LIFE IN THE PRESENCE BONUS 1: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

In our recent Prayer and Perspectives series, dealing with covid19 and the multiple challenges surrounding it, we’ve talked a lot about the need for truth and wisdom. We’ve discussed the fact that God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear but of Power and Love and a clear sound mind. We’ve talked about the need for an ongoing intimate relationship with Him…and the need to listen and hear. But the truth of the matter is, many people, including many Christians, do not sense the presence and power of God in their lives right now. And many have no clear sense of God’s direction for their lives in this moment. As we approach Pentecost (May 31 this year), it’s possibly more important than at any time in most of our lives to look and remember the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the Pentecost immediately following Jesus’ resurrection. As promised, the Holy Spirit, the very Presence of God, came to empower and guide those first Jesus followers. And that same Holy Spirit is available now to fill and guide and empower us. To speak to us and through us. To give us power and wisdom here and now, in this moment. If we’re willing to receive and welcome that! With so many conflicting voices competing right now for our attention and allegiance, and so many questions unanswered by those we expect to have answers, maybe we have a real practical need to take a hard look again at what it means to welcome the wisdom and power and Presence of God into our lives.