LIFE IN THE PRESENCE BONUS 1: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

In our recent Prayer and Perspectives series, dealing with covid19
and the multiple challenges surrounding it, we’ve talked a lot
about the need for truth and wisdom. We’ve discussed the fact that
God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear but of Power and Love and a
clear sound mind. We’ve talked about the need for an ongoing
intimate relationship with Him…and the need to listen and hear. But
the truth of the matter is, many people, including many Christians,
do not sense the presence and power of God in their lives right
now. And many have no clear sense of God’s direction for their
lives in this moment. As we approach Pentecost (May 31 this year),
it’s possibly more important than at any time in most of our lives
to look and remember the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the
Pentecost immediately following Jesus’ resurrection. As promised,
the Holy Spirit, the very Presence of God, came to empower and
guide those first Jesus followers. And that same Holy Spirit is
available now to fill and guide and empower us. To speak to us and
through us. To give us power and wisdom here and now, in this
moment. If we’re willing to receive and welcome that! With so many
conflicting voices competing right now for our attention and
allegiance, and so many questions unanswered by those we expect to
have answers, maybe we have a real practical need to take a hard
look again at what it means to welcome the wisdom and power and
Presence of God into our lives.