22 Mar 2007 - Acts 17:8

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Thank you Jesus for the inward work of your grace…forgiving, restoring,
healing me. May my life express your grace to those who are living far
from you and lead them a step closer to knowing you.

Scripture for today: Acts 17:8

What do you see? How have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit
in your life? In what ways has the Spirit shaped your character, values
and relationships into a witness of his grace?

A handful of Jesus’ original followers were commissioned to change the
world. Yet when Jesus physically left this earth it appeared that the
game plan was aborted. His followers became confused, troubled, fearful
and doubtful about their ability to change much of anything. In fact,
many of them just went back to fishing. But the remarkable fact is that
according to first century people these followers eventually “turned the
world upside down”(Acts 17:6). How can you explain this transformation?
The Holy Spirit was sent to empower all believers in life-change and
mission. Jesus changes us not by setting out rules, pointing a finger or
lecturing us but by actually taking up residence inside of our lives. It
is a mystery but it’s true. Jesus asserts: “But you know him(Holy
Spirit), for he lives with you and will be in you.”(John 14:17) The
Spirit of the living God resides with you!
Have you ever noticed how a stiff dried out sponge when placed in water
doesn’t easily absorb the moisture around it? Its hardness hinders its
ability of soaking up water. One could say that it’s one thing for a
sponge to be in the water but another thing for water to be in the
sponge. In the same way, every genuine follower of Jesus has the Spirit,
but it’s possible not to live in the power of the Spirit or in the
mission of God. Like Jesus’ original followers you can feel confused,
troubled, fearful and doubtful.
Surrender to the Spirit’s leadership and enter into the mission of
loving what Jesus loves most – people, people living far from him. Turn
the world upside down!

Holy Spirit, fill me, change me and lead me into your mission today. Amen.

Kurt Holm, The Creek Covenant Church