WE NEED TO LEARN FROM ACTS

          Good morning Church, in the last couple of days I’ve been prompted to go back to the Book of acts and reacquaint myself with what the Lord says about the Holy Spirit “in” us.  I know I’m always talking about the Holy Spirit in my writings but am I REALLY allowing God’s Word about the Holy Spirit---God’s Spirit—to be a “real” TRUTH in my heart and mind.  Our enemy, Satan, does not want us to realize the Power and Authority we ALREADY have “in” Christ through His Spirit “in” us.  There is no difference in Jesus’ disciples in Acts and God’s Born Again Children today.  We have the self same Spirit “in” us as they did, and the Gospel has gone out throughout the world, through their faith and works for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Yes, they were persecuted, and hounded for their beliefs and yes, they were even executed for their faith and beliefs.  But Church, remember that was only their physical bodies, “No One”, not even Satan himself, can touch our spiritual bodies when they are in God’s Hands of Protection.  Nothing can keep us from the Love of God. (Romans 8:35)

 

          One way we can fall into the wiles and deceit of our enemy is through “evil” fear.  Evil fear is one of the biggest tactics of the enemy.  Evil fear in our minds can cause havoc in our physical bodies allowing the enemy a foot hold into our lives.  “Evil” fear is exactly the opposite of “Good” fear which we are to have for our God.  The “fear of the Lord” (Revelation 11:18; 14:7; Psalms 34:9+11; Proverbs 24:21; I Peter 2:17).  That is a respectful, encouraging, peaceful fear for our Creator God, a fear that needs to be even more powerful “in” us than the evil fear that seems to be taking over our world today.

 

          The enemy is using the media today to spread “evil” fear throughout the world; beheadings, senseless slaughter of women and children, domination of mind and body.  With electronics today we can “see” anything around the world happening.  When our physical minds “see” this total disregard of human life, our physical bodies go into “fear” mode and I’m not talking about the “fear” of God mode either.  The enemy uses “terror fear” as his stepping stone to our reactions of self protection.  That “self” protection mode is built into everyone, even Born Again Children of God, BUT when God’s Children come to that point in our lives that inner Peace of God (God’s Love) needs to rise up and take hold of us, the “Good Fear” instead of the “terror fear” should take over.  I could go on and on about the negative, but the “positive” needs to be spoken here for the “Good” fear to be brought forward. 

 

          In the Book of Acts we learn about how the disciples were endowed with Power through the infilling of God’s Spirit, and how Jesus commanded them to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He (Jesus) who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42) “To Him (Jesus) all the prophets witness that, through His Name, “whoever” believes in Him will receive remission (forgiveness) of sins.” (verse 43).

 

          These verses were being spoken by Peter to the Gentiles who had opened their hearts to God’s Word.

Acts 10:44+45 (in part):

          “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the Word…” “the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.”

 

          Through Jesus’ sacrifices on the Cross, God has given us the ability to have His Spirit “in” us for leading, guiding, directing, hearing God’s Voice and Word, comfort, Power and Authority---“EVERYTHNG” we need to live life in God’s TRUTH.  And our faith in knowing Who we are in Christ is the Key to unlock that Power and Authority.

 

          Faith released from our spirit with God’s Word, together, are the two things that can bring results from spiritual as well as the natural worlds.  God’s Word is the only thing that activates our faith.  Trust and belief in our unseen Father of Creation “is our faith”. 

 

Hebrews 11:1:

          “Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (confidence) of things not seen.”

 

          Let’s conclude this portion with Acts 1 verse 8, Jesus was telling His disciples about the Holy Spirit that was to help them and us in the future.

 

Acts 1:8 (Jesus talking)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  (Being witnesses for God is “our” calling also.)

 

          Then in Acts 2 verses 1-4 it tells of how and when the infilling came about; at Pentecost with all being in one accord. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

 

          The Holy Spirit at Pentecost was the outward manifestation of an inward dwelling; enlightening; and confidence in Who we are “in” Christ, not within ourselves.

 

          Church, we need to get back to the “basics” of Acts and how Jesus told the disciples to do the works that is in God’s Plan to complete.  Jesus did His part in the Plan.  It is now our turn to do our part in that wonderful Plan.  Begin by prayer; reading God’s Word and listening for His Spirit “in” us.  God’s People, Jews and Born Again Gentiles, need to receive and show God’s Love at all times even in the midst of confusion or terror through discernment of the spirits—which is given by God through the Holy Spirit.  Pray, read God’s Word, and most important “LISTEN” to God’s Voice.  HE WILL GUIDE US!

 

How?  Again by:

 

                                           TRUSTING AND BELIEVING GOD

 

 

                                                  All scriptures are from: New King James Version of Prophecy Study Bible,                                                  General Editor-John C. Hagee unless otherwise stated.