Scripture:
Acts 2:14-18 NKJV
[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. [15] For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. [16] But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. [18] And on My menservants and My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, And they shall prophesy.
Observation:
The Book of Acts is written by Luke and is the birth of the church age. It’s when the promised Holy Spirit is delivered and life for Peter and many others is altered in a major way. Never to be the same again. I love reading through it to remind myself of the authority that we have been given. Here in chapter 2, just a few verses before where we pick up this, see the Holy Spirit come down and rest on the apostles like tongues of fire, and some extraordinary things begin to happen. Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, stands to his feet and begins to say the words the Holy Spirit provides for him to say. Starting with a warning for all the men of Judah and all who live there. He says heed my words. In other words, pay close attention because what I’m about to say is life-changing. As I said just a second ago. When the Holy Spirit came down, it affected the disciples and those who had gathered with them in ways that had never been seen. All those walking through the streets thought they had been drinking. So Peter thought it was necessary to explain that it was not the case and to educate those who were saying that on what was really going on. What was happening to the disciples is what was spoken about in the Book of Joel in chapter 2 and verse 28. Peter thought it so important that he decided to recap exactly what was said in the book that had been written so many generations ago. In verses 17 and 18, Peter begins to go over the prophecy that Joel spoke. Talking about how the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all flesh and explaining what will happen to those who are overwhelmed by it. Dreams, visions, and prophecies will begin to come forward from those who are young and old, not to mention those who had been chosen by the LORD to serve HIM. Menservants and maidservants. As Peter continues to repeat the Old Testament prophecy. I’m sure those standing around him who were Jewish knew exactly what he was saying because all their lives, they had studied what the Old Testament said it was the light to their path. So there was no choice to this point but to take heed to Peter’s words.
Application:
The time is now. Over the past few years, I have seen GOD moving in a major way. I see people wanting to be used by HIM and the Holy Spirit overwhelming them in such a manner that you can’t help but see their entire personality change. Speaking the word of GOD with confidence and boldness, they never had before to tell the truth is rather exciting. I love it. I love to watch it work and see it happen. Watching new believers take hold of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives them is amazing. So let me tell you how this happens… or at least how it has happened for me. When I began to yield myself to the Holy Spirit, the LORD would always lead me to someone who was in a hard spot. I’m not exactly sure where the words came from because I believe they came from the Holy Spirit. But it seemed like the right words would just flow out of me like rivers of water. Coming from deep down in my soul. Scriptures would just start coming to my mind and out my mouth that I had no idea I had memorized. They would fit the situation perfectly. Along with the other words that were provided. I love being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit because when it happens, I know I had nothing to do with what was said. It also happens in the form of visions and dreams. In which I have had both as well. I don’t dream often, but when I do, they usually have significant meaning, and a vision I had is the reason I have to drive to build the company. GOD has made me a steward of. What I am telling you is this the Holly Spirit is being poured out on all flesh. What I am asking you to do is tap into the gifts that HE distributes and fan them into flames. Use them. Get used to how HE wants to use you and operate inside of that. GOD has a plan for you. HE wants to use you. There are people who you can reach that I can’t. HE has made you for such a time as this embraces HIM. Don’t push HIM away because you don’t understand it. Get in GOD’S word and find out how HE works and follow suit. You will find your gift, and once you do, DON’T LET GO.
Prayer:
Father, I see you moving. Help us all to see it. Show us all how it works. We want to be used by you. We want to see you operate through us. Wake your church up. Fill us with your Holy Spirit to the point of overflowing. Pour your words into our hearts so full that it’s all we can speak. Guide us to those whom you have chosen to hear it and let them flow. Our desire to be used by you is the strongest desire we have. It trumps everything else. Show us the next step of how to use the gifts you have given us. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.