A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – November 25, 2019
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded,, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
The Apostle Peter went into the Upper Room one way and came out another. Peter was the impulsive one, that was always quick to act and quick to speak. Peter was the one that cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. He was the one that said he would never deny Jesus but denied Him three times. We know how Peter looked to us after reading the scriptures, but how do you think Peter felt about himself. Did he see himself as a great man of God after denying Jesus three times? Did he feel like he could ever be used again? Probably not. He was human, and he knew he had messed up and he probably felt pretty guilty and ashamed about his actions.
However, Peter was about to find out that he could be more than he thought he could be. He was about to find out that he was still loved by the Lord. He was about to find out that he was going to be able to do things that he never thought possible. He was about to find out about the Promise of the Holy Spirit and the empowerment and change that the Holy
Spirit was going to make in his life.
Do you remember the famous intro words used to announce the Superman series? “Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird: It’s a plane: It’s Superman! Yes, it’s Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.”
I realize Superman is a fictional character, but when a mild-mannered reporter steps into a phone booth and is converted into something totally different, that’s a good analogy of what happens when we receive the Holy Spirit. That is what happened on the day of Pentecost. Some normal everyday people, with short comings and hang ups like you and me, were transformed forever by the Holy Spirit. They were enlightened to know who they really were in Christ. They were given a boldness to be a witness. They were given certain gifts and talents to save and heal. They were the beginning of the modern-day church, which is the Body of Christ, and that is still continuing today all over the world.
We can be more than we think! We are not what the world, or some relative or friend, says we are. We are who God says we are in His Word! We are more than conquerors!!!
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:12-14) (Acts 19:1-7)
The Greek word for sealed = sphragizo – To stamp or mark with a signet ring or private mark. The “Signet ring” was engraved with the owner’s name or a design to identify his authority. It was used to attest to the authority of royal messages who carried papers stamped by the image on the ring (see 1 Kings 21:8). It was also used to mark precious articles. It proved ownership.
