Power from the Holy Spirit

Devotional for 3/18/11

Here I sit with another blank page to fill in an attempt to spread the word of God on. Beverley, our Friday writer, is under the weather and her computer is in the puter hospital, so here I am.

I have been thinking a lot about the workings of the Holy Spirit in us. I have been doing a John Bevere study called Extraordinary, and I am learning things that I never knew before. In fact, I think that most people have not heard about or learned what I have been reading with great amazement.

Oh yes, we all know that we are Temples of the Holy Spirit, but most of us do not know (as Paul Harvey called it) "the rest of the story". That is all about the power that is included. The apostles waited for the arrival of the Holy Spirit on Penticost. Then chickens like Peter...who denied Jesus three times in the courtyard causing the cock to crow as Jesus had fortold...became bold. Were you surprised at that? Peter was probably surprised himself.

The interesting thing is that the power of the Holy Spirit was not only for Peter and the other disciples. It is also for us. We have been given those same powers as well...

• Power to lead others to salvation knowledge
• Power to declare healings
• Power to perform miracles
• Power to speak into the heavens with our requests and prayers
• Power to expect that we will be given that what we pray for
• Power to cast out demons

Why don't we see these miracles happening in our world at this time. I think that the main reason is that we do not even realize or understand what has been given to us.

John Bevere says that many became Christias after witnessing miracles such as the lame man walking. It is always easier for a person to believe in the sight of miracles. They are concrete and seen. We need miracles to reach the unsaved, and the Holy Spirit within us makes it possible to perform miracles. To fully understand all that the presence of the Holy Spirit within us makes possible it is necessary to study this lesser known phenomenom. I invite you to do so.

The whole concept is so exciting that I can hardly contain myself. I invite you to get the book of what John Bevere is teaching about what Jesus has given us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The book is called, Extraordinary, The Life You're Meant to Live, and is beyond

amazing and edifying. I did not set out to do a book report, but this is such awesome knowledge that I could not contain myself. The pity is that I think most of us have never even heard about the reality of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Here are some exciting scriptures to consider and study...

John 14:16-17

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

John 14:12-14

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name,

and I will do it.

This last scripture is the most exciting of all. IN JESUS OWN WORDS HE SAYS THAT WE CAN EVEN DO GREATER THINGS THAN WHAT HE HAD BEEN DOING!!! Does this blow you away...it surely does blow me away. And there is nothing to stop us but ourselves, our lack of knowledge or our lack of self belief in who we are through Jesus.

 

Learn about what He offers and what powers you have for the Kingdom within you that He provides. Go to work for your King.

Written by Corinne Mustafa

A Fascinating Story of Faithfulness and Obedience

DEVOTIONAL FOR 3/17/11

When Patrick was 16 years old, and all the soldiers and police were busy in another country, a gang of bad guys kidnapped him. They took him to another country and sold him as a slave. His master had him tend his flocks out in the fields. He did not go back to the barn every night. He stayed out in the fields far away from people and houses. Patrick was very lonely and scared in this new land.

Patrick obeyed his master.

He took care of the flocks.

He prayed lots of prayers during the days and lots of prayers during the nights.

God kept Patrick safe in all kinds of weather.

Faith and love grew in his heart.

Patrick served his master for 6 years. Then he heard God tell him it was time to leave this place. So he walked over 200 miles to a port. As he was headed home he was captured and put into slavery again. But he heard God tell him that he would only be there for 2 months. So he faithfully served and waited on God’s deliverance.

When he finally got back to his country he wandered around. He was searching for his purpose and what God wanted him to do for Him. He went to school to prepare to serve God.

One night he had a dream that the people from the land of his slavery were calling out to him, to please come help them. He knew from that point on what God wanted him to do. He sought wise counsel and he continued in his studies. After a few years, someone else from the school was chosen to go to reach out and minister to those people. He was disappointed but he again waited on God. He continued to study and kept praying.

Just a few years later he was finally sent to the land of his slavery. He already understood what the people believed and how they struggled. They did not believe in the One True God in heaven. They worshipped everything in nature. Patrick used nature to teach them about the Creator. For instance, he would hold up a shamrock, which has 3 leaves, and ask them how many seeds did a shamrock come from? One seed, they would answer. Then he would explain the Trinity. That the Godhead came from One with 3 parts: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Ghost).

Patrick taught that God is always with us, even when things are hard, sad or lonely. After just 6 years he had influenced and led so many people to belief in the Lord that the laws were being changed to agree with the gospel. He founded 365 churches and built schools next to most of them. Science and education increased throughout the country. Patrick loved God and he loved the people. He stayed and taught for 60 years.

On March 17 in the year of our Lord 493 (Four hundred ninety-three) Patrick died in Ireland. Today people all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day for many reasons, some for spiritual, some for pleasure, and some just because it looks like the thing to do. Now you know the real reason for this Irish holy day. The Irish choose to honor St. Patrick in appreciation for his faithfulness and obedience in bringing Christianity to them. 

Proverbs 4:18

The ways of right-living people glow with light;

the longer they live, the brighter they shine.

(The Message)

Written by Mary Wilkins

Take Up Your Bed And Walk

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Devotional

So what areas in your life is God calling you to arise and take up your bed and walk? In the book of Matthew chapter 9:1-8, Jesus forgave and healed a paralytic. He was set free and told to go home. Just like that, Jesus mercifully touched his life and it was changed forever. What about you and what about me? In what areas are we needing forgiveness and to be healed?


Maybe in the area of worrying, or not trusting God, or gossiping about that lady that rubs you the wrong way. Or how about having unforgiveness towards that person that wronged us several years ago. It might even be that anger problem you have, that you have neve been able to get under control.


Jesus is standing by ready to graciously meet your needs. Allow the Holy Spirit to do a work in your heart today, and draw close to the Father. Alow Him to do that deep cleansing work in your life.


Jesus is waiting to say to His daughter, "Be of good cheer; yours sins are forgiven you. Take up your bed and walk." Just as He did for the paralytic, He too wants to set you free forever!

Blessings,
Written By Sandy

Why Irish Eyes Are Smiling

“Saint Patrick was born in Great Britain when it was ruled by the Roman Empire. He came from a wealthy family.He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and eventually became a bishop. He became a missionary to Ireland.There are only two surviving written documents that are credited to Saint Patrick. Both of them are letters. One of the letters is a mini autobiographical account of Saint Patrick's life and his work with the church. Patrick was very successful at converting the Irish to Christianity. He even converted the wealthy and members of royalty.”


Saint Patrick survived some very negative circumstances in his life. He also suffered some severe persecution as a result of his Christian faith and missionary efforts.


He is an inspirational figure as we witness for Christ in our own lives. Amidst the Saint Patrick's day celebrations this season it is good to stop and reflect on Saint Patrick's life and his spiritual contributions to the nation of Ireland.


Shared by Cathy ~


-St. Patrick Facts
Hubpages.com

STORMS

...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Japan was hit with a huge 8.9 magnitude earthquake this past week, followed by a devastating tsunami. While Japan's buildings were built to withstand an earthquake of that size, the water was a different matter. A 23 foot wave traveling at the speed of a jet swept 6 miles inland, and thousands of people are dead or missing, millions of people are without water or power, automobiles and buildings were swept away, four whole trains are missing, boats and huge ships are damaged or lost, buildings are on fire and a nuclear reactor has had an explosion. Then the waters continued their rampage as they traveled across the Pacific to Hawaii and our west coast, causing some flooding and damaging more homes, boats and docks. People are feeling helpless and hopeless. Where is God in all of this?

Our life may feel like this at times. We may feel we are prepared for anything, well connected with God in prayer, worship, Bible study and meditation. But even then life sometimes jolts us. Circumstances arise that seem unmanageable, beyond our control. We lose sight of God.

My friend in Hawaii took this picture during the tsunami storms, showing a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. God is like that - even though the thick dark clouds of life overshadow us, He is still there, above them, supporting and guiding us. He wants us to turn to him and rely on his power to see us through. When we finally see that ray of sunshine breaking the stormy skies, we can be filled with joy and praise so that others might also see God at work and turn to him. And if the storms of this life should take us away, then our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior will carry us to heaven. What can be more powerful than that? May we share that faith with others, so that they too may see the light.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn... Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Isaiah 60:1-3, 5 NIV

Written by Jan Andersen

MY LOVE

DEVOTIONAL FOR 3/12/11

Large hands, strong, sinewy.

Kind eyes, full of compassion.

Locks of hair falling over forehead.

Body, hard and full of work.

Walking, He moves smoothly through the crowd

As if one of them, though not quite.

Unobtrusive manner, yet uniquely He stands apart.

Those He touches know instantly He is the One.

He has no money though

His majestic air permeates,

And authority is present.

His voice commands attention

In a way other than volume.

He often upsets the balance in

His friends' minds of who He is.

He and only He can ascend

To the heights of His calling.

Those eyes full of love and understanding

Now absorbing the crowd who has come to watch.

They look down the long road

Of time and rest upon me

For as Iong as it takes.

He knows I am His forever.

The victory is in His reach now.

Many through the ages will know it and claim it.

The serpent crawls away.

Confused, but sensing defeat.

Darkness, darkness,

Then light bursting,

Calling forth freedom.

Liberty is proclaimed for the captives.

The work completed.

Easter Morning!

Written by Linda Garrett

“So Many Stones”

Devotional for 3/11/11

“Now on the first day of the week,
 Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early,

while it was still dark, and saw that
the stone had been removed from

 (lifted out of the groove
across the entrance of) the tomb.”

John 20:1

Amplified Bible

Here we see a picture of Mary visiting the place that she knew her Lord was, yet she had been unable to get to Him. There was a huge stone in the way. The stone was too big for her to remove. The stone was too large for her to see above, under or even on the sides of it.

What are some of the “stones” that we have in our own lives? What is it that keeps us a “stone” away from reaching our Lord? Could it be that we could get to Him if we could just seem to remove that which was “in our way?”

Mary didn’t understand that even as she was mourning the loss of her Lord, His resurrection was already taking place! Just because she was unable to see it happening… did not mean that it wasn’t taking place! Her vision had been blocked by the stone.

How many times has a “stone” of “this” or a “stone” of “that” blocked our own vision of what the Lord was doing on our behalf? Is it possible that we allow the “stones” of this life to wedge their way into our lives and block our own access to the Lord.

What about the “stones” of rejection or fear? How about the “stones” of being busy or the “stone” of guilt? Perhaps the “stones” of unbelief or weariness, the “lack of faith” stones that can be found right next to the “worry” stones or the “hopeless” stones. Have any of you ever found a “poor me” stone tucked carefully away into a private place in your heart? How about the “why is it always me that has to do it” stone… or the “if they only knew” stone or the “nobody will understand” stone? Maybe the “they don’t know what I’m dealing with” stone, or the “stone” of resentment?

So many stones! How do we get to the Lord with all of these stones in the way? But wait, didn’t that verse say that the “stone had been removed?” Yes, it did… and yes, it still does!

This is where we find our renewed hope and vision! We have been given special entry into the very place that our Lord is. He has paid the price for our access! The “way” is no longer blocked!

Hebrews 4:16 says,

“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near

to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners),

 that we may receive mercy (for our failures)

and find grace to help in good time for every need

(appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it).

I pray that as the Holy Spirit prepares us for the way he wants us to walk in this life that we will allow Him to show us any “stones” that we may have in our hearts. I pray that we would allow Him free access to do the work in us and with His help, so that He may be able to move more freely through us, for the purpose of being a help to others. I believe with my whole heart that His work will begin first in us, and that it will then flow through us, if we are willing.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,

 and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10

 By Beverley A. Napier