Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
True Pentecost
In Acts 11, we read of a historical change in the church that came through unnamed, Spirit-empowered believers. These were the first to take the good news of Jesus beyond the barriers of Judaism to the Gentiles. "But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20, ESV). I love the phrase "some of them." These faithful, unnamed believers had no idea of their crucial role in history.
Pentecost isn't just an event that occurred over 2,000 years ago but a living phenomenon still happening around the world. Somewhere at this moment, small groups of people are crying out to God, and his Spirit is falling on them, empowering them to be his witnesses to an unsaved world.
I once visited the city of Varanasi in northern India. A young, Christian woman arrived there at a time when less than one percent of the population attended church. She began leading people to Jesus one by one, and those converts began leading others to the Lord. This young woman didn't keep Pentecost to herself, and now thousands of dynamic believers in the region are powerful witnesses for Christ.
There are other Christians like her worldwide who cry out to the Spirit to take the Father's love further. Pentecost is happening right now. These disciples are twenty-first-century Christians who have been given first-century power.
Likewise, you and I are called to be equipped by the Spirit to do the work of God. I believe it is time for many in the church to no longer be mere hearers of the Word but also doers. Bible studies and prayer groups are good, but it is one thing to know about Jesus and his glory and quite another to have his Spirit living inside us so that we minister as he did. The Holy Spirit has come to live in us to accomplish his purposes through us.
I urge you to pray with me: "Lord, may I be strong in learning your Word and equally strong in doing your Word. Bring Pentecost here today, Lord! Amen."
__________________
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
|