CASE IN POINT: PETER (Acts 2) "..........being full of the Holy Ghost........, and was led by the Spirit .......... returned in the power of the Spirit ......... the Spirit of the LORD is upon me, ........... his word was with power ........... and the power of the LORD was present to heal them." (Luke 4:1, 18, 32. Luke 5:17) ".......... and the Spirit of the LORD came upon him from that day forward ............ prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him." (I Samuel 16:13, 18) Peter exploded on the day of Pentecost. He received the Spirit of God and his life was changed. His heart was renewed and he received a new personality. LORD JESUS said in the scriptures, "It is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing." This past three and half years he spent with the LORD JESUS, he was being moulded into shape. The LORD brought him out of nothing and moulded or fashioned a great instrument in the hand of God out of him. He called Peter, raised him, developed him spiritually until he conformed to the image of the man of God that God wants him to be. Peter is endowed with leadership qualities, oratory skills, determination, zeal, etc. But, just like man prior to the moment God breathed life into him, Peter is more or less like a statue. He is limited. He can not operate / succeed / prevail beyond a particular circumference in life - just like a chained dog. He is as free as bird - in a cage! How pathetic. His potentials as a warrior for Christ and as an instrument in the hand of God is somehow stunted and retarded. Then broadening his horizon in life in whatever area of human endeavour he finds himself is out of question. Peter, you are zealous; you are serious; you are determined; you are ambitious for the work of God but you lack the Spirit that quickens and give life. You need to be broken, spread out your wing like an eagle and soar high in the height / realm God wants you to operate. You need the breath of the Most High that will send spirit, life and charge into you. You need the Spirit that can make you live and stand on your feet like the man of God you are moulded to be. No wonder you boasted never to deny Jesus - this is zeal, seriousness and exhuberance. Yet, you denied him not once, or twice, but thrice! See what I mean Peter. But Peter the turning point in your life is here. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Ghost has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8). In other words, when the Spirit of the LORD descends upon you, you cease being limited and start being limitless. You are no longer tied down, you now break forth like calves in the stall. You spring forward (Malachi 4:2). Whatever area of human endeavour you find yourself, you discover you are more than up to the task as you get things done in line with the will of the LORD, to the glory of God, and for the edification of the body of Christ. You are designed and built from a scrap metal into a nice, beautiful, elegant, golden car. A delight to behold. But you can not operate at excellent level of efficiency God designed and build you to operate unless you receive a charge from the Holy Spirit battery. Your potential / ability / capability as a human being won't go far. You need a replacement. A new heart. A new battery to give you the Spirit - charge and get you activated for exploits in the name of the LORD. That charge came on the day of Pentecost. You received a new and fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Even the unbelievers perceive something new about the anointing, though they mistook it for a "new wine." They thought "they were filled with new wine" (Acts 2:13). Wow! Peter! That day you did the spectacular. You preached the first sermon in the church with boldness, power, zeal, strength, knowledge, wisdom, in demonstration of the spirit of excellence, like a learned fellow. You spoke convincingly with excellent oratory skills and captivating / anointed words of God. Thousands were there to listen. Three thousands gave their life to Christ. Wow! And to think all this took place without afore preparation. Of real and of truth, you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you through His Spirit in you. The difference between the Post - anointed Peter and Pre-anointed Peter is there and is clear for all to see. There is surely a big difference between your old being and your new being. The old is gone. Yeah, the old is gone. The new is here. And He is here to stay. Fellow child of God, the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry as a child of God can neither be overemphasised nor underestimated. The Spirit of God makes the difference there and makes the difference clear. The exploits are not the same at all. "They that know their God shall stand firm, they shall prove strong, they shall do exploits." (Daniel 11:32). Get to know more about the Holy Spirit, His ministry, impact and effect. The following scriptures are helpful insights: Spirit of truth, Comforter, teaches, enhances memory of gospel truth, testifies of Jesus and glorifies Him: Acts 9:31. John 14:16, 17, 26. John 15:26, 27. John 16:7, 12 - 15. Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the LORD, excellent sense of judgment, gracious and effective words: Isaiah 11:2 - 5. Acts 6:10. Dan 5:11, 12, 14. Dan 6:3, 4. Dan 4:8, 9, 18. Exodus 35:31, 35. Exodus 36:1. Ephesians 3:3 - 5. Ephesians 1:17 - 19. Strength (physical / spiritual), vigour, bravery: Judges 14:6. Judges 15:4. Fruitfulness, abundance, restoration: Isaiah 31:15. Ezekiel 36:26 - 30, 34, 35. Counter-attack on enemy forces on your behalf: Isaiah 59:19. Sure fulfilment of God's promises of greatness / enrichment / achievement / success: Zechariah 4:6 - 7. Haggai 2:5, 8. Ezekiel 37:13 - 14. Ezekiel 36:26 - 30, 34, 35. Choice of words, articulate, eloquence: Luke 12:11 - 12. Boldness in doing the will of God: Acts 4:8, 13, 31. Fulfilment of God's purpose / mission / tasks ordained by God / restoration / remedy to circumstances: Isaiah 61:1 - 6. Follow God and His word / will fully (even if others are finding it difficult to): Numbers 14: 23 - 24. Mood / Behavioral pattern, that is, being in the right mood to make the right move at the right time: I Sam 11:6 - 7. Create time to go through these scriptures. And pray about them relative to your self and personal ministry as a child of God. It's worth praying about. Believe me. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit. Even after filling you with His Spirit, on consistent basis, ask for a new and fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Continue to live a Spirit - filled, Spirit-full, Spirit-inspired, Spirit-led life. Remember, "for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14). "Quench not the Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). He thrives best in your life when you do not go outside the boundaries of the will of God. Christ is always willing to give you the Holy Spirit. "Receive ye the Holy Ghost", said He in John 20:22. Ask and you shall receive, He said. Giving your life to Christ (and acknowledging Him as your LORD and personal Saviour in your heart, and confessing the same with your mouth) normally comes first. That is when you are born of the Spirit. Then desire and ask Him for the Holy Spirit and, c'mon, get filled with the Spirit of the LORD! Consisitently and continually ask for a new and fresh anoninting of the Holy Spirit and be full of, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit every moment of your life. What a difference this will bring to your life and ministry as a child of God. May the good LORD continue to assist you to live a Spirit-led and Spirit-filled life. ..........not by power nor by might, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6) IN JESUS' NAME. Yours Adekunle O. Majek' H I A F E M Of impact, quality and excellence That's the Spirit! P.S.: I believe that this piece has been of blessing to you. Why not share it with others. To return to HIAFEM HomePage, click here. |
HOLY SPIRIT AND YOU IMPACT AND EFFECT OF THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT |
CASE IN POINT: PETER (Acts 2) "..........being full of the Holy Ghost........, and was led by the Spirit .......... returned in the power of the Spirit ......... the Spirit of the LORD is upon me, ........... his word was with power ........... and the power of the LORD was present to heal them." (Luke 4:1, 18, 32. Luke 5:17) ".......... and the Spirit of the LORD came upon him from that day forward ............ prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him." (I Samuel 16:13, 18) Peter exploded on the day of Pentecost. He received the Spirit of God and his life was changed. His heart was renewed and he received a new personality. LORD JESUS said in the scriptures, "It is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing." This past three and half years he spent with the LORD JESUS, he was being moulded into shape. The LORD brought him out of nothing and moulded or fashioned a great instrument in the hand of God out of him. He called Peter, raised him, developed him spiritually until he conformed to the image of the man of God that God wants him to be. Peter is endowed with leadership qualities, oratory skills, determination, zeal, etc. But, just like man prior to the moment God breathed life into him, Peter is more or less like a statue. He is limited. He can not operate / succeed / prevail beyond a particular circumference in life - just like a chained dog. He is as free as bird - in a cage! How pathetic. His potentials as a warrior for Christ and as an instrument in the hand of God is somehow stunted and retarded. Then broadening his horizon in life in whatever area of human endeavour he finds himself is out of question. Peter, you are zealous; you are serious; you are determined; you are ambitious for the work of God but you lack the Spirit that quickens and give life. You need to be broken, spread out your wing like an eagle and soar high in the height / realm God wants you to operate. You need the breath of the Most High that will send spirit, life and charge into you. You need the Spirit that can make you live and stand on your feet like the man of God you are moulded to be. No wonder you boasted never to deny Jesus - this is zeal, seriousness and exhuberance. Yet, you denied him not once, or twice, but thrice! See what I mean Peter. But Peter the turning point in your life is here. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Ghost has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8). In other words, when the Spirit of the LORD descends upon you, you cease being limited and start being limitless. You are no longer tied down, you now break forth like calves in the stall. You spring forward (Malachi 4:2). Whatever area of human endeavour you find yourself, you discover you are more than up to the task as you get things done in line with the will of the LORD, to the glory of God, and for the edification of the body of Christ. You are designed and built from a scrap metal into a nice, beautiful, elegant, golden car. A delight to behold. But you can not operate at excellent level of efficiency God designed and build you to operate unless you receive a charge from the Holy Spirit battery. Your potential / ability / capability as a human being won't go far. You need a replacement. A new heart. A new battery to give you the Spirit - charge and get you activated for exploits in the name of the LORD. That charge came on the day of Pentecost. You received a new and fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Even the unbelievers perceive something new about the anointing, though they mistook it for a "new wine." They thought "they were filled with new wine" (Acts 2:13). Wow! Peter! That day you did the spectacular. You preached the first sermon in the church with boldness, power, zeal, strength, knowledge, wisdom, in demonstration of the spirit of excellence, like a learned fellow. You spoke convincingly with excellent oratory skills and captivating / anointed words of God. Thousands were there to listen. Three thousands gave their life to Christ. Wow! And to think all this took place without afore preparation. Of real and of truth, you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you through His Spirit in you. The difference between the Post - anointed Peter and Pre-anointed Peter is there and is clear for all to see. There is surely a big difference between your old being and your new being. The old is gone. Yeah, the old is gone. The new is here. And He is here to stay. Fellow child of God, the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry as a child of God can neither be overemphasised nor underestimated. The Spirit of God makes the difference there and makes the difference clear. The exploits are not the same at all. "They that know their God shall stand firm, they shall prove strong, they shall do exploits." (Daniel 11:32). Get to know more about the Holy Spirit, His ministry, impact and effect. The following scriptures are helpful insights: Spirit of truth, Comforter, teaches, enhances memory of gospel truth, testifies of Jesus and glorifies Him: Acts 9:31. John 14:16, 17, 26. John 15:26, 27. John 16:7, 12 - 15. Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the LORD, excellent sense of judgment, gracious and effective words: Isaiah 11:2 - 5. Acts 6:10. Dan 5:11, 12, 14. Dan 6:3, 4. Dan 4:8, 9, 18. Exodus 35:31, 35. Exodus 36:1. Ephesians 3:3 - 5. Ephesians 1:17 - 19. Strength (physical / spiritual), vigour, bravery: Judges 14:6. Judges 15:4. Fruitfulness, abundance, restoration: Isaiah 31:15. Ezekiel 36:26 - 30, 34, 35. Counter-attack on enemy forces on your behalf: Isaiah 59:19. Sure fulfilment of God's promises of greatness / enrichment / achievement / success: Zechariah 4:6 - 7. Haggai 2:5, 8. Ezekiel 37:13 - 14. Ezekiel 36:26 - 30, 34, 35. Choice of words, articulate, eloquence: Luke 12:11 - 12. Boldness in doing the will of God: Acts 4:8, 13, 31. Fulfilment of God's purpose / mission / tasks ordained by God / restoration / remedy to circumstances: Isaiah 61:1 - 6. Follow God and His word / will fully (even if others are finding it difficult to): Numbers 14: 23 - 24. Mood / Behavioral pattern, that is, being in the right mood to make the right move at the right time: I Sam 11:6 - 7. Create time to go through these scriptures. And pray about them relative to your self and personal ministry as a child of God. It's worth praying about. Believe me. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit. Even after filling you with His Spirit, on consistent basis, ask for a new and fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Continue to live a Spirit - filled, Spirit-full, Spirit-inspired, Spirit-led life. Remember, "for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14). "Quench not the Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). He thrives best in your life when you do not go outside the boundaries of the will of God. Christ is always willing to give you the Holy Spirit. "Receive ye the Holy Ghost", said He in John 20:22. Ask and you shall receive, He said. Giving your life to Christ (and acknowledging Him as your LORD and personal Saviour in your heart, and confessing the same with your mouth) normally comes first. That is when you are born of the Spirit. Then desire and ask Him for the Holy Spirit and, c'mon, get filled with the Spirit of the LORD! Consisitently and continually ask for a new and fresh anoninting of the Holy Spirit and be full of, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit every moment of your life. What a difference this will bring to your life and ministry as a child of God. May the good LORD continue to assist you to live a Spirit-led and Spirit-filled life. ..........not by power nor by might, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6) IN JESUS' NAME. Yours Adekunle O. Majek' H I A F E M Of impact, quality and excellence That's the Spirit! P.S.: I believe that this piece has been of blessing to you. Why not share it with others. To return to HIAFEM HomePage, click here. |
