Acts 1:8 (NIV)
“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.”
CONSIDER THIS
Everywhere the river flows . . .
Your turn: Everything will live!
It is Saturday, which means it’s time for a story from the field—a Holy Spirit story. Keep sending stories. So many are appreciating how so many of these stories are everyday ordinary stories. We can appreciate extraordinary and even sensational God stories, but it is more important to recognize, norm, and celebrate the ordinary workings of the Holy Spirit. Janet shares such a story today.
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Over the past couple of years, my brother and his wife have been facing foreclosure and eventual eviction from their home and finally went through a period of homelessness with no plan for what they might do next! This has grieved me and other family members greatly, as you can imagine.
Of course, we love him. We want the best for them both. We have tried lending money that would not be repaid, giving small amounts to help, giving advice and referrals for help, delivering food to their doorstep! We have prayed without ceasing. But addiction and long-established habits are some of the intractable problems I speak of. Anytime he would ask for help, it was only for money. Finally, I had stopped doing or saying anything but praying!
Yet recently as we were in this current series, I had finally learned where the two of them are now staying and thankfully have a roof over their heads! I took a day to drive in my car there, pulled up in the driveway unannounced, and there he came to greet me! We had a cordial and loving visit sitting in folding chairs in the front yard. Yet I wondered, “Okay, the Holy Spirit called me here today. What words should I speak?”
I started a conversation about our childhood, reminded him of how we were always at the church and all of the Bible stories we heard and memory verses we learned when we were kids. He agreed that he remembered, even though he hasn’t been a church-goer in many years. Then I just told him that I had thought of this story while driving that day (indeed, I was ruminating on our series): The story of the lame man at the Beautiful gate of the temple, how Peter and John could not give silver or gold that day, but instead in the name of Jesus they called on him to get up and walk! And he did and soon he was jumping!
My brother thought he remembered the story—I’m sure he wondered where this was going. But I just smiled and said, “I know you will get up on your feet again. I’m calling on Jesus for you. I promise.” He smiled.
That’s my story. I don’t yet know the outcome. Amen.
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Still day one.
THE PRAYER
Father, thank you for Janet and how you are making her your witness. We thank you for her brother and his family. We call out to them, in the name of Jesus, to rise above the circumstances holding them down, indeed, to take up their life and walk into the kingdom. Open our eyes to such situations in our lives, families, and communities. We confess we get so accustomed to how things are and the ways people are stuck and we slowly lose faith that change is possible. Awaken us, Holy Spirit. Praying in Jesus’ name, amen.
THE QUESTION
Are you growing in your awareness of Jesus Christ in you through the indwelling Holy Spirit? Are you learning to move through your days with the awareness that everywhere the river flows everything will live?
For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com
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One Response
I am growing in the concept, in the possibility, and even in the reality of Jesus in me through this amazing indwelling . I am moved with the audacious wonder of going as part of the vigourous flow of the river of life. But at the putting of all these into practice, at stepping out, I am still small and lacking in courage. I still need less of me and more of Him.
One name only
One body only