When we paused yesterday, we had started to consider the difference between the Peter we see in Luke's gospel, and the Peter that we see in Acts --- huge difference in the man!
What caused that difference?
Quick answer --- Acts chapter two: the filling of the Holy Spirit! Peter changed from someone who was afraid, to someone who was "filled with the Spirit."
The word used is a different word from one used further down in the chapter, in the phrase "filled" with wine. This "filled" has more to do with being "influenced, controlled."
Let me give an example: If I want to cut some of my quilting fabric, I must use my scissors or rotary cutter in a controlled way --- I can't just hold the cutting tool in my hand and whack away at the fabric and achieve great results. I must carefully control the tool, to achieve what I desire.
So, we can be carefully used by the Spirit, in this activity we call witnessing. You see, when the person you are speaking to can sense that you know what you're talking about, it's much easier to get their attention. They will actually want to listen!
How can you be filled?
1. Self examination -- this takes time; in daily prayer and Bible study
2. Confession -- get cleansed. You and I need to ask God to bring our sin to
mind; then name it. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
3. Repentance -- more than just an "I'm sorry" but a turning away from
the sin.
4. Ask God to fill you -- Luke 11:13 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?
When I'm helping my hubby with a project, and that project requires him to pick up some tiny new parts and place them carefully into an electronic assembly, I can't hand him the same gloves that he used to protect his hands while packing grease into a tractor wheel-bearing, can I? Well, you also can't expect our Father to slip His hand into a dirty glove (us, with un-confessed sin) and do His work.
But when we are cleansed and filled with the Holy Spirit, our fears will subside, and God can use us.
Thanks for sticking with me --- we'll continue on Monday, OK? Have a blessed weekend!
This is probably the most important step of all. I am reminded of the days when I was a teen and door to door evangelism was the hot thing. Not too much Spirit seeking going on there. No wonder it was not easy!
ReplyDeleteI've never been comfortable with the door to door thing. I know in my own life, I don't like folks coming to my door for pretty much any reason. I'm sure God can use that, and it has its place though. And I believe if we ask to be filled, we WILL be filled, regardless of where we are and the process we are using.
ReplyDeleteTo be totally honest here...I can do the first 3 things on the list pretty easily. It's number 4 that scares me. Be careful what you ask for, because you may/will get it. And if I receive it, I am responsible for following through with the tasks I am given. That truth weighs heavy on my heart.
Still, I know it's what God wants and I need to pray for strength enough to first just ask for the filling. Then for the strength to do whatever the filling requires of me. Gonna have to work on that really hard.
You are really challenging us Snoodles.
Thanks, Belinda, and Tonya, for your thoughtful comments. I, too, have concerns about folks who assign streets and then systematically go door to door to try to witness. I know that they are well-intentioned, and I know that God can use efforts like that, but as Tonya said, I wonder if the Spirit is as involved there, as He would want to be? It is He, after all, that draws a person to Himself, using the words we speak.
ReplyDeleteIn our study, I'm focused more on what we can do in our everyday lives, our normal routine, when God presents us with an opportunity --- we can either step up to the plate, or we can step away. I pray that I will step up and hit the ball.... :)
I personally do not like the door to door witnessing. I could go into a long story, but I'll spare you. This person I know claims to "evangelizing" and "witnessing" and it's more about her show than of God and I'm a little leary about it.
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you that you won the copy of My Name is Jack? Can you email me at mylife.onestoryatatime@yahoo.com with your email so I can forward it to the author. Thanks. Donna
I think sometimes the witness we LIVE is more important than what we tell. That is not to say we shouldn't tell though. My contact with others is limited these days, but I do pray that when I am faced with a situation where I can tell someone about God's love, that I too will step up.
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