. . . tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high —Luke 24:49
The disciples had to tarry, staying in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost, not only for their own preparation but because they had to wait until the Lord was actually glorified. And as soon as He was glorified, what happened? “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). The statement in John 7:39 — “. . . for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified”— does not pertain to us. The Holy Spirit has been given; the Lord is glorified— our waiting is not dependent on the providence of God, but on our own spiritual fitness.
The Holy Spirit’s influence and power were at work before Pentecost, but He was not here. Once our Lord was glorified in His ascension, the Holy Spirit came into the world, and He has been here ever since. We have to receive the revealed truth that He is here. The attitude of receiving and welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives is to be the continual attitude of a believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive reviving life from our ascended Lord.
It is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit that changes people, but the power of the ascended Christ coming into their lives through the Holy Spirit. We all too often separate things that the New Testament never separates. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an experience apart from Jesus Christ— it is the evidence of the ascended Christ.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit does not make you think of time or eternity— it is one amazing glorious now. “This is eternal life, that they may know You . . .” (John 17:3). Begin to know Him now, and never finish.
(Rockin’ Music Alternative)
Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Thank you for the lesson of yesterday and today. These two correlate with a song that got my attention in church Sunday. It was written by St Francis of Assisi in 1225. That in itself signaled me that perhaps you are putting things together to add up to “a message for me” That seems to be one of the ways that I hear your voice…. When several inputs all say the same thing. or at least related. The reference to brother sun, sister moon, Mother Earth, sister water, brother fire, etc was encouraging. Encouraging to see that for at least 900 years there has been at least a portion of your family that choose to see you in ALL of your creation and not relegate you to just the spiritual unseen realm. I’m happy to be counted with St Francis in looking at your Creation and expecting to find you in it. And I expect that you will show me how you see those who discover the systems of your creation… without necessarily finding “you” in the process and how I am to relate to that whole concept. Worshipping the Creation and missing the Creator.
That is a legitimate concern and I have plans for all. … But realize that “missing the Creator” can happen in any arena. Including Sunday Mornings. You can get wrapped up and stressed out in any environment and miss the most important part. Like Martha did when Mary zeroed in and focused. For now that is what I will leave you with … zero in and focus on me. You can’t go wrong with that. As the devo ended today….
it is one amazing glorious now. “This is eternal life, that they may know You . . .” (John 17:3). Begin to know Him now, and never finish.
Here’s the whole text to the St Francis song from 1225 AD.
1 All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O brother sun with golden beam,
O sister moon with silver gleam,
sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 O brother wind with clouds and rain,
you nurture gifts of fruit and grain.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O sister water, flowing clear,
make music for your Lord to hear.
Sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 O brother fire, so warm and bright,
chase off the shadows of the night.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear mother earth, who day by day
unfolds such blessings on our way,
sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4 All who for love of God forgive,
all who in pain or sorrow grieve,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ bears your burdens and your fears;
so, even in the midst of tears,
sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
5 And you, most gentle sister death,
waiting to hush our final breath:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom,
fair is the night that leads us home.
Sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
6 O sisters, brothers, take your part,
and worship God with humble heart.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
All creatures, bless the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One!
Sing praises! Alleluia!
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