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The
Challenge - Week One: A couple of years ago I was reading some of the writings of DL Moody and came across some very interesting things he said about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit. What follows is the rest of that reading and some thought on my part. I hope you find it helpful. - Louie When
you think of Pentecost what do you think of? More than likely it’s
tongues of fire and controversy if you think of anything at all. But
there’s a lot to more to it than that! Here are some aspects to this
great day that perhaps you haven’t thought about, but will hopefully
encourage and challenge you this week. RESTORATION When asked once whether people who have fallen and been restored should be allowed into public Ministry D.L. Moody said, “Well; David taught, I think, a great deal better after he was restored than before. Peter taught. His great sermon at Pentecost was after he had been restored. Someone might have said to him: “Didn‘t I hear you denying Christ and swearing the other night?” “Oh, yes; but God has forgiven me. “Peter spoke out of a full heart, because he had been forgiven. When God forgives a man; that is the end of it. He is forgiven —justified." Of course Moody was right! Two of God’s greatest servants were a man who committed adultery and murder and someone who denied Christ - three times! Yet look how God used each of these men! Not to mention Rahab, Paul, Abraham, etc. God is in the business of restoring people who have sinned and doing great things through them! Perhaps you’ve fallen from the spiritual life you once lived. Do you think this disqualifies you from service to God? Wrong! God loves you and will use you in His service if you will turn back to Him! Psalm 103: 1-5,10-12 just about says it all: Bless the LORD, 0 my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, 0 my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle... He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. SERVICE Jesus told us why He wanted us to filled with the Spirit; “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...” (Acts 1:8). We are filled to serve - not just to feel good! Here’s what Moody had to say about this, “I think that is where Christian people are misled The trouble is, they are not looking for the Spirit of God for service.” Remember God fills us with the Spirit so that we can serve Him better! If you want to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-lead then you must be committed to service! LIBERTY “I believe a man who is full of the Holy Ghost will have liberty. What we want in our churches more than anything else is this liberty. Why, look at the stiffness in most of our churches... When a man has the Spirit in him, he will have liberty. It won ‘t be hard or him to speak and testify. There ‘s many a man toiling hard in the pulpit, with no liberty — bound hand and foot. Oh, my friends, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there will be liberty. “- DL. Moody If you are lacking freedom from the fear of what others think, or are always afraid of what they’ll say, then you need the filling of the Holy Spirit. Look at how bold Peter was:
1) Pray to be filled with the Spirit and with boldness! 2) Step out in faith - act boldly expecting God to back you up with His Power and Presence!
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