Tag: wind
Building your life on the Rock!
Scripture reading for January 11th: Matthew 7
Key Scriptures: Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who build his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
To have a home that stands the tests of water, storms, and wind, it must have a strong foundation. To have a life that stands the tests of the world, flesh, and the Devil, that life must be anchored to the Rock of Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, Jesus Christ is our Wisdom from God! (1st Corinthians 1:30) These verses promise everyone a guarantee of a life-foundation that will stand up to any test! Hearing God’s Word and putting it into daily practice will never fail to anchor our lives to the One who spoke the word in the first place. His words are true in floods, storms and winds! This foundation will stand up to anything coming against it.
Contrasting this was the man who built his house on the sand as a foundation. To have a sand foundation was to hear the word of God and ignore obedience. When the storms came, this fool’s house fell with a great crash! Jesus was warning against any foundation other than the applied word of God!
Observation for over-comers: Check the foundation of your life–are you hearing and applying the word of God to all areas of your life? “By Wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” (Proverbs 24:3-4)
Power to Be a Witness
Scripture reading for November 6th: Acts 1-4
I was saved as a young teenager in a little country Methodist Church in rural Iowa. I gave my life to Jesus but did not know about the Holy Spirit or His work on my behalf. I grew up, went to college, got married and began to build a family and farming business, still unaware of His presence and power. I rededicated my life and my wife got saved in our late twenty’s and we began to hear about the Holy Spirit. The people we were studying the Bible with were different. They had power in their lives and were full of joy. The talked about being filled with the Holy Spirit and we heard some of them praying in a different language. When we visited their church, we heard a message in a different language and then an interpretation! This was fascinating! We even heard them singing in other languages and it sounded like heaven!
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
This experience began with a promise and command from Jesus right before He ascended into heaven. He ascended into heaven and two men dressed in white told the disciples that this same Jesus would come back in the same manner as He left them. They were to wait for the promise of the father as Jesus had told them! (Luke 24:49-53) This power from on high was sent from the Father to bless the disciples and enable them to do the work of God.
We all know what happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4. The disciples were all together in the upper room and suddenly, the wind began to blow inside their room! Tongues of fire entered and rested on each one and they all began to speak with other tongues and glorify God. They went out from that room speaking in other languages telling the wonderful works of God. Peter stood up and preached and 3000 repented, were saved, baptized and told to receive this gift of the Father for power! (Acts 2:38-41) The church was born and powerful witnesses spread the Gospel throughout the world!
Let me encourage you to seek the Lord for this power. Simply ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:9-13) The Holy Spirit is our “helper” sent from the Father to live in those who believe on Jesus Christ. (John 16:7-15) He takes the Word of God and reveals it to us. He is our Counselor. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is with us to strengthen us and enable to be a witness. We receive Him when we repent and are born again. We are filled with Him when we seek the Lord Jesus for that power. May God fill you with His Holy Spirit! (Ephesians 5:18)