Christmas came and went. Now Easter has also passed. At Christmas we celebrated the birth of a special child. At Easter we remembered how that child died some thirty-three years later, and we rejoiced in the knowledge that God restored Him to life.
In the time that has flown past between Christmas and Easter I haven’t managed to write a single blog post but I have been reading through the gospels using a Chronological Bible. Time might fly but more than anything I believe that God has challenged me to read Scripture slowly, and to take time to become part of what I am reading. In doing so I often find myself there listening to Jesus, being fed, receiving healing, and wanting to be everywhere that Jesus is.
If only I could be with Jesus all day long. Sadly time presses in, there are things to be done, with work usually the most unavoidable. Daily life conspires to shut Jesus out, often until the end of the day when sleep is calling and I finally stop.
This post was written on an aircraft at Dublin Airport while waiting for pushback and my flight home to depart. Time for the aircraft stopped while repairs were being made to a runway and during that delay I found myself back in Scripture. I’m into Acts now, which has taken me to Jerusalem to listen to Peter the uneducated fisherman preaching outside the Temple at Pentecost. Incredible how baptism in the Holy Spirit can change a follower of Jesus, even (perhaps particularly) one who has denied Jesus. Like we all have at times.
I don’t know about you but I want more of the Holy Spirit in me. One immersion is not enough. I want to be filled over and over with the same power that Jesus had and use it to bring glory to Him. Like Peter did. The same Peter who once caught fish but became a fisher of men. Peter the denier of Christ who saw 3,000 plus saved after he preached his first sermon at Pentecost.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
wisdom found in the terminal, or was it on the tarmac?
Funny how and when God decides to speak to us, David.
Of course, why am I not surprised it was in Ireland? 😉
Good reading from you again!
David said:
Thank you Julie! I had it written before the aircraft took off but time then flew and I didn’t get it posted! Slight rewrite was needed as we are now down in the Keys on our 40th Wedding Anniversary trip. Chilling.
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
Enjoy the keys— I’ve never been. We’re going down to rosemary in the panhandle next week for a few days
David said:
It’s beautiful here Julie.
francesrogers said:
Dear David, how blessed to read your heart again. It was worth the wait, even as yours is and will be. You are voicing so much of what I am experiencing in His Word. One verse a day is chilling enough; holding it and reviewing it all day is precious, even as you said, wanting to be where He is and “more of the Holy Spirit.” The world is hungry and thirsty for Him and His Spirit without knowing their need. Hope to hear more of your blessings from the Word.
David said:
Thank you Fran. If only I could write down everything I have learnt over the last few months of taking time with Scripture and the blessings I have received in reading only as much as the Holy Spirit prompts me to read. And I know there is so much more hidden there for Him to reveal to me in His time. God bless you and Jerry. Thank you for your faithfulness in encouraging others through ‘God’s Grace – God’s Glory.
francesrogers said:
Dear David, you are experiencing the overflow of His grace. There is too much for us to take in or to write it all down. Accept all that He gives as His special blessing for you. It will be reflected and channeled through you to others. Rejoice in the Lord and praise Him for His goodness.