“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8, NIVWomen’s Missionary Union (WMU), founded in 1888 has always been an auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The WMU vision statement reads, WMU “challenges Christian believers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God. One of the magazines published by WMU to the SBC is Missions Mosaic. The theme of the November 2010 issue, (Vol. 16, No. 3), is clearly Acts 1:8 and focuses upon the power of the Holy Spirit and boldly speaking and spreading God’s word.
This focus upon Acts 1:8 supports the WMU Watchword for 2010-2012, which is Hebrews 12:1-2. These verses urgently proclaim the need of speaking boldly and spreading the gospel. Verse 1 reads, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
My question is this, are we winning the race or losing it? Or better yet, are we truly even competing? Are we running the race with perseverance or carelessly sauntering along?
Acts, chapters 1 and 2 tell us that following the ascension of Jesus into heaven, about 120 of His believers had gathered together in an upstairs room in Jerusalem. Included in the group were the eleven Disciples of Christ; a group of women who were followers of Jesus; Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. The people gathered were ordinary men and women who were about to experience the extraordinary. It is important to note that according to Acts 1:14, the group was “joined together constantly in prayer.”
A great revival was about to begin. When the day of Pentecost came, we are told a loud sound resembling the noise of a violent wind entered the room; the group then saw what appeared to be tongues of fire resting upon their each of their heads and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
The city of Jerusalem was no doubt filled to capacity because of Pentecost and the news spread quickly. Peter used this opportunity to boldly proclaim the message he had been given. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”, Acts 2:38.
According to Acts, chapter 2, verse 41, those who accepted the message on this day were baptized and what had been a church of 120 had suddenly added about three thousand new members! The revival had begun and the fire was spreading! The truth of the gospel was spreading wildly and spreading quickly because of the hearts on fire with the good news of Jesus Christ. The men and women who had waited in prayer for the Comforter to come; those whose hearts were now filled with the power of the Holy Spirit were boldly speaking and preaching in the name of Jesus.
The same fire that burned in the hearts of that small group on the day of Pentecost can be, should be, burning within each of us today. As Christians, our hearts should be burdened for the lost. We should be denying ourselves daily, taking up our crosses daily, and obeying God without reservation. The whole world needs a spiritual wildfire to begin and it is possible because all fires begin with just one spark. Are you willing to be the one spark that begins a spiritual wildfire in your home, church, and community? If so, my challenge to you is this:
1. Commit to meet everyday for thirty days with a friend (or several) to pray and share God’s word with one another. Pray for your country and its leaders; pray for the lost; pray that we as Christians will have hearts on fire with the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaim Christ.
2. Commit to share God’s love with someone each day.
3. Don’t quit! Challenge others. Be faithful in prayer. Allow God to work, expecting that He will. Watch where He leads you next.
Revival begins from within with just one person. Dear Lord, please let it be me.
I’ll close with one last thought…Do you know what Satan loves best about Christians? Silence.
God Bless!
