The Holy Spirit Gives Us Power: Acts 16:16-24
The church of Jesus Christ was birthed on the day of Pentecost (50 days after Passover) when the Holy Spirit came as a mighty rushing wind and filled the followers of Jesus who were waiting and praying in the upper room in Jerusalem. Of the 500 people who witnessed Jesus ascend up into heaven, 120 of them were in the upper room waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had instructed all of the people who had gathered around Him to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that He had to leave earth, but He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Who would be with them/us to guide and help them/us in their/our journey on earth.
When the Holy Spirit fell on the 120 followers, they began speaking in tongues, other languages that other foreigners could understand. The gift of the Holy Spirit empowered the followers to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and 3000 people became Christians or followers of Christ that same day. The church was born and the followers became empowered to preach the gospel with signs and wonders (healing and miracles) following them.
On one occasion, the apostle Paul and Silas were preaching the gospel, and a slave girl who was a fortune teller was following them around shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit in the girl, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. Her slave owners were very upset because she made a lot of money for them. They were so upset that they charged them with a crime and had them beaten and thrown in prison.
Although the slave girl was telling the truth about who Paul and Silas were and what they were doing, Paul was annoyed that she kept shouting her proclamation of who they were. Paul had enough of it and commanded that the spirit in her come out. What was this spirit? It was a demonic spirit that gave her powers to predict the future and enabled her owners to make a lot of money with her gift. The spirit of God in Paul had greater power over the demonic spirit in the girl. In Matthew 10:8 Jesus commanded his disciples to, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons." What Jesus commanded of His disciples applies to us today. Often we forget that there is a spiritual world where demonic influences and forces are fighting against us and God. We do not need to be afraid, because the Holy Spirit in us is greater than the demonic forces in others. If you have not received the gift of the infilling or baptism of the Holy Spirit as a Christian, pray and ask God for that experience. You can also ask mature Christians to pray for you to receive that infilling. (Acts 19:1-6)
Personal Development Tip of the week:
How are you guarding your mind?
Your mind is one of the most powerful things you use every day to direct and empower your life.
Your mind is responsible for thought, imagination, memory, desire, pain, belief, intention, emotion, and much more. If we know how important our mind is it might also be important to take account of what is influencing our mind.
Every single day you are being influenced by everything you hear, watch, listen to, and experience.
Now let me ask you, are you bringing into your mind more things that are propelling you forward or holding you back?
Some things to consider...
What am I reading?
What am I listening to?
What am I watching?
Who am I surrounding myself with?
Am I spending more time in the Past, Present, or Future?
We have to remember that wherever we direct our focus is going to greatly determine how we feel and know that we can decide for ourselves what is serving us and what is not.
Clarity is power so the more you can get clear on how you are using your mind daily you can begin to transform and renew your mind.
The bible talks about renewing your mind but what does that really mean? Romans 12:2 (NIV) says, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve of what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
We renew our minds by getting grounded in the word of God and remembering the finished work that God did sending Jesus to die for all our sins and giving us eternal salvation in heaven.
The devil wants to influence your mind by attacking your past, the mistakes you've made so he can condemn you, make you fearful, shameful, guilty, and regretful. You can’t go back and change your past so while dwell and sit in it.
Ask God today to let you take the wisdom of your past to move you forward because God came to bless you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Prayer for the week:
Thank you, lord, for another new week and a great Monday. I ask you to renew my mind daily as I live for you and make numerous decisions throughout my day. Give me confidence and courage to step up when I’m fearful and to speak to any mountain that’s in front of my life. I am qualified and blessed in every area of my life and I will prosper this week in Jesus name Amen.
-Dayne
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The Holy Spirit Gives Us Power