Fullness of the Holy SpiritSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus and His apostles did great and mighty works to fulfill God's Will. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is very necessary to rise up and to do mighty deeds for the glory of His name. "Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion." (Isaiah 8:18)
Accordingly, the Lord God desires to fill you and your children with His Holy Spirit. Peter preached to Cornelius and his household how Jesus loved them and died for them as well. Till then they knew nothing about the Lord Jesus. "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word" (Acts 10:44). When they gave place for the Lord Jesus in their heart, they received the Holy Spirit.
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). These words of Joshua was fulfilled in Cornelius' household.
I happened to read a certain incident about a farmer in a magazine. The farmer had written on a wall in his house, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." It gave the impression that all the members of the family served the Lord faithfully. But it was not quite true, because his eldest son refused to accept the Lord as his personal Saviour and caused immense pain to the parents. One day, when the farmer was alone at home with his son, he showed him the text on the wall and said, "Henry! I do not like to be a liar any longer. You are a member of my family, but you do not serve the Lord God. So,I am prompted to add the word 'except Henry' to this text. I have to be honest before God." These words spoken so poignantly by his father from the depth of his heart, pierced the heart of Henry. He realized the need to become a genuine child of God. The Holy Spirit made him aware of his sins. Before his father could add those words "except Henry" to the text, he surrendered his heart and his life to the Lord. The entire family rejoiced in the Lord. The exultant father said that he could now honestly declare from the housetop, as Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
When I was a young boy, people would ask me, "What do you want to become?" I would answer them, "I desire to become an officer." And they would ask me, "Would not you become a preacher like your father?" I would reply, "Never will I become a preacher." But when I was nineteen years old, the Lord mercifully met me. He changed my life upside down. From that day I began to love the Lord. When the Holy Spirit filled me, he dispelled a vague fear that possessed me. I realized God's perpetual presence with me and began to declare to the people the blessings which God had showered in my life. Today, the Lord is using us, as a family, to carry the Word of the living God. He shows His love, compassion and comfort to thousands of desolate men and women all over the world through us.
Dear friend, whoever you may be, today the Lord wants to make your life holy and pleasing before His sight. When the Holy Spirit comes into you, you will be fully transformed (Acts 1:8; Joel 2:28). The Lord will perform miracles in answer to your prayers. The words proceeding from your mouth, charged with the power of the Holy Spirit will bring comfort and blessings to many people. Verily, the Lord desires to dwell in your home, be a shelter to you, meet all your needs and bring salvation to all the inmates. He will fill you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to stand as living witnesses in this world.
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Anoint me with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to serve Your mighty name as a family. I surrender my entire life into Your mighty arms. Come and dwell in my home. Use me as Your chosen vessel to bring Your abundant blessings, miracles and salvation to others. Help me to lead a god-fearing life and to be a living witness before everyone. In Jesus mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |