes a 24/7 hotline to the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for the times that I have chosen self over Your will….and you have replaced me with someone more willing to do your desire.  Help me to always remember that my ways will never accomplish your full will...so I will call on you to give me strength and courage to follow you no matter what.  Amen.

Grow Up...Feed God's Sheep....Not Yourself

John21:17-18 -  Once more he asked him, “Simon, son of John, are you even my friend?  ”Peter was grieved at the way Jesus asked the question this third time. “Lord, you know my heart; you know I am,” he said.  Jesus said, “Then feed my little sheep. When you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will direct you and take you where you don’t want to go.”

 

Jesus appeared to a few of the disciples that went fishing on the Lake of Galilee one morning. Even though they had not caught any fish…they followed Jesus’ directions to cast the net on the other side of the boat and caught so many the net should have torn from the weight.  They sat and ate a breakfast of fish and bread while they visited for the third time since His resurrection.

 

He pulled Peter off by himself to chat about His true feelings.  He asked Him three times if Peter was His friend. Perhaps to remind Peter about the three denials he had made before His crucifixion….perhaps to meet Peter at His level of dedication for the moment…..perhaps just to let Peter know He loved him no matter what he had done. Then He spoke the strong message tat it was time for Peter to let go of the past….enter into a new frame of mind that was more self-sacrificial….and follow Christ the same way He had loved him.

 

What a great reminder that Jesus calls us all to a new level of love when we come to know him. We can be children…demanding our own way …pitching that tantrum…crying in the isles of life for what we want…crying and having pity parties when things go south so bad we just don’t understand.  OR…we can follow Jesus’ directions and grow up …stretch out our hearts and hands to what God called us to….be a servant to others like Jesus modeled for us.

 

I admit that it is not the easy road to take.  I admit that I can’t count the many times that I have failed to be the grown up. I take so much comfort in the promise that God will never leave or forsake us….He takes us back with open arms …just like He took Peter back after His epic failure to keep the promise He made to the best friend He ever had. Jesus allows us to be human…He forgives what we ask and reinstates us to use our failure to speak His love to others.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that you love us beyond what we can understand. Thank you for the reminder that love calls me to be a grown up in Christ…to let go of my childish ways and be strong in the love that only you can give me.  Forgive me for the many times that I have let the world trick me into sitting in my failures and pain for longer than I needed to learn the lesson you intended when you allowed that pain and failure in my life.  Help me to lean completely on you…and let your love strengthen and guide me to a deeper understanding of your love for me.  Amen.