Recently our church studied the Book of Acts.
We saw early Christians respond with courage to severe persecution.
We saw miracles were normal for the early church.
We might say such strong faith is something we long to see in our church.
But do we really?
We sing, “Revive us again,” and “Mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead.”
But do we really desire and plead for the presence and power of God to revive us?
I wonder if we are content with the “mercy drops”.
Maybe really we are satisfied to have the Lord simply break through, every now and then, to do a mighty thing or two among us, but we really aren’t serious when it comes to wanting to see the full power and presence of His Holy Spirit.
Now some say we are living in a different dispensation and that the age of miracles is over — that was for a specific time and place to authenticate the message of the apostles, but we no longer need that today.
- English: Sunrise on Mt. Sinai in Egypt (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Really!!
The church doesn’t need the power and presence of Holy Spirit today?
Miracles are happening in mission fields where people have never heard of Jesus, why not here?
Is not “Jesus Christ […] the same yesterday and today and forever” as it states in Hebrews 13:8?
I’m afraid we have become comfortable and accustomed to the absence of God’s Presence in our meetings.
In reality, maybe the Presence of God scares us, just as it scared the Israelites at Mt. Sinai, and as a result, we don’t experience the miracles of God.
And our faith is dying.
When God sends forth the Holy Spirit, amazing things happen:
Barriers are broken.
Communities are transformed.
Unity is established.
Diseases are healed.
Addictions are broken.
Marriages are reconciled.
Hope is established.
People are blessed.
Revival comes.
That’s what the preacher said.
And we know there is more he didn’t say.
Much more.
Let’s go for it.
Home's Cool! 
What an interesting question to ponder. I agree with your conclusion, that maybe we are afraid of the true power of God, as the Israelites were. Perhaps we are also afraid of confirmation of our faith… after all, if God really is who we say we believe He is, then we really should do what we read we should do in the Bible and we really should be that Christian that we all say we want to be. Hm. Thoughtful. Thanks. 🙂
Hi Victoria!
Oh yes — we really should!
And if God really is able to keep us from falling and present us unstained at His glorious throne, then guess who’s not so very connected to Him . . . 😐
I either totally believe or else I look totally wrong. Sighs.
Thanks for making the connection! 🙂
I’m watching the Bible on the History Channel, and after watching the crossing of the Red Sea, I asked, “how could those Israelites ever doubt God after THAT?” But your description explains why: Fear of the presence of God. Nice work on this post.
Wow, Monica! Thanks for stopping by and for these kind words! 🙂 Yes, I wondered that, too, long ago, but now I know: There is a difference between being afraid of God and being afraid to obey Him. One trembles to approach Him and the other trembles. Period. That one knows God is a consuming fire but fails to know that being burned up by Him is a blessing.
Now that right there is good word! Blessings!
Thanks, Rennie, and WELCOME to Home’s Cool! I am glad this could bless you and am always happy to share. You can read the rest of it at: https://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?q=geraldtrager&init=quick&tas=0.8841663608019952#!/jerry.trauger