THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 “No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3) The Spirit of God is the Spirit of revelation, telling us about Jesus. The Spirit is constantly pointing our minds to Jesus, whether we realize it or not. He does this for everyone, everywhere, always, whispering Jesus…
The Spirit guides us together!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 1:23-26 “They prayed, ‘Lord, show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry. Then they cast lots.’” (Acts 1:25-26) Jesus promised that the Spirit would lead and guide them after He left (John 16:13). In this moment of decision, the disciples pray for guidance… then cast lots….
A witness to life!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 1:15-22 “With us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us… a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22) They had seen His miracles, heard His teaching, and see His love in action But it was His resurrection that stood out as the game-changer. Which makes sense, what use…
Both wait and go!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 1:12-14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” (Acts 1:14) Did not Jesus tell them to go witness – so why are they just praying? Actually Jesus told them to “wait for the gift” of the Spirit. (Acts 1:4) Once received, the Spirit would them propel them outwards as witnesses. And reading the…
Stop staring, get going!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 1:9-11 “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?” (Acts 1:11) Jesus calls His disciples to go, the Spirit equips us to witness. And we just stand there, looking up into the sky. We spend so much time ‘looking up’ in worship, yet so little time looking out. “I tell you,…
Power to BE witnesses!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 1:6-8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) God made Adam and Eve to be His witnesses in creation (Genesis 1:26-28). They received the breath (Spirit) of life to equip them for this task (Genesis 2:7)….
Catch the wind!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 1:1-5 “John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5) The prophet Joel predicted a coming day of judgment, the ‘day of the Lord’. The narrow meaning of the Greek word ‘baptizo’ is to immerse, dip or wash something, The figurative meaning…
Through the Spirit
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 1:1-3 “Giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.” (Acts 1:2) As the new Adam, the Son of God, Jesus was a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led human. Everything He did, He did in communion with God, motivated by His Spirit. Luke (the author) explains how Jesus gave instructions “through the…
Baby steps to better living!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:22-26 “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) Every move I make, every breathe I take, I move and take through God’s Spirit. Not only me, EVERY person lives by the Spirit (see Genesis 2:7). The problem is that we stopped keeping in step…
The answer to so many questions!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) These qualities are a helpful summary of all our God and life questions. What is God like… think of the fruit of the Spirit. What is…