Thursday, September 7, 2023

How can we hear?

We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” Acts2:11

What a wonderful thing to consider.  On the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled the first New Testament believers, the first act of the Holy Spirit was to make sure that the people on the outside could hear and understand the wonderful works of God!  It didn’t matter what language they knew. the Holy Spirit spoke directly to them in their own tongue so that they could know the message that God had for them that day.  As a result, many were saved and added to the church!

Today we live in a world with so many different languages, it is hard to keep track of them all.  Yet there are ministries out there working hard to translate God’s word into every known language so that the message of salvation can reach across the globe.  However, what about in our own area.  Yes, we can read the word of God, but many do not even look at it or understand the love of God flowing from it.  How can they hear the Holy Spirit talking still today?  Certainly, He makes provision for those next to us to encounter Him personally to be moved to change their direction in life just as He did when He first came into the world so many years ago.

Peter, on the day of Pentecost quoted an Old Testament scripture prophesying the many ways that the Holy Spirit will make Himself known in these latter days.  Below is a list of ways that the prophet Joel said the Holy Spirit would pour out in the days we live in.  He said:

These signs are physical evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence and according to this scripture, He can be seen all around us in nature.  The Holy Spirit is not trying to hide from the outside world, He wants to make Himself known and He wants to fill every believer up to the over flow.  Just as He spoke to the people on the day of Pentecost, He is speaking to the world today and has a plan to pour out Himself out again in these last days. We can hear and see Him in these days, we only need to look and see.

Today I want to encourage you to look for the Holy Spirit’s manifestations all around.  Start by asking for a fresh filling and following the directions He whispers to you on the inside.  Then begin to notice signs around you and be ready to answer the questions of those who may not recognize what is happening in the world today.  Begin today to point others toward Him then many will call on His name and be saved!

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 2:5-21

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 

6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 

7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 

8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 

9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 

10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 

11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 

12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.

18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’