THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 8:9-25
“Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17)
To have the Spirit, and to receive the Spirit, are two sides of the same coin.
The baptism of the Spirit happens to all of us when we’re baptized.
This ‘baptism’ is the filling or flooding of a person with all God’s grace.
We are all filled with the Spirit, but the Spirit works in us in unique ways.
These unique gifts will show themselves visibly, as the Spirit leads.
Some might prophecy, others speak in unknown languages, others be healed, etc.
This special ‘receiving’ is an outworking of being baptized in the Spirit.
And it happens as the situation requires, as the Spirit determines.
We can still pray for people to receive the Spirit in a special way.
For a sick person to be healed, for a sad person to be filled with joy.
For an addicted person to be set free, for a fearful person to become bold.
I’ve prayed for special demonstrations of power, to help, heal or bless someone.
But I can’t control (or buy) it; God decides who, when and how he works!
As you work with someone, pray for them to receive a special Spirit blessing!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, fill me, use me, and demonstrate Your power in the lives of those I seek to help and bless… not for my glory, but that they might know You better!
The Spirit of God is at work in His people. It can not be bought or earned. It is a free gift of God. And as on the day of Pentecost this gift ‘fall’ upon the people and great things happen such as speaking in their own language, or in this passage the laying on of hands. This gift of God gives His people different ways of Kingdom service. His Spirit resides in their hearts and I need to recognize how God works His wonders through His servants in many different ways. Open my eyes Lord that I may see Your Spirit at work through Your servants.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.