Encouraging Notes

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THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU

We live in a world full of hurting people that know, somewhere deep inside, that there is a God. Because of the confusion in the world, I believe many are crying out and saying, “Will the real God please stand!” More than ever, the world needs role-models, those who are filled with the love of Christ and the power of God to help those in need! God loves every person you know or come into contact with, and he is longing to show them, through you, how much he loves them and how he can heal them!

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

The disciples already had the Holy Spirit in them when this command was given. (see John 20:22) But in obedience to the command given them by Jesus, they went into Jerusalem to the Upper Room and spent the next days in prayer until the feast of Pentecost. Those days in prayer ushered in a move of God so powerful that it changed the course of history and continues to change the lives of people every day!

The world around us does not need more good ideas or another display of talent... they need the manifest presence of Almighty God to be displayed through you and me. You might ask, “So how can I be endued with love and power like that?” To help you understand how you can step into the power of God, consider this analogy. It doesn’t take a bunch of work to get a suntan; all you need to do is relax in the presence of the sun. So it is with the power of God! You are a sponge, and what you soak up is what will inevitably come out of you. Someone once said, “Much prayer, much power - more prayer, more power - no prayer, no power!” 

As we consider the great awakenings and mighty moves of God throughout history, we see a common thread – prayer! Great revivals were always preceded by great prayer! It is essential to note that prayer that reaches heaven is prayer that recognizes the reality of God within and all around! No amount of works can connect you with God – only faith! This place of powerful prayer was described by King David as, “The secret place of the Most High.” It is secret because most people try to approach God and his life by works – and works will never accomplish God’s purpose! To enter, we must be people who believe in the reality of the God who created us! 

If you want this world to experience more of God through you, then intimacy with God in the secret place of faith and prayer is for you! I believe it’s time for a new tan… a SON tan! Don’t ever try to work it up – soak it up!As you head to your prayer closet today to enjoy your heavenly Daddy, please keep this in mind... Like the disciples, you will receive power when…

THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU