" . . . I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it."
~The Message~
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Response to the Holy Spirit
How do we respond when we hear the Holy Spirit's voice? Acts 2 and Acts 7 give us two different reactions.
In Acts 2, Peter preaches his very first sermon. In vs 37 it says, "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brethren what shall we do?'" They were willing to listen and ended up getting baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 7, we see a different response. Here, Stephen is preaching. He says similar things that Peter did. In this case the reaction was as follows. Vs 54 - "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and they began gnashing their teeth at him". They were unwilling to listen and ended up stoning Stephen to death.
Two extremely different reactions with two extremely different results.
The question is, "How do we respond when we hear the Holy Spirit's voice?" When we are 'cut to the quick' and we realize we have sinned, do we make excuses and come up with reasons why it's best to leave 'well enough alone'? Or do we go to the person, ask for forgiveness and try to mend a relationship?
When the Holy Spirit reminds us to read God's Word do we make excuses like, "I'm too tired," or "I don't have enough time," or "I'll do it tomorrow", or do we sit down and read?
In the middle of a moment with our children or co-workers or husband, when we are frustrated and want to lash out, do we listen to the quiet voice reminding us to keep our mouths shut and wait until we calm down, or do we ignore that voice and angrily vent, most likely damaging the relationship?
This really hit me. Everyday we hear His voice. What is our response?? Do we 'gnash our teeth' or do we ask, 'what shall we do'?
In Acts 2, Peter preaches his very first sermon. In vs 37 it says, "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brethren what shall we do?'" They were willing to listen and ended up getting baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 7, we see a different response. Here, Stephen is preaching. He says similar things that Peter did. In this case the reaction was as follows. Vs 54 - "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and they began gnashing their teeth at him". They were unwilling to listen and ended up stoning Stephen to death.
Two extremely different reactions with two extremely different results.
The question is, "How do we respond when we hear the Holy Spirit's voice?" When we are 'cut to the quick' and we realize we have sinned, do we make excuses and come up with reasons why it's best to leave 'well enough alone'? Or do we go to the person, ask for forgiveness and try to mend a relationship?
When the Holy Spirit reminds us to read God's Word do we make excuses like, "I'm too tired," or "I don't have enough time," or "I'll do it tomorrow", or do we sit down and read?
In the middle of a moment with our children or co-workers or husband, when we are frustrated and want to lash out, do we listen to the quiet voice reminding us to keep our mouths shut and wait until we calm down, or do we ignore that voice and angrily vent, most likely damaging the relationship?
This really hit me. Everyday we hear His voice. What is our response?? Do we 'gnash our teeth' or do we ask, 'what shall we do'?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Boldness
I read Acts 2 today. I was amazed at Peter's boldness. I need that. I was also interested that he immediately started a) quoting the OT and b) reminding them of what they had done to Jesus.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Acts 2:12
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
The Holy Spirit came in a powerful way. Everyone noticed. The believers had power and gifts they didn't have before. The crowds noticed because the Galileans were speaking in various languages, proclaiming the Good News. With God's power through the Holy Spirit amazing things happen. People notice. Non-believers are puzzled and everyone is amazed. I want to continue to be amazed at the work of the Holy Spirit through me and around me through the community of believers.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Prayer
Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
The apostles and followers of Jesus are waiting for the Holy Spirit who has been promised to them. They walked with Jesus. They saw amazing things. They were promised a comforter, a counsellor who would come. They watched Jesus ascend into heaven alive. The last instruction they received was to wait for the Holy Spirit to come (verse 4 and 5) and a promise that when He came they would receive power so they could be witnesses all over the world (verse 8). So they gathered together and waited.
I have trouble waiting. I get agitated. I want to find out the surprise, especially at Christmas. I want to see the results of what I am waiting for good or bad. This group was waiting. As they waited they prayed constantly. Constantly, I don't think I do anything constantly. Maybe I would have an easier time waiting if I spent more of that time in prayer. They also waited together. I have found that waitin gtogether is easier than by myself. I wonder what things would I see happen if during those times of waiting I "joined together constantly in prayer" with others who were waiting? I wonder how much more of the Holy Spirits power we would experience as a community if we "joined together constantly in prayer" before we acted?
This verse definitly grabbed my attention and has challenged me in my prayer life. I can't wait to see what God does as I try to obey.
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