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
Shouting for joy to our Lord and feeling in the Spirit! Wishing all saints a blessed day at church and in worship! Amen!
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 ESV
Chris Tomlin – It’s Christmas (Medley/Live/Lyrics And Chords)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0iFgc5GjwA
Thank you Beverley and the many others who prayed for my husbands healing yesterday . I do so appreciate the prayers of the saints. God is good and his mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness to all generations. Dear Lord be with all who read this blog, bless them and heal those who need healing, those who need encouragement . Those who are lonely and need a friend. I pray this in the wonderful name of Jesus, the best friend I have ever had. Amen. Thinking of you Sah praying for your needs also. Eleanor M.
Jesus–the best friend I have ever had, as well. God bless you and your husband, Eleanor.
TY Eleanor, we are praying in confidence that the Lord will help the medical staff to do their very best and all the care aides that work with individuals who are in need of medical assistance will also do their very best to look after your husband and the Lord will heal him completely, I pray this with Authority, I pray this trusting the Lord to do as His Words say, we are His children from birth to death, not one hair falls from our heads that He does not know about, therefore, He is standing right in front of your husband right now, TY Lord for Your presence, for Your Divine Healing, for Your unconditional love. TY Eleanor for posting your blog, I find this so helpful and encouraging, we have formed a bond on this prayer line that enables many of us to post our deepest desires, to post our admissions that we have sinned against God in thought, Word and Deed, we can come and share and confess our wrong doings and ask for the Lord to forgive us and HE DOES ALWAYS!
I pray that God will bring healing to all who are hurting either from bodily injuries, spiritual injuries, I Praise and Thank the Lord for all His mercies and His Grace amen amen amen
Amen to your comments Sah.
Agreeing with you in prayer.
Praying for you and your husband, Eleanor.
May you both sense God’s presence and comfort as you journey through the present circumstances.
May God’s healing power overtake your husband’s body and make him every bit whole. May God grant you much strength as you care for him.
Blessings on all saints. May the Lord Almighty minister to every need …physical, emotional, relational, financial, spiritual. He is more than able! Amen!
Amen! Thank you Eleanor for this prayer !
When the Holy Spirit began to work, the unholy spirit began to work as well in the death of James the Apostle. However greater in He who is in Christ than he who is in the world and many were added to the church. We serve a Mighty God! Was a good morning in church but snowed here today again. May God bless your upcoming week. God is moving! God is faithful!
Snowed here this morning too, was very treacherous travelling to church.
Amen to your comments!
Amen to your comments Sah.
Agreeing with you in prayer.
The apostles continued to spread the “Good News” inspite of great persecution!!
Great photo Reynold; also David’s heart-felt prayer!!! I so appreciate David’s Personal Words!!
Today’s post came in an unusual way.. almost double. I was unable to get into the half post; However, I did get today’s post by going to yesterday’s post.
Did anyone else experience the same?