Fresh

Bread

Volume 33   Number 23 Jun 7, 2009

        God has something special for each one of us today. Did you come expecting today? This is a day to celebrate and commemorate. Pentecost, a Greek word meaning fifty, was an annual Jewish festival also known as Shavuot. It was a joyful time celebrating the wheat harvest fifty days after the conclusion of Passover, the first-fruits offering, Easter (where the lamb was slain for our freedom). The fifty days from Passover to Pentecost is called "the counting of omer." An omer is a measure of grain. Every day we are to count up to the pinnacle point of our redemption where God will manifest His presence and write His words on our hearts. This Old Covenant holiday was a foreshadowing of the great spiritual ingathering that occurred after the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first followers of Jesus. We have been brought out of bondage, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, to be His Bride, His most treasured possession, to worship Him freely in Spirit and Truth.
        Paul had Pentecost on his mind during his third missionary journey. Paul hurried to reach Jerusalem in time for Pentecost (Acts 20:16), and he told the Corinthians that he planned to stay in Ephesus until Pentecost (1 Corinthians 16:8). He was known as the greatest of the Apostles. If Pentecost meant that much to Paul, it should have significance for us. Many do not hear about the Holy Spirit. Many do not hear about the Holy Spirit. We worship the three in one Trinity: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
        The Word has gone through historical, philosophical, and religious critique. Some say "Holy Bible?" and reject the word Holy and the Old Testament as not relevant for today. That was under the Law, and now we are under Grace. Some say the New Testament miracles are impossible, and this baptism and speaking in tongues radical. Consequently, everything not accepted is ripped out of the Bible. What's left? The back cover, it's blank. They have created a "Faith of Convenience." Man does what is right in his own eyes without regard to God's Sovereignty, His Word, or His Will. Yet, we have much to be grateful for since we have been handed the "Full Gospel" with the Holy Spirit's power. From Genesis to Revelation is the whole Word of God.
        Joel 3:9-12 prophesied "harvest," the "valley of decision," God "uttering His voice from Jerusalem," the "heavens and earth being shaken," and the "fountain flowing from the house of God," the "rain," the former rain and the latter rain (Joel 2:23); all a continuation of the promise of the Holy Spirit's outpouring. Joel 2:28-32 gives us a picture of the birth of the church, in which God's Word centered around the Gospel of Christ and His resurrection, highlighted in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to all mankind for a grand harvest of souls. No one would be left out. Joel 3:13-14 says the harvest is ripe, for the wickedness of the people is great. Gross darkness is now covering the earth. Multitudes are in the Valley of Decision, for the day of the Lord is near in the Valley of Decision. We have all been to this "Valley of Decision."
        John the Baptist prophesied that God would endue His church with power. He also said that Jesus Christ would give His church a double portion of the Spirit, complete with rushing wind, flames of fire, and an astounding ingathering of souls and miracles. John said in Matthew 3:11: "He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." In Luke 24:49 Jesus, speaking to the disciples, said: "I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain...until you are clothed with power from on high."
        John 7:37-39: "If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me (trusts and relies on Me) as the Scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow (continuously) springs and rivers of living water." Speaking here of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were afterward to receive, for the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Where there is no water, there is no life. Spiritual life and energy are obtained only through the "Giver of the Water of Life." Revelation 22:17: "Come, whoever is thirsty, let him take the free gift of the Water of Life." Have you ever felt dry? You couldn't pray, didn't want to read the Bible, and felt so separated from the Lord. We are going to see how to stir ourselves up to satisfy our dry and thirsty souls.
        Jesus spoke to the disciples in Acts 1:8-26: "But you shall receive power (ability and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses to the ends of the earth." It is doubtful that they had the understanding of what to expect. As they were looking (at Him), He was caught up in the cloud, received, and carried out of sight. Gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold two men in white robes suddenly stood beside them, saying, "Why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven will return in (just) the same way in which you saw Him go into Heaven." They no doubt thought this meant that Jesus would appear to them again as He did for forty days after His resurrection. When they had entered (the city), they mounted (the stairs) to the upper room where they were (indefinitely) staying—Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer. About 120 gathered. Peter rose among the brethren and said, just a little business meeting —replacing Judas. ....They prayed and said, "You, Lord, You know all hearts (their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one You have chosen. Lots were drawn, and Matthias replaced Judas.
        Acts 2:1-16: And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place. Ten days since Jesus was last seen. 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. Appearing was tongues like fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them. The Holy Spirit would be poured out on all flesh, frail human vessels anointed as a new priesthood, under the new covenant that is not based on race, gender, age, or economic status. And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages (tongues) as the Spirit kept giving them clear, loud expression.
        Residing in Jerusalem were Jews, devout and God-fearing men from every country. The multitude was astonished and bewildered, each heard their own (particular) dialect. They were besides themselves with amazement, saying, "Are not all these who are talking Galileans? Then how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own (particular) dialect? What can this mean?" But others joked of it proclaiming that they were simply drunk and full of sweet (intoxicating) wine. But Peter said, "You Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be explained to you so that you will know and understand; listen closely to what I have to say. These men are not drunk as you imagine, for it is only the third hour (about 9:00 a.m.). This is the beginning of what was spoken through the prophet Joel." Peter rose up out of weakness to a boldness and defender of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We, too, can come out of our stuff, cross over our Jordan, go into Canaan, conquer our giants, and become defenders of our faith. Our God is able to do it in us. Are we willing to trust Him for it?
        Acts 2:33, 37-39: Being lifted high to the right hand of God, received from the Father the promised blessing which is the Holy Spirit, He made this outpouring which you both see and hear....They were cut to the heart; brethren what shall we do. Peter answered, "Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it), and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and the release from your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." The greatest gift God gave humanity was Jesus Christ. The greatest gift He gave His Bride, the Church, is the Holy Spirit, His manifested presence in us. "Manifest" in John 14:21 means to cause to shine. We will look different when we encounter Him, just as Moses did when he came down Mt. Sinai. We should look different after being in His presence. "For the promise (of the Holy Spirit) is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, (even) to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself." Claim this promise and pray it in the Holy Spirit for your families.
        Three thousand people were converted in response to Peter's preaching, and within a short period of time 5,000. This was the beginning of the church. Through much persecution, the church has flourished, because what is born of God will never die. We can thank Peter for spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. The fire of Pentecost came to set surrendered hearts ablaze.
        When it comes to Pentecost, holiness is not a side issue—it is the essence of the Holy Spirit's work when allowed to come in full power. He will burn up the sin in our lives, bring conviction, search our motives, uproot unforgiveness, pride, and self-centeredness. We want the Holy Spirit to comfort us but never to convict us. We want Him to heal us but not to inhabit us. We want him to give us the American dream, yet He seeks to give us the dream of God, which is man living in the image of God.
        There is nothing new under the sun. As computer people know that "twittering" is instant messaging between people at the same time, let's see how this applies to praying in the Holy Spirit, and we, too, can become twitters. Isaiah 38:14: Like a twittering swallow or a crane, do I chirp and chatter; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary and dim with looking upward, O Lord, I am oppressed; take my side and be my security. As we yield our will and pray in tongues, twittering, saying to God, "I need you," the Holy Spirit then takes over allowing the prayer to come from deep within His power. It is like a crane or swallow that is twittering, singing praises to God reminding us to do the same.
        Here is what tongues of fire will do for you. God promised He will empower you to be a witness. He is edifying and building you up in your inner spirit man. He will reveal mysteries and secrets of the Kingdom to you. You will have a knowing how He is directing you. The enemy will not know what you and God are saying. He will give you power and authority over the enemy. You will develop discernment and convictions. Your conscience will come alive. You will feel the depth of God's love for you. He will give you a deeper hunger for the Word of God, and you will receive revelation and understanding of the Word. He will empower you to find the will of God, His purpose and plan in your life. You will be empowered to heal the sick, to cast out demons, and joy will be released with a new outlook.
        Revelation 21:3, 12, : See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God...Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me to repay and render to each one what his own actions and his own work merit. Verses 18-19 God warns: Do not add or take away from the Holy Bible which relates to Christ's kingdom and it's speedy triumph. We are the overcoming Bride of Christ because we worship and honor the Holy Spirit and welcome Him.
        How desperately America and her churches need Pentecost. Come fire of God, set us ablaze for Your glory. Purify us, find Your resting place in us, and fill us to overflowing. Empower us to be Your witnesses, empower us to do creative miracles and to raise the dead. Transport us to where you have divine appointments. Grace us for Your double portion of Your presence, fire, wind, power, and anointing.
        The Bride cries: "COME, HOLY SPIRIT. Live in us and through us for Your glory; let it cover the earth in us."

Rev. Beverly Bowman