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“Lions” Devotional 

Skillet

In the book of Acts, after the Day of Pentecost, people were filled with the Holy Spirit. Though we often think of the Spirit’s movement as an internal activity, the Spirit’s inhabitation of believers at Pentecost fiercely impacted their outward behaviors as well. One effect of the Spirit’s free flow that day was boldness. People began getting gutsy – they are telling people about the Gospel without reservation. 

We’re not waiting for permission

We defy our inhibition

Like our middle name is fearless

Unafraid

In Acts 2, Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples from the get-go, clarified the dramatic impact of the Pentecost on believers to those confused by its dramatic scenes. “In the last days, I will offer My Spirit to humanity as a libation. Your children will boldly speak the word of the Lord. Young warriors will see visions, and your elders will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)

As a result of their vocal witness, Christians are persecuted. They are sentenced and imprisoned. They are harassed and beaten. Yet, they remain unafraid of their present circumstances in a spirited preoccupation with eternal life.

By your power we will go

By your spirit we are bold

If we’re gonna stand we stand as giants

If we’re gonna walk we walk as lions

Absorbed with my opinions and my feelings, I can often lose sight of the bigger picture God is gifting us with through the life of His Spirit dwelling in us. 

A few years ago, a pastor I knew had abused a group of younger people. For several years, I found it difficult to forgive him. After I read a book about our need for community, about how at our core we just need love, I was convicted about my unwillingness to let go of my feelings about the situation – about my inability to truly forgive – and so I began to pray. 

As I prayed, I felt a release in my feelings – I think it was courage – and I began to surrender my un-forgiveness as I remembered God is in control and good and everybody needs community. This friend just went about it in the wrong way. 

I did not think I would ever come to that conclusion, but as I sought after God, His Spirit moved within and without me to open my mind, my eyes and my heart to the bigger picture of His mercy, and His grace, and His love.

If we lack the courage to stand and live for Christ, if we lack the tenderness to forgive, if we lose the love to love those who society says do not belong, then we need to be filled once again with the Spirit of God.