Go, but before you go stay!

Recently the Holy Spirit dropped these scriptures into my mind.

“For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].

And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power]”. Colossians 2:9-10AMPC

I had been talking to Him primarily about prayer, how so many get caught up in telling God about the problem, of which he is already fully informed!

When listening to the voice of our problems more than listening to God’s word, our faith will always be an uphill battle!

I became curious as to why He was impressing these scriptures upon me. He wasn’t using a loud voice or having others give me these scriptures it was more a faint impression. This continued for a few days until last night when he took me on a journey through scripture to give me the understanding and application of these scriptures.

It’s so easy to ignore these faint impressions and dismiss them.

I want to share with you, what the Holy Spirit taught me to help me navigate all that life throws at me, the ups and downs, but especially improve the way that I pray.

We will be working backwards to go forward!

“[For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One)”. Colossians 2:2

Paul’s desire was for the Colossians to be more intimately acquainted with Jesus.

It’s the same for the believer today.

Paul outlines below the way that we achieve that intimacy.

“Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving”. Colossians 2:7

Intimacy is a two way process, to know and be known. Another way of expressing that word is ‘into me see’. We don’t want to be the one that Jesus say’s this to.

“ Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.

Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?

And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. Matt 7:21-23

A natural example of this would be, if you knew me, you would have access to my ‘great charm, amazing wit, love and encouragement’ and vice versa. However, if we never get to know one another we lose out on the joy of experiencing the God characteristics of each other. We are all made in the image and likeness of God and express his character in some shape or form!

“God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them”. Gen 1:26-27

Which brings us full circle to our opening scripture!

What could it look like having the fullness of the Godhead living on the inside of you, how might He express Himself through you?

In Luke’s gospel just before Jesus returned to the father the commission was to go, but before they could go, they had to stay.

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

Luke 24:29

We find in the book of Acts how the Holy Spirit changed 120 ordinary people into extraordinary believers. Who turned the world upside down!

They are gathered in the upper room, waiting, waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that he wouldn’t abandon them as orphans but that the Father would send the Holy Spirit.

“But the Comforter (Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you”. John 14:26

They fellowshipped together, prayed together and Peter took the opportunity to explain to the group the Judas situation. They cast lots and chose a replacement for Judas.

Do you ever wonder what you’d do if you were told to join a group of likeminded people, stay in a room together and wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit?

We have the benefit of scripture to know what that would look like.

But what if he said, stay where you are, and wait till the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power! We might be excited initially, but would you still be as excited on day 12?

The day finally arrives! The day we know as Pentecost, we celebrate it every year.

“And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place,

When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.

And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them.

And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words]”.

Acts 2:1-4

Can you imagine this happening in your church prayer meeting?

You have tongues of fire all over you, that can be seen you’re speaking in a language you don’t understand and some of the group appear to be drunk and it’s only 9 o'clock in the morning! And then you all go rushing out into the city centre and the languages you are speaking people in the town recognise it as their native language. You are preaching the gospel in the languages of all the nations present.

What just happened? The fullness of the God head just took up residence in your body and made it His temple and decided to manifest His presence through you to the world! And He didn’t do it quietly either!

People would have their phones out, making videos to upload to the internet, local newspapers would be rushing to get the scoop, and possibly interview you!

You might be one of those that appeared drunk. It would be all over the news locally, nationally, worldwide. Headlines read “God hits the streets in…….”

Not everyone will like it, some will be offended, some will mock, some might try and have you arrested! Some of those people might be your own family members or leaders of your church! Some will label it as demonic!

Peter took the opportunity to address the crowd. Full of the Holy Spirit, Peter gave them the gospel, it was so powerful that, “Now when they heard this they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (special messengers), Brethren, what shall we do”? Acts 2:37

3000 people were baptised and added to the church that day!

What do you do with 3000 new believers? You have to form a community.

Which is what they did. “And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers”. Acts 2:42

Once you get a taste of being filled by the Holy Spirit, you want more!

They met in homes; it became a lifestyle! There was an expectation that wherever they went that opportunities would present themselves for the Holy Spirit to move through them.

What opportunities will you seize today?

As Peter and John were going to church one day (this could be anyone of us) their attention was drawn to the lame guy who regularly begged for money outside the entrance to the church.

How many times have we ‘not seen’ the people right under our noses who desperately need a touch from God?

This fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand.

When you see what I do, you will not comprehend’. Matt 13:14

We owe the world an encounter with God!

On this occasion, Peter, saw the man! ‘Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened’. Acts 3:4-7

Peter not only spoke out, but he went on to activate his faith.

The church went wild! They were ‘absolutely astounded’. This emboldened Peter even more. ‘Peter took his opportunity and addressed the crowd.’ Some didn’t appreciate this including the leadership of the church! He ended up in trouble with the authorities and spent the night locked up! There may come a day when you and I may be persecuted, even arrested for our faith!

“When the authorities began their questioning, demanding answers, Peter filled with the Holy Spirit gave them the gospel message. Scripture records that:

"Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marvelled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus”. Acts 4:13

None of us come to Jesus trained in spiritual things, it’s on the job training!

Upon release they return to the prayer meeting, “ When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—.”Acts 4:24

Without being filled with the Holy Spirit, I suggest that we wouldn’t be so confident and bold. We might say, “I’m not doing that again.” Maybe bow to the fear or ridicule of our friends or family. Bow to the pressure of the authorities even!

This is the kind of prayer meeting I want to belong to!

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31

They asked the Lord for greater boldness! Those kinds of prayer can cause the room you’re praying in to physically shake. I hope the thought of being in that kind of prayer meeting inspires and excites you to wait in God’s presence till the Holy Spirit fills you to overflowing again! Overflows you so much that you are compelled to go out looking and anticipating the Holy Spirit working through you!

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit". Ephesians 5:18

“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Corrie Ten Boom