Intimacy With GodSample

We are not merely called to experiences of feeling good or getting drunk in the Lord’s Spirit; sometimes God gives us experiences for a particular purpose, to heal us, or to prepare us. But it’s not about us. It’s not about our experiences. It is about receiving the experience to live a life for His glory. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). It is about receiving power so that we might pick up the cross and do those things that God has told us to do, things that will cause the world to reject us. Sadly, sometimes it causes the church to reject us. Hopefully it will not be that way forever.

The cross was an instrument to connote suffering. The gospel is not a gospel to come and get saved so you don’t have to suffer in the Great Tribulation. The gospel is more. To live in the gospel is to experience salvation and the power of God, so you can be faithful in the time of suffering. Some people say that they don’t need the Holy Spirit, don’t need the baptism of the Spirit, or don’t need to be filled with the Spirit. If you don’t want to do anything beyond your own human ability, you probably won’t seek the baptism of the Spirit. If you don’t want to bring glory to God, if you just want to be a good, moral person and get to heaven, then just His Spirit in you is enough. But if you want to be a believer who brings glory to God, you are going to need the power of the Holy Spirit on you so that you might do those things only God can do...and He gets the glory.

Prayer:

Lord, please fill me with Your Spirit and use me to do Your work. Thank You for allowing me to glorify You through Your power. Amen.