Ancient Words—Miracles of Jesus, Ask for the Holy Spirit
Luke 11:10-13 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
At the beginning of Jesus discourse in Luke 11, he opens with the Lord’s Prayer, the most recognized passage in all of the Bible. There is no other scripture recited by people of the earth than the Lord’s prayer. Yet at the end of Jesus’ discourse in verse 13 is one of the least known verses. Jesus after teaching a parable about boldness, persistence, and not giving up…says how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? When was the last time you asked for the Holy Spirit? How often do you ask for the Holy Spirit?
After Peter’s promise of the Holy Spirit with water baptism in Acts 2, those same converted believers assembled for prayer many days or weeks later in Jerusalem: Act 4:29-31 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. God granted more Holy Spirit.
Years later Paul addressed the converted believers in the city of Ephesus with a prayer for more Holy Spirit: Eph 1:17-20 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…
Gal 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Who doesn’t desire and need more love, who doesn’t desire and need more joy, who doesn’t desire and need more peace…ect…ect? Who doesn’t need more of the Holy Spirit? Romans 8:14-16 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected].
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The UNION County Fair!
Still being relatively new to the community, Elyshia and I had been hearing about “the fair” from the kids at church. They talked about the fair with such wonderment! We heard it told that if they behaved and kept their grades up then they would be rewarded by getting to go to “the fair”! Well, this past Wednesday night was Salvation Army night at the Union County Fair! We along with staff members and volunteers were on hand to accept canned goods for discount wristband tickets!
Being a people watcher in general, I was amazed at how many people came in so quickly. There was so much excitement! Long lost friends were greeting each other, hugging, laughing and sharing memories. People were pointing and marveling at the rides and plotting the order of their adventure, and the kids were too!
With all the excitement, it appeared at least for those few hours, that there were no worries or cares. People of all ages and all backgrounds were sharing the same place and event in one accord. I love it when we have events that bring everybody together. It’s kind of neat that it’s called “The Union County Fair”, because I saw “union” and unity Wednesday night!
Not everybody went or got to go the fair, but the ones that did had a joyful time! The chorus of one of my favorite hymns reads, “When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!”
John speaks of Heaven in Revelation 21 4-5, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Not just for a few hours, but eternity!
Captain Jason Perdieu is corps officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado.