“John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.” – (Acts 1:5)

“Stay in Jerusalem!” “Wait for the promised gift!”

These were Jesus’ words to his closest followers. Now we understand why. When John the Baptizer came, he spoke of one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit. As Jesus is leaving them, the Kingdom of God will break into the world with fresh power.

The Holy Spirit will be given to every true follower of Jesus. They stand on the edge of Pentecost and the beginning of a new movement of God that will sweep up all sorts of people into his Kingdom. And we are part of that great movement. We, too, are filled with this same Holy Spirit. Jesus still calls us to live out the good news of God’s Kingdom in our world by the power of the Holy Spirit … and do it now!

Prayer : Father, thank you for your plan. The call of Abraham, the leadership of Moses, the heart of worship in David, the faithfulness of the prophets — all who worked, lead, spoke, and pointed to your great work to redeem the world and create a people who reflect your character and compassion. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, please form us — form me and those I love — into the people who live your will in the world. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Tags: holy spirit, prayer, spirit

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. – (Acts 1:1-2)

God’s leaders in the Old Testament spoke by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is God in human flesh, but Luke emphasizes that Jesus spoke with the authority of God — giving “instructions through the Holy Spirit. These words that Jesus speaks to his “chosen apostles” are his last words with them on earth.

As we eavesdrop in on this conversation, we must be convicted of their importance to what lies ahead.

Jesus will pour out the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit will both empower and inspire these once fearful and deeply flawed apostles to speak with the authority of Jesus.

But, Jesus’ first words are “Wait!” They had witnessed great things. They were chosen to experience the unimaginable. Yet to do what they needed to do, they needed the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer : Almighty God, Jesus’ words convict me that I need to listen to Jesus words more attentively and I need to seek the power of the Holy Spirit more faithfully. I recognized that if the apostles needed the Spirit’s power and guidance, then I do, as well. Please know that I am committed to seek and to wait and to listen, and then to obey as your Holy Spirit works in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven all their sins and all the blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.” - (Mark 3:28-30)

This verse strikes a chill in folks because they sometimes fear they may be guilty of this. However, in this context, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit meant attributing Jesus’ ability to do miracles to the power of demons in his life — saying he could do his miracles because “He has an evil spirit” — and not giving credit for the miracles to the Holy Spirit of God.

Sit down and read awhile in the Gospel of Mark and be reminded of the great power of Jesus to heal and cast out demons, then realize that power, the Holy Spirit, is  at work in you as a follower of Jesus. Give glory to God for such
an incredible presence in your life!

Prayer : Almighty God, when I see the incredible power displayed in the ministry of Jesus I cannot help but wish I were alive in the days when he performed these miracles. However, I am humbled to realize that the Holy Spirit who empowered these miracles is the gift of your presence inside of me, given by your grace to empower, comfort, and encourage me. Use the Holy Spirit to conform me to the character and compassion of Jesus, in whose name I thank you  and praise. Amen.