1.13 How to receive stronger signals from the Holy Spirit? Yesterday, we said that as children of God, we are to be led by the Spirit of God. This is the way that God leads us in the New Covenant. All of us desire to be led by the Spirit but sometimes we cant seem to get into HS frequency or the signals are too weak - like a single bar on the cell phone. How do we increase the signals? If we read the book of Acts, we find that there was a major breakthrough after the disciples received the Baptism in the Spirit. Prior to the Day of Pentecost, Peter had to draw lots to make the decision on who would replace Judas. They had the salvation measure of the Spirit in them but they were not conscious of the Person of the Holy Spirit before the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 1:24-26) 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, SHOW which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they CAST THEIR LOTS, and the lot fell on Matthias. After the Spirit had filled them on the Day of Pentecost, Peter started being conscious of the Person of the Holy Spirit in their midst. When he was being threatened by the religious leaders, he said that the Holy Spirit was also a witness to the redemptive work of Christ. Peter addressed the Holy Spirit as a Person. (Acts 5:31-32) 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and SO ALSO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Peter also started to receive stronger signals from the Holy Spirit - he received visions from the Spirit and the Spirit spoke to Him from within him. (Acts 10) 9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 19 While Peter thought about THE VISION, THE SPIRIT SAID TO HIM, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” That was the way the Holy Spirit spoke to the other disciples too such as to Philip, Ananias and Paul. That was the pattern throughout the book of Acts and that is how He speaks to us today. If we would like to have stronger signals from the Holy Spirit, we can through the Baptism in the Spirit, just like what Peter experienced. If we have not experienced the Baptism in the Spirit, it is our privilege to experience it just as all the disciples in the upper room did on the Day of Pentecost. And if we have received the baptism in the Spirit, we can remain filled with the Spirit every day. How do we maintain being filled with the Spirit? We can do so through worship - singing familiar songs and also singing spiritual songs in the new language as the Spirit gives utterance. (Ephesians 5:18-19) 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:06:07 +0000
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