This quarter, we focus on the baptism with the Holy Spirit in our weekly devotional series. This week’s devotional comes from Luke 23 – John 5.
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49, NKJV).
Our digital camera was not working correctly, and we needed a new one. But shopping for electronics can be an interesting experience. You see, I still remember my parents’ old television that lasted more than 20 years. Those days are gone.
My husband and I started shopping for a new camera, and we were surprised to hear many salespeople say that products no longer are built to last a lifetime. They either break after a couple of years or they become outdated, making it necessary to replace them with a newer, better model.
How thankful I am that the gifts of God never become obsolete! The Lord has always been faithful to His promises, and His gift of the Holy Spirit truly delivers all it was intended for. His lifetime gift is as vibrant today as it was when first given to us on the Day of Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit is indeed a light that brightens a darkened world. He is the gift from our Abba Father—and a gift that the Lord wants us to fully embrace for a lifetime.
In Acts 1:8, the Bible talks to us about the power we will receive when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. The gifts of the Holy Spirit can be used 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and will never get old or outdated. As we embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit, He gives continuous renewal and wholeness. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to move in our lives, the more power we will experience as we live the abundant life for which Jesus gave His life.
As a new Christian, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and the Lord healed me. Each day, I am reminded of the Lord’s healing power in my life. My life was changed through that time of testing and, as a result of going through it, I know that God is real and He is powerful!
Then, a few years ago, I encountered God in a way that again radically changed my life. I thought I had experienced the maximum of His touch through the miracle of healing. Again, I was thankful that God’s promise is everlasting. During a time of personal brokenness, I learned to place God in the center of my life and as the focal point of my worship.
I felt like another woman Jesus spoke to in John 4:21-24. His words came alive to me: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (v. 24).
By surrendering completely to Him, I came to understand that to live a Spirit-led life, I need to live my life worshiping and praising the true God with all my being, all the time.
May we embrace the gift of a lifetime that can forever draw us closer to our Lord and Savior as we worship Him in spirit and in truth. May we live the fullness of the abundant life Jesus wants for us by discovering more of Him through personal worship. May He be the center of all that we do. May He be the reason for our passion to reach the harvest, and may His will and plans be the sole foundation of our Spirit-led lives until He returns.
By: Heidi Chambers, associate director of administrative operations with Foursquare Missions International in Los Angeles
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