Joel chapter 2 verse 29 (NIV)
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
2 Timothy chapter 3 verses 1 – 5 (NIV)
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
Jesus stressed the importance of the work of the Holy Spirit especially after Jesus’ return to heaven. In today’s verse we read of Joel’s prophesy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the fulfilment of which began on the day of Pentecostal as we read in the book of Acts.
I have been particularly struck whilst facilitating an Alpha small group this year, of lives who have a regular connection to a church, but by their own admission have difficulty understanding the status and role of God the Holy Spirit.
As I have pondered this over the week I recalled the verse in 1 Timothy about lives having a form of godliness but denying it’s power. The list of people mentioned in Paul’s letter to Timothy bears no resemblance to the genuine and sincere folks who are part of that small group. It strikes me however that the devil certainly would prefer the wider church not to move in the might and power which is available to us through the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Those of us who have been blessed by the understanding and the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives, surely then have a duty to allow the Holy Spirit to move in our lives as He wishes, to encourage others in the wider church to invite Him to do the same in theirs. Surely then, the church will move in the might and power that God intends it to.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for moving in my heart and life through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit may I never hinder Your moving in and through my life. Help me to be obedient to Your direction for Your glory and the saving of lives through Christ. I ask in His Name. Amen.