Interesting that on the day the Holy Spirit was sent to empower the church, it was windy.
Not actually...it was the "sound of a mighty rushing wind that filled the house where they were sitting."
Ooops...one artist I have seen depicts the people in the upper room with hair feeling the effects of the wind! Would have been much closer to the real thing if he had pictured some covering their ears instead.
The sound was God's way of introducing special effects to in some way represent the audio reality of the giving of His mighty power people. It would cause them to be able bear witness to Jesus. 120 people were thus impowered..and all at once.
Feels a bit like the "wind" is blowing in Ogden. This place, like the Springs has interesting weather, including winds that come up quickly, blow strongly and then subside rapidly.
Fresh winds seem to be prevailing in the church as we gather...with hearts responding to the word, vision being cast for the future, and lots of prayers and tears. As I minister, I see fire building in the eyes of those gathered. It is a joy to be able to be here to help the church transition into the future.
What a responsive and good people have been left in the wake of Ray and Bev Wead's great faithful ministry here.
So...my days are pretty busy...evening commitments, lots of teaching and discipling, a funeral tomorrow for people not even in the family that worships here. I'm going into that opportunity believing God for 10 people hungry enough to come to me and ask for a booklet that clearly explains how to come to faith in Christ and consequent transformation. Funeral is at 2...be praying.
Oh, and you should see Jackie as she loves on people, prays and speaks over them and teams with me in every way. Incredible partner in it all.
Blow...wind of God...blow!
Posts
1 comment:
It is the inner-being that matters to God. Not outward dramatics. The Apostles in the Acts were not manipulated by the outer ballyhoo. Phenomena accompanying important and miraculous events that had no other outward evidence (Spirit falling on the apostles vs. raising of the dead) were perhaps a symbiotic measure of needed reassurance, but not the thing itself, as you reassure me by noting that this was a representation. The Apostles found their hearts fixed on an inward and peaceful certainty, and simultaneously reassured by an outward and (because of the critical circumstances) necessary sign. (Nevertheless, there are some interactions from God TO Man that are not mere representations. These are known as Sacraments.)
On the other hand, wind is pretty fickle:
"While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
"And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell." Job 1:18-19
Post a Comment