March 16
The Fire Inside
Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. ––Acts 2:2-4 NLT
One of Jesus’ last directives was for the disciples to stay together in Jerusalem until “the Father sends you the gift he promised” (Acts 1:4).
So there they were, 120 of Jesus’ disciples and followers, hunkered down in Jerusalem waiting for … what exactly? Put yourself in their sandals. Their leader has been executed and then—as He promised—has risen from the dead. They’ve seen Him, eaten with Him, touched the holes in His hands and the gash in His side. Now He is gone—swept up into heaven!––and they are told to stay in the very city where He was killed. Any moment now soldiers could burst through the door and arrest them, or worse.
Instead, there is a rush of wind like a great storm and in rushes the Holy Spirit! Along with the wind, flames of fire appear over each person and envelope—settle on—each of the 120 people. If that weren’t enough, everyone starts speaking in different languages. Many of the 120 were Galileans, but there were certainly a lot of folks who spoke different tongues––Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew, and possibly Latin, Parthian, and Coptic—but everyone was speaking a language other than the one(s) they knew.
The Holy Spirit will pursue you until He has your attention. He will use whatever means necessary. God loves you so much that after Jesus departed, He sent another Helper—His Holy Spirit—to commune with you, guide you, counsel you, and comfort you. He’s the most misunderstood and least-studied Person of the Trinity, but He understands you completely.
In fact—and this is the wild part—“God’s Spirit dwells in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Let that one sink in for a minute, because we don’t ponder that fact enough. The same Holy Spirit that fell on the “120 Fellowship” (the disciples in the Upper Room, Acts 1:15) 2,000 years ago is still in the fire, the wind, the sea, and the thunder. And He’s within you. Lean on Him; invite Him to guide and counsel you. Take advantage of all that God has given to you, man of God. Let the Spirit’s fire light you up and burn for Him!
Father, unleash Your Holy Spirit inside me and use me to do mighty works in Your name.