Acts 9:17, “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
The period of time that is just ahead will challenge our faith, our determination, and our spiritual tenacity. Our mission is to publish the Gospel in all the world. That mission will be successful collectively as the Church. God has made provision and guaranteed that Jesus’ commission, that the Church go into all the world and preach the Gospel will absolutely be achieved.
However, if we are to enjoy success in our quest to fulfill God’s plan in our lives, we must be full of the Holy Ghost. The message of the Gospel will continue to be met with increasing resistance and opposition from the powers of darkness. The enemy is pulling out all stops, unleashing inconceivable wickedness, perverseness, and unholy terror in all the world. The buffer and the counterbalance to this onslaught of darkness and horror is the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit!
Jesus warned His disciples about what was ahead of them. But, He made provision to empower them for the task ahead of them. John the Baptist testified of the baptism of the Holy Ghost which would come after him and by Jesus Christ. Mark 1:7, “...There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Jesus verified this promise in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The promise was fulfilled in Acts 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8 was not only for the 1st Century believers but is for the Body of Christ, His Church. His promise extends to our time and to the consummation of all things. The power of the Holy Spirit will complete the mission Jesus Christ began and whosoever will receive His message will be saved.
We must take courage and draw our strength from the Holy Spirit as He indwells us. If we ask in faith the Father will strengthen us in the power of His Spirit. He will give us the power to face the enemy of our souls with faith and determination to see the restoration of His power in the churches. We must pray that He will create a hunger in each of us for a renewal of Pentecost in our congregations. I pray that God will make us hungry for Pentecostal restoration that will change our families, move our communities, and affect our nation. We desperately need God’s intervention. May we be able to pray, “I desire Your intervention, Oh God, have mercy upon us!” Be Full Of The Holy Ghost!
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