MARCH 2 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: ACTS 1:8 & 4:32-35
The first century church didn't seem to know any better than to take Christ's commission seriously, and to trust the Holy Spirit totally to do the work He had called them to. It seems the modern church has lost much of the power that we read about in Acts that was in the early church. What has changed? The Lord's commission has not changed. The power of the Holy Spirit has not changed. The message of the Gospel has not changed. The need for the lost world to hear the saving Gospel has not changed. It seems the only thing that has changed is the church...we have changed. Second, we have also convinced ourselves that we can do the work of the Lord without the power of the Lord. The early church was absent all of the religious schools we now have. Jesus called everyday people to an extraordinary ministry. They were schooled at the feet of Jesus. They trusted in the Holy Spirit and when His power came upon them they obediently carried out the commission of the Lord, to reach all people as witnesses of Christ.
Francis Chan has written a book called, "Forgotten God.” In his book he speaks of the sad reality in Christendom today. We have forgotten that the Holy Spirit is God and that we desperately need Him in every area of our lives and in every area of the church. I have a great concern that the modern church has organized, planned and programmed the Holy Spirit right out of His church. It has been my great fear for many years that the evangelical church could do what it does without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Quite literally I believe this is where we are today. We need to return to our roots. To a place, like the church in the book of Acts...a genuine body of born–again believers who realize our desperate need for the Holy Spirit in everything. Lord help us to once again take Your commission seriously and trust Your Holy Spirit completely.
Please share your thoughts.
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