A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (November 17, 2016)
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: (Matthew 3:11)
People in this world are hurting. There are many pressures in these last days. Financial stress, illness, and disease have pushed many to the edge. Sometimes they realize that their only hope, their only way of escape, is God. But it’s so sad when the lost world reaches out toward the Christian community and only finds more of the same problems. Where is the power? Is there any hope?
Yes, there is hope!! Everything Jesus said was and is true. He never lied. He said, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). Peter, a disciple of Jesus, seemed to be strong in faith and power but after the Roman soldiers arrested Jesus and took Him away, Peter became fearful and denied that he had ever known Jesus. Yet within weeks, Peter was preaching boldly in public and many signs and wonders (miracles) were taking place at his hands. What happened? What changed this man from fearful to bold?
The answer is he was filled with the Holy Spirit. This same power must be working in the lives of all Christians today. The promise of the Holy Spirit was not just for first century Christians. Peter said on the day of Pentecost, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off” (Acts 2:38,39). We are definitely included!!!How can we receive the Holy Spirit personally? Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13).
If your Christian life lacks witnessing power, or if you’re coping with problems rather than conquering them, then ask Jesus to baptize you with His Spirit. Jesus said, “I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)
