Before Marvel and DC - The Super Power of the Holy Spirit

I love The Avenger films. Probably because I love to see courage, loyalty and self-sacrifice on behalf of those who are in need of a hero. But unlike scientific experimentation, extraordinary engineering or even a vat of radioactive material, the greatest (and non-fictional) source of super-strength is the Holy Spirit of God. I submit to you one of the greatest transformations in history (not as in The Transformers - that's another post for another day), but I ask you to look with me at the supernatural transformation of the apostle Peter.

I don't know about you, but I am often in need of reminding that the original disciples were mere men  just like me. In the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) we can clearly see this. There were arguments over their individual positions of importance, freaking out in fear over a storm on the water, judging others and, of course, the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. But Peter's denial of Jesus is one of the most memorable evidences of the fallibility and humanity of the disciples. If you have never read this (John chapter 18), basically, when Jesus was arrested, Peter followed from a distance in fear of the people who were screaming for the death of Jesus. Not only that, but when someone did recognize him, he denied that he knew Jesus or was in any way associated with him, not once, not twice but three times! He even threw in some very coarse and vulgar language to "prove" he was not a disciple.

For brevity, let's skip to Acts chapter 2. The promise Jesus had given regarding the arrival of the Holy Spirit had taken place, empowering believers to start proclaiming the wonders of God in foreign languages. One of my favorite verses:

"Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd..". - Acts 2:14

After the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Peter had taken place, he experienced one of the most powerful, miraculous, and mind-blowing changes ever! This same man who was a coward in the courtyard had now, amongst scoffers (even before the religious leaders) "STOOD UP" and "RAISED HIS VOICE"! Seriously ponder that for a moment. In the flesh he was fearful, now through faith, he is fearless! The difference? The presence of the Holy Spirit!

My prayer is that I will recognize and realize that the same Holy Spirit, with His power, wisdom, and influence, dwells in me as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ! I pray that we all will become heroes for the faith - not by our own power or strength - but by His!

More or Less - "To Have More - Be Self-less"

"I want a feast! I want a bean feast!" I suppose I gave away the fact that I recently watched "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory". I always thought, "this greedy kid is singing about her greatest material desires and she wants beans?! She needs help - she needs it now. It's imperative to define "having much". I am not referring to material gain. God is not going to teach on the unimportance, even the distraction, of material wealth and then make requiring "things" a goal of a believer. There is a drastic difference between what we want and what we need, isn't there? If you are a parent, you may have actually found yourself saying this. "No, you don't need an Xbox, you want the Xbox."

 God said he would meet our needs (Phil. 4:19; Matt. 6:25-34) while warning us about prioritizing material gain (Matt. 6:19-21). I am well aware of the prosperity gospel and I support it - if it refers to prospering in the things of God over the world. I am simply saying that if following God meant every believer would be blessed with material riches, then I know several vagabond disciples who might disagree as well as support the statement that they were some of the richest men in the Bible, in the true, Biblical sense of wealth.

Seeking more of God should be every believer's desire. What a treasure it is to grow closer to Him and deeper in Him! Even the deepest and most rewarding vein of gold will eventually be mined out and left bare - but the love and the knowledge of God is endless!  Jesus told the Samaritan woman that if we drink from this well (the relationship with God in Christ) we will never thirst again.


Much Love!