Month: March 2016

“This ,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 HCSB

One receives the Holy Spirit when he receives Jesus Christ as Savior. The Spirit marks the beginning of the Christian experience. One cannot be a Christian without the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). Believers are joined to Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). Those who believe are adopted as children of God (Romans 8:14-17 and Galatians 4:6-7). One cannot be a part of the body of Christ without the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

The Holy Spirit brings power to our lives. Believers through the power of the Holy Spirit have the power to change and become like Christ (Galatians 3:3 and Philippians 1:6). When a person receives Christ as Lord, he immediately begins a personal relationship with God.

The Holy Spirit unites the community of believers (Ephesians 2:19-22). The Holy Spirit is within all believers and works through believers to accomplish God’s will and direction (1 Corinthians 12:11 and Ephesians 4:4).

Challenge: Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit in your life to help guide you and give you direction as you face life’s struggles. Listen to the song Holy Spirit on Youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS5S8Unvm48

While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. Acts 1:4 HCSB

Mega stores are some of my least favorite places to shop. First, I usually have to park a long way from the door and then when I get inside, I usually have to fight the crowds in narrow aisles to walk a long way to find what I want to purchase. Then I return to the front of the store to find that they have 24 checkout lines but only 2 are open. I wonder why they built 24 checkouts if they never use all of them. So, I wait in line to check out to save a few pennies. This is not exactly my idea of a fun shopping trip. We live in a world where we go, go, go. I hate to wait at the traffic light and I often get frustrated at a person who drives too slow.

Jesus specifically tells His disciples to wait. Too many times we want to get started and run ahead of God’s perfect timing. Waiting is sometimes a part of God’s plan. We need to be patient and listen for God’s direction in our lives before we move into action. God’s timing and power is vital to our success in any endeavor. Without God we will fail in the task. I have heard the joke of the person who prayed, “Lord, please give me patience and hurry up.”

Challenge: As the old saying goes, “Stop and smell the roses.” Do not get in such a hurry that you miss what God has for you to do. Wait on Him for direction and power. Thank Him for watching over you and giving you wisdom and power to accomplish His will in your life.

After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 HCSB

I recently encountered a young man who claimed to be an atheist. He did not believe in God. I offered to give him a book if he would agree to read it. The book was Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. Christian Book Distributors says of the book, “Among important books in the defense of Christianity, this one has few equals. Using secular evidences and other historical sources, Josh McDowell’s faith-building book is a must read for every Christian.” I challenged the young man by saying, “If I am wrong and you are right, then the only thing it has cost you is a little time to read a book, but if I am right and you are wrong, then failing to read the book and accept God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ will cost you eternity in heaven.” I gave him the book, but I am not sure if he read it.

Jesus presented Himself alive to His disciples for 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God. This was designed to provide convincing proof to His disciples that He was who He said He was, the Son of God, and that He had conquered death. We often want proof that Jesus is alive. There is convincing evidence in the Bible and other historical sources that Jesus died and rose again from the dead.

Challenge: Read the book Evidence That Demands a Verdict or New Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. Believe that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again to life. Thank Jesus for giving of Himself so you might be forgiven and have eternal life.

I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. Acts 1:1-2 HCSB

The Star Wars sequel trilogy consists of episodes 7, 8, and 9 and follows after the Return of the Jedi produced in 1983. The first installment of the trilogy, Star Wars: The Force Awakens began pre-production in 2012 and was released in December 2015. Unlike previous trilogies whose films were released approximately three years apart, the sequel films are planned to be released approximately two years apart. As a Star Wars fan, I hope to be able to see the sequel trilogy.

The book of Acts is written by Luke and is the sequel to his first book, the Gospel of Luke. In the first book Luke tells of the activities and teachings of Jesus. In his sequel, Luke explains what has taken place since Jesus ascended into heaven. The apostles were to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came to them. The Holy Spirit would empower them to live their lives for Jesus and to be a witness of His saving grace.

Challenge: Read Luke and the sequel, Acts. All who believe in Jesus are promised the Holy Spirit. As a believer, the Holy Spirit lives within you to help guide you and provide direction in life, to convict you of what is right and wrong, and to empower you to be a witness of the hope that you have through Jesus Christ. Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Your life story is the continuation of the story that began with the first apostles. Pass it on so the story never ends.