GOD POURS OUT HIS SPIRIT
Luke 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
John's baptism was a baptism with water unto repentance for the remission of sins. John preached that the Lamb of God came to take away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29), but he didn't administer the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
However, both John the Baptist and Jesus prophesied the church age, when believers would be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, but it was not only for these few individuals. Peter said in Acts 2:39, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." This same power is available to all believers today.
The promise of the Spirit being poured out on "all flesh" is speaking of all manners of flesh or mankind. It is evident that not everyone has the Holy Spirit. Rather, this reveals that the door of salvation and the filling of the Holy Spirit is opened unto Jew and Gentile, male and female, adult, and child.
Many people argue whether or not we are in the last days. Joel prophesied that this outpouring of the Holy Ghost would take place in the last days and Peter said that was what happened here, on the day of Pentecost.
If the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, which happened nearly 2,000 years ago, was the beginning of the last days, then the time must certainly be getting short for us. This should settle the argument for those who believe the Bible. Nevertheless, we can confidently say that this is our last generation. We need to be about our Father's work.
FAVOR IS LOOKING FOR YOU ...
Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” - (Psalm 5:12, NIV)
God wants to bring you to a place of abundance! A land filled with favor, opportunity, good health and great relationships. You may not be there yet, but don’t worry. Your blessing is on the way. David said in Psalm 31, “God has blessings stored up for those that love the Lord.” There are businesses stored up for you that God wants to release. There is promotion stored up that has your name on it. Good health, provision, relationships — because you love the Lord, God is going to bring you into what He has already prepared. When you honor God, when you’re faithful to Him, that’s how you walk in His blessings. You don’t have to look for them; favor is going to find you! Good breaks are going to find you!
Today, be ready to receive what He has for you. Position yourself for blessing by walking in His ways. Meditate on the Word of God, sing songs of praise. Thank Him for what He is doing because favor is looking for you!
YOU ARE NEXT!
Psalm 50:10 - For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
Suppose you have just heard of someone whose financial debts have been miraculously cleared. Or your elated friend has just told you that despite being an average student in school, he scored straight As in all his subjects. Perhaps on Sunday, you heard a newlywed couple share about how they won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Hawaii, or how a once-childless couple is now expecting their miracle child.
When you see or hear of others being blessed, do you ever wonder when it will be your turn? Or do you even find yourself saying, “Oh, he got blessed with the very thing that I have been praying for. There goes my blessing.”
Now, just because man’s economy operates on the principle of shortage, it does not mean that God operates in the same manner. So the next time somebody gets blessed, tell yourself, “I won’t be disheartened. I won’t be jealous. I am the next one to be blessed!”
Always remember that God does not have to bless anyone at your expense. Nor does He have to bless you at anyone’s expense. We don’t have to be jealous of each other. There is a portion that God gives to you which no man can touch because it has your name on it—“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven”. (John 3:27)
Our God is a rich God. He owns the whole universe. He has contacts and blessings you do not know of and which are reserved just for you! There is more than enough for everybody with plenty of leftovers. In fact, you will not be able to take it all because when the blessings start coming in, they will come in a net-breaking, boat-sinking style. You will have to call for your friends in the other boats to come and help you! (Luke 5:1–7) That is the kind of blessings that our God gives. So get ready for your blessings and overflowing abundance!
Thought For The Day :
God has contacts and blessings you do not know of and which are reserved just for you!
RESTFULLY PRODUCTIVE
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. - Matthew 11:28–30
When you read about Jesus in the Gospels, you’ll find that He was very active. He preached, taught, healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons and dealt wisely with the cunning Pharisees. Yet, in doing all these things, Jesus was always very restful. He was never worried, stressed out or desperate.
When He and His disciples were in a boat on their way to the country of the Gadarenes, a fierce storm arose. The disciples panicked, believing that the boat was going to sink them all into a watery grave. But what was Jesus doing? He was fast asleep! The gusty winds, violent lashing of the waves and rocking of the boat didn’t wake Him up—only the cry of His disciples did. What did He do next? He rebuked the storm and brought perfect peace!
When they arrived at their destination, a fierce, severely demon-possessed man came out from the tombs and met Jesus. His disciples, who were with Him in the boat, were suddenly nowhere near Him. But Jesus, cool as usual, stood His ground and with one word—“Go”—sent the demons fleeing (Matthew 8:32). He brought peace to the man, restored to him a sound mind and gave him wholeness.
My friend, this Jesus who is restful yet so effective lives in you. Look to Him and be yoked to Him. Ask Him to lead and guide you each day. Flow with Him and you will find an inner rest and peace that enables you to be effective and fruitful wherever you are!
MIND MANAGEMENT (4)
'Don't cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself.' Romans 12:3 PHPS
Here are two more examples of mind management. A thought knocks on the door of your mind and says, ‘You’re so wonderful, the world is lucky to have you.’ Typically it’s the kind of thought you’d welcome, but you don’t do things the typical way. You submit it to the authority of Christ, and as you unsheathe the Sword of the Spirit, His Word, you learn that pride doesn’t please God. ‘Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself.’ As much as you’d like to embrace an exalted image of yourself, you can’t. You only allow what Christ allows. Here’s another example: this time it’s temptation. If you’re a male, the thought comes in a low–cut red dress. If you’re a female, it comes in the form of the hunk you’ve always admired. Temptation whispers, ‘It’s all right, you’re both consenting adults.’ If you aren’t under Christ’s authority you throw open the door but, if you are, you say, ‘Not so fast.’ Then you take this steamy thought before Jesus and ask, ‘Yes or no?’ And nowhere does He answer more clearly than 1 Corinthians: ‘You cannot say that our physical body was made for sexual promiscuity; it was made for God, and God is the answer to our deepest longings... let every man have his own wife and every woman her own husband.’ (1 Corinthians 6:13; 7:1–2 PHPS) Now, armed with the opinion of Christ and the Sword of the Spirit, what do you do? Unless the tempter or temptress is your spouse—you slam the door shut. End of story!
‘I AM WHO I AM’
And God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”… - Exodus 3:14
Whatever your challenge is today, whether it is physical, emotional, financial or marital, the great I Am declares to you: “I am to you what you need Me to be.”
Do you need healing? He says, “I am the Lord who heals you. (Exodus 15:26) And as you believe Me, you will see your healing manifest thirtyfold, sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
Are you groping in the dark, not knowing what to do? He says, “I am the light of the world. (John 8:12) When you walk in Me, you will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Are you looking for a way out of a bad situation? He says, “I am your deliverer. I will reach down from on high, take hold of your hand and draw you out of the deep waters.” (Psalm 18:2, 16)
Are you wondering if there is more to life than merely existing from day to day? He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) I came to give you life. And where there is life, there cannot be death. You will have life and life more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Are you fearful of what is ahead of you? He says, “I am the good shepherd (John 10:11), who leads you to pastures of tender, green grass and waters of rest. You will not suffer lack.” (Psalm 23:1–3)
Are you confused by the opinions and reports of man? He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. (Revelation 1:11) I have the final word in your life. The doctors do not have the final word. The experts do not have the final word. I have the first word and the last word in your situation.”
My friend, do not be fearful of the problems you face. The great I Am declares to you, “Fear not! For I am to you what you need Me to be!”
Thought For The Day :
God declares to you, “I am to you what you need Me to be.”
Free Christian Ebooks http://walthope.tripod.com
http://walthope.wordpress.com
Luke 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
John's baptism was a baptism with water unto repentance for the remission of sins. John preached that the Lamb of God came to take away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29), but he didn't administer the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
However, both John the Baptist and Jesus prophesied the church age, when believers would be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, but it was not only for these few individuals. Peter said in Acts 2:39, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." This same power is available to all believers today.
The promise of the Spirit being poured out on "all flesh" is speaking of all manners of flesh or mankind. It is evident that not everyone has the Holy Spirit. Rather, this reveals that the door of salvation and the filling of the Holy Spirit is opened unto Jew and Gentile, male and female, adult, and child.
Many people argue whether or not we are in the last days. Joel prophesied that this outpouring of the Holy Ghost would take place in the last days and Peter said that was what happened here, on the day of Pentecost.
If the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, which happened nearly 2,000 years ago, was the beginning of the last days, then the time must certainly be getting short for us. This should settle the argument for those who believe the Bible. Nevertheless, we can confidently say that this is our last generation. We need to be about our Father's work.
FAVOR IS LOOKING FOR YOU ...
Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” - (Psalm 5:12, NIV)
God wants to bring you to a place of abundance! A land filled with favor, opportunity, good health and great relationships. You may not be there yet, but don’t worry. Your blessing is on the way. David said in Psalm 31, “God has blessings stored up for those that love the Lord.” There are businesses stored up for you that God wants to release. There is promotion stored up that has your name on it. Good health, provision, relationships — because you love the Lord, God is going to bring you into what He has already prepared. When you honor God, when you’re faithful to Him, that’s how you walk in His blessings. You don’t have to look for them; favor is going to find you! Good breaks are going to find you!
Today, be ready to receive what He has for you. Position yourself for blessing by walking in His ways. Meditate on the Word of God, sing songs of praise. Thank Him for what He is doing because favor is looking for you!
YOU ARE NEXT!
Psalm 50:10 - For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
Suppose you have just heard of someone whose financial debts have been miraculously cleared. Or your elated friend has just told you that despite being an average student in school, he scored straight As in all his subjects. Perhaps on Sunday, you heard a newlywed couple share about how they won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Hawaii, or how a once-childless couple is now expecting their miracle child.
When you see or hear of others being blessed, do you ever wonder when it will be your turn? Or do you even find yourself saying, “Oh, he got blessed with the very thing that I have been praying for. There goes my blessing.”
Now, just because man’s economy operates on the principle of shortage, it does not mean that God operates in the same manner. So the next time somebody gets blessed, tell yourself, “I won’t be disheartened. I won’t be jealous. I am the next one to be blessed!”
Always remember that God does not have to bless anyone at your expense. Nor does He have to bless you at anyone’s expense. We don’t have to be jealous of each other. There is a portion that God gives to you which no man can touch because it has your name on it—“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven”. (John 3:27)
Our God is a rich God. He owns the whole universe. He has contacts and blessings you do not know of and which are reserved just for you! There is more than enough for everybody with plenty of leftovers. In fact, you will not be able to take it all because when the blessings start coming in, they will come in a net-breaking, boat-sinking style. You will have to call for your friends in the other boats to come and help you! (Luke 5:1–7) That is the kind of blessings that our God gives. So get ready for your blessings and overflowing abundance!
Thought For The Day :
God has contacts and blessings you do not know of and which are reserved just for you!
RESTFULLY PRODUCTIVE
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. - Matthew 11:28–30
When you read about Jesus in the Gospels, you’ll find that He was very active. He preached, taught, healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons and dealt wisely with the cunning Pharisees. Yet, in doing all these things, Jesus was always very restful. He was never worried, stressed out or desperate.
When He and His disciples were in a boat on their way to the country of the Gadarenes, a fierce storm arose. The disciples panicked, believing that the boat was going to sink them all into a watery grave. But what was Jesus doing? He was fast asleep! The gusty winds, violent lashing of the waves and rocking of the boat didn’t wake Him up—only the cry of His disciples did. What did He do next? He rebuked the storm and brought perfect peace!
When they arrived at their destination, a fierce, severely demon-possessed man came out from the tombs and met Jesus. His disciples, who were with Him in the boat, were suddenly nowhere near Him. But Jesus, cool as usual, stood His ground and with one word—“Go”—sent the demons fleeing (Matthew 8:32). He brought peace to the man, restored to him a sound mind and gave him wholeness.
My friend, this Jesus who is restful yet so effective lives in you. Look to Him and be yoked to Him. Ask Him to lead and guide you each day. Flow with Him and you will find an inner rest and peace that enables you to be effective and fruitful wherever you are!
MIND MANAGEMENT (4)
'Don't cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself.' Romans 12:3 PHPS
Here are two more examples of mind management. A thought knocks on the door of your mind and says, ‘You’re so wonderful, the world is lucky to have you.’ Typically it’s the kind of thought you’d welcome, but you don’t do things the typical way. You submit it to the authority of Christ, and as you unsheathe the Sword of the Spirit, His Word, you learn that pride doesn’t please God. ‘Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself.’ As much as you’d like to embrace an exalted image of yourself, you can’t. You only allow what Christ allows. Here’s another example: this time it’s temptation. If you’re a male, the thought comes in a low–cut red dress. If you’re a female, it comes in the form of the hunk you’ve always admired. Temptation whispers, ‘It’s all right, you’re both consenting adults.’ If you aren’t under Christ’s authority you throw open the door but, if you are, you say, ‘Not so fast.’ Then you take this steamy thought before Jesus and ask, ‘Yes or no?’ And nowhere does He answer more clearly than 1 Corinthians: ‘You cannot say that our physical body was made for sexual promiscuity; it was made for God, and God is the answer to our deepest longings... let every man have his own wife and every woman her own husband.’ (1 Corinthians 6:13; 7:1–2 PHPS) Now, armed with the opinion of Christ and the Sword of the Spirit, what do you do? Unless the tempter or temptress is your spouse—you slam the door shut. End of story!
‘I AM WHO I AM’
And God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”… - Exodus 3:14
Whatever your challenge is today, whether it is physical, emotional, financial or marital, the great I Am declares to you: “I am to you what you need Me to be.”
Do you need healing? He says, “I am the Lord who heals you. (Exodus 15:26) And as you believe Me, you will see your healing manifest thirtyfold, sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
Are you groping in the dark, not knowing what to do? He says, “I am the light of the world. (John 8:12) When you walk in Me, you will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Are you looking for a way out of a bad situation? He says, “I am your deliverer. I will reach down from on high, take hold of your hand and draw you out of the deep waters.” (Psalm 18:2, 16)
Are you wondering if there is more to life than merely existing from day to day? He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) I came to give you life. And where there is life, there cannot be death. You will have life and life more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Are you fearful of what is ahead of you? He says, “I am the good shepherd (John 10:11), who leads you to pastures of tender, green grass and waters of rest. You will not suffer lack.” (Psalm 23:1–3)
Are you confused by the opinions and reports of man? He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. (Revelation 1:11) I have the final word in your life. The doctors do not have the final word. The experts do not have the final word. I have the first word and the last word in your situation.”
My friend, do not be fearful of the problems you face. The great I Am declares to you, “Fear not! For I am to you what you need Me to be!”
Thought For The Day :
God declares to you, “I am to you what you need Me to be.”
Free Christian Ebooks http://walthope.tripod.com
http://walthope.wordpress.com
No comments:
Post a Comment