THE SPIRIT OF GOD
Today’s Reading: Acts 11-12
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Ruins of a Roman hippodrome in Caesarea. If you look carefully to the left and right, you can see the seats from which the spectators would watch the chariot races taking place in the oval space in the centre. Reynold's shadow is seen on the bottom right.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Acts 11:16-17
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, “John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?
Our Scripture records an amazing shift in the hearts and minds of these believers in Jesus who practiced the religion of Judaism. Peter had baptized Gentiles without them first becoming Jews. For this breach of Jewish practice, Peter was on the carpet back in Jerusalem defending his unprecedented action. The key point in Peter’s defense was John the Baptist’s prophecy and its fulfillment both in the 120 in the upper room and now with the same “they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God” experience.
Consider the two deaths in chapter 12…that of James, the brother of John, and that of Herod. What a stark contrast one with the other. James was put to death by Herod. The end result was the opposite to what Herod intended. The fisherman Apostle, James, now sits with the King of Kings forever. The kingdom Herod sought to hold, crumbled. The glory he sought was instantly lost. The result of his pride was undoubtedly eternal damnation.
Another James, the one known as the brother of Jesus, is rising to leadership. We first hear of him in Mark 6:3. He gave us the book of James. Stay with us daily and we’ll get to James’ book eventually.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I thank You that, as John the Baptist said of You, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” By Your grace, may many more be baptized by You in the same way You did for the believers as recorded in the book of Acts. I magnify You in my worship right now. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:18-21, I desire with all my heart that I will continue to “be filled with the Spirit.” Amen!!!!!!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My Grandpa Mainse and his brother Ed would meet each morning at the fence between their farms for prayer. They were what was called “Shouting Methodists.” It is said that they could be heard over on the next concession. I’ve heard my Doctor of Theology father shout for Joy on one occasion. I’ve been so filled with the Spirit at times that it’s next to impossible to keep quiet or to express what’s going on inside of me in my ordinary English language. Of course, one can control one’s exuberance. The Scripture says, “The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet” (1 Corinthians 14:32). I find great strength for each day as my human spirit is filled with God’s Spirit. I experience an effective witness for Jesus and my cup of joy is filled to overflowing. Norma-Jean has recently given to our children and grandchildren a book entitled, “The Blessing.” The subtitle is, “Experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit Today,” by Thomas Trask and Wayde Goodall, published by Zondervan. This is an excellent and thorough teaching resource. If you are hungry and thirsty for God’s Spirit in a greater way in your life, I recommend this excellent book (click here for information).
Yours for being “Filled with the Spirit.” By the way, I believe that this daily blog will help you and me to grow in God, so that our capacities for the Spirit of God will increase. I ask myself this: Am I continuing to be a small volume spirit or am I increasing in size? I think I’m growing, and thus I can experience a greater measure of God’s Spirit than ever before.
David
Thank you for encouraging us to use our prayer language to express what we otherwise can not adequatley express.
BLESSI NGS.
Amen, David. I am thankfuk that the Lord baptized me in the Holy Spirit back in 1972 and praying in tongues has helped me through many difficult times in life and given me boldness to witness. Thank you for recommending that book. I am going to buy it. I wrote a longer message but it got wiped out. Talking about children yesterday, my 8 year old grandniece blessed me yesterday when she said she read her beginners Bible through(525 pages) in 2 days. She even took it to school and read it out in the playground at recess. Bless her heart. I just dug out a harder one for her to read. This is a direct answer to prayer that someone in the family would read the Bible. God is good! Thank you again David and family for blessing us with this blog. Have a great day saints!
Rejoicing with you Ger. I’m still having problems with the scripture quotes in blue. On my Tablet they come out in”easy to read” Arabic! One of my 4 sons is coming on Thursday. He’s an electrical engineer who programs robotic arms for surgeons (St. JOSEPH HOSP this time in Hamilton). He can fix that for me!! Don’t know how it happened. My computer reads out in English.
Amen I was baptized with the Holy Spirit in 1977 Praise God
Thank you also sah for sharing your testimony. Keep treading on the victory side and proving the faithfulness of God! God bless you.
Thank u for the stories u share about family Rev. I control my exuberance for God’s presence in my life for fear of frightening off timid souls which otherwise might come to the Lord.
Nice pic Reynold.
Blessings dear saints.
Filled with the Spirit–amen!! What a blessing when the presence of the Holy Spirit is upon us!! In the late hours of the evening, wee hours of the morning, or any moment we are called, in the day. We speak to the Lord so intimately, pray with pure love in our hearts, and envelop the essence of divinity of His Word. Whether we praise Him in worship and shout out His Name, sit in the quiet of church, our homes, or outside in nature–it’s the same. As the presence of the Spirit is upon us, we are blessed by the gift of the trinity–in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Oh Holy Spirit come, oh Holy Spirit come, whether we be gifted to preach, prophesize or speak in tongues. We give You all the thanks, praise, and glory as our love for You is one! God’s continued blessings, dear saints!
Oh Dear David.
What a blessing you are! The Spirit is so very present within you, flowing out to fill us, encourage and lead us.
Thank you Lord for your faithful pastors, You do indeed provide bountifully for those who receive you.
I just started following 100 words this last Friday. and am finding much enrichment and help.
I find joy in speaking in the Spirit to my saviour, and what you provide in Scripture and teaching is just enough for each day.
I have been lapse in the self discipline of a daily time of prayer and Bible study, being haphazard in my time with The Lord. This is just what I have needed.
I have found great help from all the Crossroads broadcasts on CTV including the great Kids shows. 100 Huntley played a great part to bringing me to The Lord.
I also enjoy the great testimonies given on your Living Witness to Amazin Grace show. What a great name for the show that is.
I sent an email to your prayer centre last Thursday asking for prayer to show me the path The Lord wishes me to take. I am 80 now so I needed something for my speed!
It has been answered
I tuned into “Living Witness” for the final 3 mins and you had the man on who I believe is the man who started the Alpha courses ( which I took in 201I)
I felt that was my answer.
So I have left a message for the Pastor at my fairly large church who trains leaders for these courses and bible studies.
It is amazing that “when we make our requests be known, and BELIEVE that we shall have them, we must hold out our hands to RECEIVE what HE decides that we need.
Thank you David.
Amen, Carolyn! God bless you!
Thank you Heavenly Father for sending your Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us into all truth…to reveal Your Son Jesus Christ to us in a powerful and wonderful way for Your Glory!!! That we may Know the Truth and the Truth will set us free.
Thank you for infilling me and empowering me with Your Holy Spirit…leading me on “paths of righteousness for Your Name’s Sake”.
Thank You that “Your Mercies are new every morning:” Thank you for “The Living waters of life that flow from Your Throne”!!!. I PRAISE YOU FOREVER AND EVER!!! AMEN, and AMEN!!
Amen, amen, and amen!!!
Thank you Rev. David ….I appreciate the way in which you bring out various details of the scriptures we read in each blog. And your simple yet powerful prayer you pray after each teaching…anointed of the Holy Spirit: Helping us to grow in The Word together with you.
Yes, I was able to see the seats on both the left and right side. A great picture Reynold…special with your shadow in it!!
thank you for your through the bible in two years I started early November 2013
I have been listening to the tv of 100 huntley now since I took early retirement 9 years ago and My wife And I went to Israel with you the year your grandson went I even did a short time on the prayer lines when first retired And may considered moving to Burlington to so we could be once again be more involved What
i have enjoyed watching 100 Huntley is the testimonies of those who have walked with the Lord I feel there is less of that now and more on supporting the ministry your ministries are wonderful but we volunteer in our local church and their ministries we would like more of the interviews with real people to encourage the watcher of 100 Huntley
it would be nice to return back to more interviews with regular people
thank you and God bless you Ger…I don’t know what to do anymore! I am stretched to my limits! I pray the Lord will grant me a financial miracle real soon! I had Bible study tonight at church and something was said and I shared about my sleep disorder on top of a mental illness and I stated that I was concerned that I can’t get to church and I miss that very much and I miss the fellowship…our study was on prayer and Pastor and the group will pray about this situation. I pray that once December 21 passes (winter equinox) things will go back somewhat normal…however..I cling to God for His help.. I don’t know what else to do…blessings to all…