* The Refreshing

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord 

in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, 

and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them 

cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.   And they were all filled 

with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, 

as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4

The word of God gives a vivid account of the disciples' baptism of the Holy Spirit.  However, there are other types of baptisms mentioned in the bible.  The Bible speaks of four different baptisms:

→    The baptism of suffering experienced by Jesus.
→      The water baptism performed by John the Baptist.
→      Christian baptism in water.
→      Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The word "baptize" means to completely immerse or submerge in something.

After the resurrection and prior to His return to Heaven, Jesus gave important instructions to His followers:

And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.   Luke 24:49

The promise to which Jesus referred was the Holy Spirit:

And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you.  I will not leave you comfortless.  John 14:16-18

This was not a new promise. The gift of the Holy Spirit had been promised since Old Testament times:

For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing yet they would not hear.   Isaiah 28:11-12

 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.  Joel 2:28-29

The Holy Spirit has many purposes in the lives of believers as discussed in the blog, 'Oh Taste and See'. One of the main purposes of the Holy Spirit, however, is to make the Christian a powerful witness for the Gospel:

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.   Acts 1:8

The true evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was visible immediately in the life of the Apostle Peter. Before the Day of Pentecost, he had fearfully and adamantly denied that he knew Jesus. After his baptism in the Holy Spirit, Peter stood and gave a powerful witness to the Gospel that resulted in the salvation of 3,000 people.

It was the power of the Holy Spirit in the early church that resulted in the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. The book of Acts is a record of this powerful witness which was evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit.

There are seven passages in the New Testament where the word "baptize" is used in relation to the Holy Spirit. Four of these are the words of John the Baptist recorded in the Gospels:

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.  Matthew 3:11

I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.  Mark 1:8

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.  Luke 3:16

And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.  John 1:33

Jesus also spoke of the baptism of the Holy Ghost:

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.   Acts 1:5

When Peter spoke of events which took place in the home of Cornelius he quoted the words of Jesus:

Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.   Acts 11:16

Apostle Paul also used the word "baptize" in relation to the Holy Spirit:

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:13

Use of the phrase "to baptize into" the Holy Spirit is the same as used to describe Christian baptism in water. In both cases 

baptism is an outward confirmation of an inward spiritual experience.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended from Heaven and completely immersed [baptized] believers assembled in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem. They had been waiting or "tarrying" for His coming as they had been commanded to do by Jesus. Peter said this experience was the fulfillment of God's promise,"  In the last days. . .  I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh".  This promise was given through the prophet Joel:

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions;  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.  Joel 2:28-29

Male and female, young and old were to be included in this outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They were to prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions. God's Spirit was to empower both servants [men] and handmaidens [women]. On the day the Holy Spirit was given, Peter said:

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.   Acts 2:38-39

Peter's words revealed that the promise of the Holy Spirit was:

                →    A national promise:                   "Unto you" [the Jewish people].

                →    A family promise:                       "Your children".

                →   A universal promise:                  "To all that are afar off".

If you have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, what are you waiting on?  It is a gift from our Heavenly Father and it is the Holy Spirit that enables us and gives us the power to live a life pleasing to God.

(Biblical Studies)

10/02/14

01/20/16
07/04/17
10/05/18
05/12/20

03/24/22

Be Strong and of Good Courage

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5








From the rising of the sun until the going down of the same, the Lord’s name shall be praised.  When I wake each morning, I give God thanks for waking me; for one more opportunity to worship him, for one more opportunity to get it right.  Every day that the Lord makes is good. 

We know that our Lord is the creator and ruler over all things. Knowing this, we shouldn't be fearful of anything that comes up against us. The word tells:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Psalms 23:4

We know that through God all things are possible; not by might nor by power but through the spirit of God.  So, I want to encourage You today to put your hope, trust and reliance in God knowing that He is able. 

Knowing, trusting and believing in God’s word is imperative if we want to achieve success; the success that God talks about to Joshua.  That is a wonderful account and the perfect example of how God wants us to achieve success.  He tells Joshua:   

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I  swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, that You may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded You;  do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from Your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, That You may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then You will make Your way prosperous, and then You will have good success.  Joshua 1:6-8

Be strong and courageous in the Lord, do all that He commands,  don’t waver, meditate on His word unceasingly and then will you make your way prosperous and you will have good success.  You won't have any reason to fear because we know that God is on our side!

God tells Zechariah

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying , This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

God makes it known again that it is His spirit that accomplishes His will; not by our might or our power.

Here is my prayer for today:

Dear heavenly Father we come to You this morning with an attitude of gratefulness knowing that You are the one true living God, the only wise God who provides shelter, love and protection to Your children.  We are honored and appreciative to come before Your holy throne to give You praise for all of Your many benefits unto us. 

Lord we thank You because we know that when we come to You in prayer and supplication that You will intervene on our behalf.  Help us Lord to trust and obey You, to acknowledge You in all of our ways, to look to You for direction.

Lord we love You for who You are.  You are an awesome God.  We thank You for Your grace and mercy, for Your loving kindness, for Your unmerited favor on our lives.  Lord we thank You because You are faithful to forgive when we come to You in true repentance and a sincere heart. 

We pray to You this day, Lord that You look upon us and meet the need of all those that need a touch from You today, who need to feel Your love, who are looking for a miracle that only You can provide.  Make crooked paths straight. Lord we pray, in the name of Jesus that You bind everything that is not like You.  Lord, we pray that You meet financial needs; that You release jobs for those seeking employment, Lord that You heal those sick in body, mind and spirit.  Lord You said that by Your stripes we are healed.

We thank You Lord because You tell us in Your word that Your grace is sufficient to keep us.  Help those Lord that are struggling to maintain their relationship with You.  Show up and show out Lord.  We pray for a mighty move from You.  Lord You said in Your word that we would do greater works, that power would follow after we receive the Holy Spirit; You said that signs would follow those who believe.   Lord get us to a place where signs and wonders follow after us; a demonstration of Your Holy Spirit alive and working in and through us.  We thank You dear Lord for Your precious gift of the Holy Spirit; the comforter that You promised would be sent to us.   

We thank You Lord for the communion You allow us to have with You.  We thank You Lord for the strength You provide, for Your comfort, Lord for sticking with us for being closer than a brother, for being our rock, our strong tower.  Lord we thank You for the foundation that You laid upon which we can build on and grow our relationship with You.  Lord we thank You because You've given us every thing we need for good success in You. 

Lord we praise and magnify Your name.  We lift You up as the center of our joy; the strength of our joy, our everything.  We thank You for the name of Jesus, the precious name of Jesus that we can call on in our time of sorrow and in our time of need.   Lord we recognize and acknowledge that we are nothing without You, that we can not be anything with out You, but with You Lord, we are everything.   With all of our hearts, Lord we praise and magnify Your holy name name.  Lord we extol You. 

And now Lord, unto You, the one true living God, the only wise God, the God to whom power belongs, we thank You and ask Your will be done in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  Psalms 91:9-11

God’s blessings to You this day. 

(Prayer)

03/17/15

Glorify God Prayer

In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.  

Psalms 44:8

I’m always grateful for another day that God has kept me and as Psalm 44 states, I will boast in the Lord every chance I get.

In Psalm 111, beginning with verse 1:

1  Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the  upright, and in the congregation. 2  The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3  His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4  He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5  He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6  He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7  The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure . 8  They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9  He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

In everything that we do, in every place that we go, we should glorify God to the highest and make it known that we are a child of the living King and that we serve the one true living God.  We should boast in the Lord of His goodness.  We should be lively stones; rejoicing in the fact that Jesus reigns FOREVER!

So even now, as we begin to pray, we want to thank God for His goodness unto us.

Dear Heavenly Father, 

We thank you on this day Lord for your grace and for Your mercy; for allowing us to see another day.  Lord we thank You because You first loved us, Lord You love us with an everlasting love; more than we love our self, with a love that surpasses all understanding, but we thank You for it Lord.  Bless Your Holy Name.  Thank You Lord.

 

Lord, it is an honor and privilege to come before You this day acknowledging Your sovereignty; giving You all the honor and glory for keeping us another day; for keeping us in our health and strength; having the use of our limbs and being in our right faculties, but most of all, dear Father, we thank You for a right mind; a mind to serve You and worship You in spirit and in truth. 

All blessings, honor and glory belong to You; it’s due You for You are the sovereign one; the Lord of Lord and King of Kings.

We thank You Heavenly Father because You are our keeper, the lover of our souls, the comforter, the almighty, the great I AM.  I thank You Lord for sticking closer than a brother.  I thank You Lord because You've never failed us; You picked us up out of a world filled with sin and shame.  You cleaned us up on the inside so that Your glory could be revealed on the outside.  You replaced our stony hearts with a heart filled with a desire to serve You.  You gave us a peace that passes all understanding.  I thank You Lord because You said You’d never leave us nor forsake us.  I thank You Lord because You've delivered us from our self.  Thank you Lord because You are a mind regulator, You sustain our mind.  You've kept us Lord, when we didn’t think we could be kept, You hid us in your secret place and protected us in the shelter of Your wings.  When we thought we couldn't go on, You gave us your word to encourage our self in, You gave us shelter in the time of our storms, You are our strength Lord when we’re weak and worn.

We come to You Heavenly Father with thanksgiving in our hearts knowing that You and only You are able to supply our every need; to equip us to run this race, to defeat everything that comes up against us, everything that is not like You.  Lord we thank You for the provision that You've given.

Dear heavenly Father, we thank You for one more opportunity to unite in prayer and supplication before You; for each time that we come before You in prayer.  We are humbled in Your presence.    

Lord we acknowledge that we just can’t do without You, we can’t win without You, we need Your power and Your strength.  We realize that it is no goodness of our own but You, Lord, in Your infinite grace and mercy, that keeps us and allows us to accomplish Your will in our lives.  It is Your grace, mercy and good pleasure that we are here today.  In You Lord, we have  a promise of eternal life with You. 

Lord, You instruct us to meditate on Your word day and night.  I thank you Lord for those portions of Your word that remind us of who You are:

2 Peter 1:4

You said in your word because of your glory and excellence, you've given us great and precious promises; promises that enable us to share your divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human lusts.

Jeremiah 29:11

You said You know the plans You have for us,” plans for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope.  You tell us in your word, that the battle is not ours, that it belongs to you.  So when we feel overwhelmed with the cares of this world, help us Lord to stand, when we've done all that we can possibly do, help us to stand with our faith rooted and grounded in you. 

Matthew 11:28-29

My God, You promised us rest!  You said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and you’ll give us rest.  You said to take Your yoke upon us and learn from you, for You are gentle and humble in heart, and we’ll find rest for our souls.

Isaiah 40:29-31

We thank You Heavenly Father because You give power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  You promised new strength to those of us who trust in You.  Lord You said we will soar high on wings like eagles.  That we’ll run and not grow weary; that we’ll walk and not faint.  Like Apostle Paul, I trust and believe that I can do all things in Jesus name thru Christ which strengthens me.

Philippians 4:19

King David said, “I was young and now I’m old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor their children begging bread.”  Lord God, I thank You because we know You as a provider.  I thank You because You favored me not to have to go without; when I didn’t know how I was going to make it; but because of obedience to Your word, You supplied all of my needs.  And because I know that You are not a respecter of persons, I know that the same God who takes care of me will supply all of our needs from Your glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Lord, I thank you because through You, we don’t have to worry and fret, be depressed or have any other negative feelings due to the cares of this world because despite all these things, whatever negative thing that may come our way, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, because You love us.  We thank You Father because You loved us so much that you gave your son as the final sacrifice for us.  We thank You God for the holy lamb, Jesus, who You sent here to save us and wash our sins away. 

We thank you heavenly father for Your wings of comfort and protection.  You tell us in your word to be careful for nothing; but in everything we do, by prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving, we are to let our requests be made known to You.   We thank you because we know You hear our prayers and our supplications and that You will answer us.  We thank you Lord, for we know that if we seek Your kingdom first and Your righteousness, that You will come down and see about us.

 Proverbs 1:33

We thank You Lord because when we heed Your voice and Your word, You said we will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

John 14:27

We thank You Lord for Jesus leaving us with a gift—a gift of peace of mind and heart. Jesus said, “And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

We thank You Lord, because You said if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive.    Teach us Lord to forgive and be forgiving even as You are.  Help us to walk in the fruit of  Your spirit.  We know that when we walk in obedience according to Your word that You will supply every need we have according to your riches in glory. 

Dear God, we thank You for Your great, everlasting faithfulness and unfailing love through Jesus Christ.  We thank You for Your goodness and for Your mercy.    Lord, we want to say thank You for all that you’ve done and for all that you’re going to do.

And now, Lord we pray that even as You are within us that You be with us, that You lead us and guide us, give us wisdom and knowledge to speak and act according to Your will; that we may be laborers in Your field; that we may draw others to You.  

We ask all these things and we thank you for all things, in Jesus’ wonderful name we pray, amen

In closing, I want to leave this final scripture with you:

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39

Give God the glory; thanking Him for joy, peace and Hope that we have in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I pray that all minds are clear and that something was said to encourage us to go on in Jesus name.  

Have a wonderfully blessed God-filled day!

03/23/22