Posts Tagged ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’
Scripture reading for June 19th: Acts 12:24-13:15
We see the Holy Spirit deeply involved in the missions effort of the early church. At Antioch, the church met with various prophets and teachers gathering together for worship and fasting. During a worship service, the Holy Spirit spoke through one of the prophets, giving a word of knowledge and instruction. “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2) The church continued the time of fasting and worship and then laid hands on these men and sent them on their journey. The Holy Spirit had already been leading them and this word confirmed that now was the time to go.
They went by boat to the Island of Cyprus. They went to the Jewish synagogues and preached to the Jews the word of Christ. As they traveled, they met a Jewish false prophet and sorcerer named Elymas, who was an attendant to Sergius Paulus, the Proconsul of the island. Sergius Paulus sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. They were opposed by Elymas and he tried to hinder their ministry. The Holy Spirit rose up in Saul (Paul), and he looked at this sorcerer and rebuked him: “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” (Acts 13:10-11) This blindness came on Elymas immediately and when the Proconsul saw this happen, he believed!
These missionaries traveled from city to city, led by the Holy Spirit. Their pattern was to go first to the Jews and preach Jesus Christ. When opposition arose from the Jews and religious spirits, they went to the God-fearing Gentiles who were open to be saved. (Acts 13:42-48) This was the word of the Lord that they followed and God through the Holy Spirit brought a harvest among the Gentiles! When persecution came up against them, they did what Jesus had taught them, shaking the dust from their feet they went to another city! (Acts 13:51-52) Even with the persecution, these disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the wonderful name of the Lord! The earliest church members were accused of being drunk on wine on the day of Pentecost! Instead, they had the best “high” of all, they were filled with the Holy Spirit! I pray that you will find joy and fellowship in God’s house today with the people of God! Worship and God’s word have wonderful after-effects of hope, encouragement and peace in our souls.
As I reflect on the readings of the last week in Proverbs, I am struck by the great need for God’s wisdom in our lives today. We can so easily become drunk, not just with alcohol, but with the ways of this world and our flesh. Material things and indulgence also dull our souls and cause us to live without purpose. Living for self and things is empty and leaves no lasting satisfaction because stuff doesn’t last and we always want more and better. It becomes outdated, breaks down, or loses it’s ability to give us pleasure.
The fear and honor of God is the beginning of wisdom and source of all true purpose and satisfaction. When I live for God and seek to love and honor Him, I find myself thinking His thoughts and desiring His ways. He is loving and compassionate to all. As I love God, I find myself loving others and wanting the best for them. When I love God and love others, I am most like God and most satisfied with my life and purpose! This is the essence of wise living and a life that God can bless.
May the Lord give you wisdom today to live wisely in this life! “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”" (1st Corinthians 1:30-31)
In His Love, Pastor John