The young man was self-centered and materialistic, with no
time for God the first time I met him. Several years later, I met a transformed
man, who was loving, generous, and prayerful. Who or what made the difference
for him? It wasn't a religious service. It wasn't therapy, though counselors
can play an important part in life change. It wasn't a persuasive presentation!
Jim had been saved from sin, born again through the power of the Spirit. It’s a
transformation I’ve seen in hundreds of people.
The Bible tells these stories, too. Saul was a
self-righteous Pharisee, a man who hated Christians. Acts descriptively says
that he was on his way to Damascus “breathing out murderous threats against
the Lord’s disciples.” Acts 9:1 (NIV) After an encounter with Christ, he
was filled with the Spirit. He took the story of Jesus to the empire, giving
his life to Christ!
Nicodemus was a man of influence,
well acquainted with religion, a wealthy man. In John 3, it says that he came
to Jesus at night. He heard Jesus teach and was drawn by the truth he heard
about a new way of life. In that conversation, Nicodemus heard these amazing
words: “The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born
of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy
Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don’t be surprised at my statement that
you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it
comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of
the Spirit.” [John 3:5-8 NLT] The Spirit-wind blew across his heart and he
was changed. He heard this promise, believed it, and the Spirit caused a new
birth! “The Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him
may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save
the world through him.” [John 3:14-17 NIV]
Held in the grip of guilt? Lost and wondering about meaning
for your life? Afraid to face God when you step into eternity at death?
Struggling with some habit that makes you a slave to sin?
Behavior modification is not the answer. Just learning to
manage your sin is no solution. Real lasting transformation of heart and mind
is possible. The simple promise is this: “Anyone united with the
Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life
burgeons! Look at it!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (The Message)
Has the wind of the Spirit blown through your life?
Have you settled for a routine of religion, a colorless life
that has little joy, little power, and no intimacy with God? Pray this
prayer and believe that He will come to you: “Spirit Wind, come
blow over me, again!”
Do not be afraid of the Holy Spirit. In our Pentecostal
church we emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit. Through my years of worship,
I have seen people do some crazy stuff in the name of God’s Spirit. We used to
be called 'holy rollers' because when some got ‘blessed,’ they would
fall to the floor and roll around! Strange things like that happen and some
call it "the move of the Spirit." In fact, a lot of that
expression is just people blowing off steam! Many of them are just 'emoting.'
The true wind of the Spirit won't lead us into silly, stupid
stuff. He will lead us into a deep reverence for God,
to a place where we know incredible peace and joy. He will change from the
inside out, making us into people of such profound love for others and for God
that we will gladly give up even our lives. Ah, yes... when the wind of the
Spirit blows over us and we are touched by God, we may well act out a bit
- shedding tears, laughing out loud, celebrating with joy unspeakable.
But, He won't cause us to lose our minds! The wind of the Spirit will
blow fresh life into our sin weary souls; and that's a fact.
Here’s the word from the Word - “Now, the Lord is the
Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. ... as the
Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and
reflect his glory even more.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-19 NLT
_______________________
Sweet Wind
There's a wind blowin',
All across the land.
Fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again.
Don't know where it comes from,
Don't know where it goes,
But let it blow over me.
Oh, sweet wind,
Come and blow over me.
There's a rain a pourin',
Showers from above.
Mercy drops are comin',
Mercy drops of love.
Turn your face to heaven,
Let the water pour,
Well let it pour over me.
Oh, sweet rain,
Come and pour over me.
There's a fire burnin',
Fallin' from the sky.
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I.
Can you feel it burnin',
Burn the sacrifice,
Well let it burn over me.
Oh, sweet fire,
Come and burn over me.
Author: Ruis, DavidCopyright: 1994 Mercy / Vineyard
Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
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