12/10/2018
Do you exercise the same Holy Spirit that filled Jesus? Have you acknowledged this truth that comes when He enters you at conversion, or do you read of the miracles and amazing things that were done by the apostles and wish you could accomplish such things? Now is the time to claim the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and then to go about the business of the Father’s will. It all starts in love...
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
If I were to ask one hundred Christian believers, who don’t feel they have the power of the Holy Spirit, to tell me what they would really like to do if they had this power... it would be my guess that 90% of them would say to heal people, and the other 10% would say raise the dead, make water into wine, or some other miracle. Perhaps this is why they feel so unfulfilled, and abandoned by the spirit. The first fruit of the spirit is love, and all else is built upon that. Until we have attained these precious gifts of God’s character, then the gifts of healing and the bolder outward gifts remain hidden in us. Before we can do the things Jesus did we must be who Jesus was, loving, joyful, peaceful, longsuffering, gentle, good, faithful, Meek, and temperate. Then, when we are in this way made Holy, then the miracles flow.
“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35 KJV
We talk a great deal about John the Baptist being born filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, but little is said about the fact that Jesus was born Holy. I hear the question asked often... when was Jesus anointed, as if this would be the point at which God would have called Him and filled Him with His Holy Spirit. Jesus, was like John, but was also born Holy. We are born neither of these until we are born again.
John baptized in water, but Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit. Aaron was anointed with oil, but Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power. So when you are baptized, and the anointing of Christ comes upon you... then the journey to holiness, and then miracles begins... first in goodness and character, and then boldly in healing or the other things; first in meekness, and then in power.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Acts 10:38 KJV
We want to jump straight into doing the powerful things that Jesus did, but we neglect to see those things that made him grow in holiness... the years before in which He did such incredible things as sit in the temple and ask questions of the doctors... just as scripture tells us He did as a boy in Jerusalem.
“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.”
Luke 2:46-47 KJV
So Jesus was born Holy, had His Father’s characteristics, continued to gain in holiness, and then was given the power of the Spirit, and finally the anointing to preach, heal, deliver the captives of sin, bring sight to the blind, and free those who were abused. But all of these things he was given in good time, and for the glory of the Father... nothing until it was acceptable to God the Father.
“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”
Luke 4:14 KJV
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Luke 4:18-19 KJV
So don’t be disappointed when you desire to heal, but God intends for you to first become as He is... loving, humble, and the other traits that identify you as His child.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33 KJV
There is a pilgrimage route called the Camino de Santiago that leads from all over Europe to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Pilgrims walk hundreds and hundreds of miles in suffering and faith to reach this place, but it isn’t until the last day that they glimpse the city, and the cathedral in its midst. Along the route their faith is grown as they suffer and contemplate God. This is our journey in the Spirit... first we learn of God and how to be identified as His children, then we receive that first glimpse of the gift... the power. Have you arrived, or are there miles yet to walk in the Spirit?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and for the Holy Spirit that He breathed onto us. I thank you for the journey of spiritual discovery that your Holy Spirit has been leading me on, and for each lesson I have received along the way... revelations in how I am to mold my character into the reflection of you. If I never received another gift, your gift of love is sufficient. If I then learned of your joy then that would be enough, yet you are merciful and loving, and desire for me to be like you in all ways... so in love we walk on, in joy I greet your presence, and all the while your Spirit comforts me... and gives me understanding. Praised be your name Holy Father, and in me might your glory abound, as I long for the day when I will hear you say... thou art my beloved child in whom I am well pleased... I yearn for this Lord, even though I know that it will be then that I am tested in the dessert... the Meseta of my journey... that place of temptation and trial. Help me Father as I prepare to not only know you, but to walk out from the desert as Jesus did; Holy as you are Holy, perfect as you are perfect. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who make me to lie down beside the still waters, who restores my soul, who walks with me through the valley, and who prepares a table for me in His house. Great is your name, and your glory abounds forevermore! I thank you now for your love and gifts, because even the most meager of them is sufficient for me.
Rich Forbes