August 5, 2020

August 5

Running With Jesus  

Acts 2:3 “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

     Fire in the Bible was always connected with God’s purifying presence.  When the offerings of sacrifices were made God would come down in the presence of fire and consume the sacrifices.  He led the Israelites by fire at night.  When the temple was established He came down and lit the fire on the altar of sacrifice that they were to keep it continually lit. ​It was appropriate for the Holy Spirit to enter the earth as cloven tongues of fire.  Luke tells us in Luke 3:16 The Holy Ghost would come and baptize with fire. On this day this fulfillment of the prophesy of Joel  was fulfilled  about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Joel 2:28 says “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. ​The cloven tongues of fire separated and rested upon each of them.  The fire purified and ignited mans hearts and then they would go forth and ignite the lives of other believers. ​God has chosen to use us as earthen vessels to dwell in and take the message of salvation to the world. When we are born again God purifies our hearts and comes to dwell in us.  Our souls are set on fire.  We become new and old things pass away.  Our lives are changed and we are to become a light on a hill for all the world to see Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.  

​      My question this morning,” has your heart been purified and the Holy Spirit ignited you?” The disciple’s lives were regenerated that day.  They were made right with God and their lives were so touched they would be willing to be hung on crosses, be beaten, sawn into and all sorts of persecution they would be willing to endure to take the gospel around the world.​They were touched by God and not some emotional worship service hyped up by man.  When these left the building they were transformed by God.  A few moments of emotionalism will not last, however, one moment of the fire of God igniting our hearts will last you for a life time.  When He touches us we will be purified and filled with His Spirit. 

Father, all I can say is thank You when I was eight years old You came into my life and burned the sin guilt away and came to dwell in my life to guide, lead, and direct me.  I didn’t understand to the fullest extent of what happened to me but I have never forgotten that touch of Your Spirit that night. I know You never took Your hand off me and worked in my life drawing me closer and closer as I grew to know You more each day.

     My prayer is each of you have a time like that in your life and know that His Spirit is in you. Did His Spirit purify your heart from the guilt of sin when He came in to make His dwelling in you? Are we living the ignited life?  Other’s hearts should burn when they get near us because they sense the indwelling of Spirit of God in us.

Lord, help us not put water on the fire in our hearts.                                                                           

     We better go have a think on some of these questions!   So I am checking out of here for the day!

In the morning, how God speaks to me here!  Ya’ll come back now!

 Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015