As a very young Christian, I was part of a charismatic community that valued the work of the Holy Spirit, and especially the gift of prophesy. Since Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians was to earnestly desire this gift, I prayed and asked God for some kind of wisdom in exercising this gift that would also help me to avoid making a fool of myself or worse yet, be revealed as a public heretic. Read more »
Many ARC churches connected to the Ten Days Before Pentecost prayer focus with a mind toward opening to the influence of the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives. At the conference in April, I highlighted Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost and his reference to the prophecy of Joel (Acts 2:17-18):
17 ”‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
Dear brothers and sisters,
Many of you have just finished the Ten Days Before Pentecost prayer initiative and celebrated the outpouring the Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. I’m not sure how many of you experienced the sound of a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire, but I sincerely hope that your hearts have been opened to the presence and working of the Holy Spirit for greater fruitfulness in the mission that He’s called you to.
Acts 2:
1When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Read more »
Joining with everyone in the ARC to worship God, listen for the Spirit and ask for a fresh baptism of the Spirit’s power and creativity
Offering myself again as a servant of God’s heart to reach a lost world
Reflection & Discussion: Matthew 9:35-38
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ”The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Prayer: “O come, Holy Spirit, inflame my heart, set it on fire with love. Burn away my self-centeredness so that I can love unselfishly. Breathe your life-giving breath into my soul so that I can live freely and joyously, unrestricted by self-consciousness, and may be ready to go wherever you may send me. Come like a gentle breeze and give me your still peace so that I may be quiet and know the wonder of your presence, and help diffuse it in the world. Never let me shut you out; never let me try to limit you to my capacity; act freely in me and through me, never leave me, O Lord and giver of life!” (Michael Hollings and Etta Gullick)
Offering myself and my gifts again as a servant of God’s people
Reflection & Discussion: Romans 12:3-20
3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another Read more »
Offering myself again as a worshiper of God
Reflection & Discussion: Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 13:15
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Read more »
Committing again to be an explicit witness as the Spirit guides
Reflection & Discussion: Matthew 28:18-20
18And Jesus came and said to them, ”All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Read more »
Committing again to connect in love to the people with whom the Spirit has placed me
Reflection & Discussion: Ephesians 4:1 – 5:2
1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— Read more »