Today, on Pentecost Sunday, we will rightly hear about the power of the Lord and the Holy Spirit. The sound of the breath of the Holy Spirit that filled the house where they were sitting. The tongues, as of fire, that sat upon each of the twelve. The infilling of the twelve with the Holy Spirit and, of course, the utterance of other tongues, unknown to each of the speakers
Everyone becomes animated and excited about the power of the Lord and the Holy Spirit. And rightly so. But I believe that the Lord desires us to be so enthused for the other 364 days of the year as well. It is a personal decision between you and the Father: it is your business.
We all desire the power of the Holy Spirit to flow through us but, and I have to ask myself this question daily, why? Do I want to impress my brothers and sisters in Christ? Is it a power thing? Do I just want to see the effects of this power in my life? Yes, I ask these questions daily!
I was blessed to receive, by God’s grace, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit in October 1979 and it has taken me many years to finally understand, usually by my mistakes(thank you for your grace Father) that the scriptures are correct. The power of the Holy Spirit flows through me more effectively when my motivation is love and compassion.
1 Corinthians 13: 1 -3 says,
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding(roaring) brass or a clanging cymbal.
Though I speak wonderful words in my own language or in a tongue unknown to me, if love is not my motivation, my driving force, I become( I sound) as a roaring brass recepticle or a clanging musical instrument.
Verse 2: And though I have(the gift— these two words have been added by the translators) prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Though I see these manifestations/demonstrations of the spirit in my walk with the Father “I am nothing” without love being at the centre of it.
Verse 3: And though I bestow all my goods to feed( the poor– again an addition to the text), and though I give my body to be burned(as a sacrifice), but have not love, it profits me nothing.
This verse is self- explanatory and I have to say that I find all these verses humbling and thought provoking.
We all want to see the evidences/demonstrations of the Spirit in our walk with the Father, but it is not all about us, it is about profiting others, out of a heart of love.
1 Corinthians 12 v 7 is clear. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”
Hallelujah!!!!
Please enjoy this wonderful day, please enjoy the demonstrations of the Spirit but can I encourage you to seek the “more excellent way” for the profit/benefit of all. Amen.
Have a glorious day!