from bogged down to fired up
“During those days, Peter stood up.” —Acts 1:15
Jesus commands us to go forth, bear fruit (Jn 15:16), make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19), and take more initiative in building God’s kingdom than the worldly take in making money (Lk 16:8). We are to be zealous for the Lord.
Nevertheless, many of us are rather apathetic and listless. We sit around and think of all the things we should have done but have never accomplished. We are like the disciples in the upper room who did not replace Judas for over forty days. Some of us have a backlog of things to do which spans forty days or even years.
The Holy Spirit is beginning to move to motivate us to do at least one thing. That one thing might be to be reconciled with somebody, forgive someone, or repent of at least one sin. The Spirit is moving ever so gradually. The water of the Spirit is trickling into our lives (see Ez 47:2). If we obey the Spirit in this one way, that trickle of the Spirit will become rivers of life-giving water (see Jn 7:38). By doing something in the Spirit, we open the floodgates for the Spirit to be poured out in a new Pentecost.
Prayer: Father, change me from bogged down and clogged up to wide open and free-flowing.
Promise: “It was not you who chose Me, it was I Who chose you to go forth and bear fruit.” —Jn 15:16
Praise: During the days after Jesus’ Ascension, the apostles chose two men to replace Judas. They drew lots and St. Matthias was the one chosen to join the ranks of Apostles of Christ (Acts 1:21-26). St. Matthias restored wholeness to the apostles. “I will give the victor the right to sit with Me on My throne, as I Myself won the victory and took My seat beside My Father on His throne” (Rv 3:21).
Reference: (Living in Reality, Seeking the Kingdom of God, and Life Style in the Spirit are all topics that begin the first week of the 40 Day Discipleship Formation. These teachings are for everyone and will help you fulfill your destiny to be a disciple of Christ. Visit our website or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com.)
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