Has God ever told you something? Whispered a word to your heart, comforting you in your time of need? God has spoken to me more times than I can count. It is up to me to trust God at His word. Because if God says it, you can TRUST it!
As I reflect back on last week’s blog and the scripture from John 20:19-23, I cannot help but to think about how those disciples must have felt after their beloved teacher had been crucified. I would have been locked up in that room just like them. But in the midst of their fear, Jesus came and spoke to them, just as He does to us today.
He said; “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Now we know, Jesus had to address their fears first before He could tell them what He really had to say, “I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit.” They had to be able to receive the word, so they could trust it. Because trusting it, means you believe it to be true. This is a faith-building exercise.
Jesus came back, because He said He would. And in these moments, with his disciples, He reminded them of all the things He had already told them. Yet, He had more to say.
He needed them to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit. Because He was sending them out, to spread the Good News. But there was one critical piece they were missing. Something they needed before they were to go. It is the same critical piece we need today as we do what God has called us to do.
“Receive the Holy Spirit.”
My study note reads, “they needed God’s help to carry out the commission they had just been given.”
It takes me to Acts 1:1-5, which reads,
“In my former book, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus tells them to wait for this gift.
The disciples were learning to trust God at His word in real time. They were living it out day by day. Aren’t we doing the same? The only difference is we get the value of the scriptures. We can learn from them and apply those lessons to our lives.
There are two lessons here. One, to hear God and trust what He says. But more importantly, the second, we cannot do anything without the power of the Holy Spirit. We must learn to trust this power. To move as it moves and yield when it yields. This is God in flesh, working within us.
So whatever God has called you to do, be it a writing ministry, singing in the choir, helping an impoverished African village, visiting shut-ins or working with children through the Boys and Girls Club, no matter what it is, you need to understand Christ is sending you. Sending you to do His work here on earth. But before you go, “receive the Holy Spirit.” Because without it, you can do nothing. But with God, all things are possible!
Let us pray;
God of all that is, create in us a new heart, a new mind, a new me. Stir in me a passion for You and your Word. Open my ears that I may hear what You are saying to me. And give me the courage to Trust You in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
P.S. Leave me a comment below because I love to hear from you. Forward this message to a friend and ask them to subscribe to my website. Post on Facebook and tag me in it. And until next time, receive the Holy Spirit! -M
One thought on “If God says it, you can TRUST it!”
Amen! Our Advocate in all things. Love you