Power to be witnesses

It's Hazel here. Thank you for visiting our blog - we would love you to respond with some artwork that is prompted by today's challenge for the next fortnight.

It was Pentecost on Sunday, so it seemed appropriate to centre this challenge on the work of the Holy Spirit - which follows on well from Lythan's helpful reflections last week, which you can read in the post below.

The verse that I'm focusing on is Acts 1:8:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 2 records how the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and as a result they were able to speak in languages understood by those around, telling them about Jesus. Peter spoke with such power, saying: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."Luke, writing in Acts, records: "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

And the power of the Holy Spirit is just as available for us today - giving us power to witness to the saving grace of Jesus. Going back to Acts 1:8, Jesus said, "and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

The Holy Spirit isn't given to us as Christians just for us to enjoy and benefit in our pesonal lives, but for us to pass on the message of Jesus to those around us and further afield, even to the ends of the earth. A few years ago, it was only overseas missionaires who were able to share the good news of Jesus with 'the ends of the earth', but now, with contact made so easy by the internet, it is possible for ordinary folk like me to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Wherever God has placed us, we can call upon the power of the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ. Just as Jesus told the disciples to witness in Jerusalem, so we should be witnesses within our family and friendship circles, and then within our neighbourhood community and beyond.

Just a final thought - I looked up definitions of the word 'witness' - I'll share one of these:

"One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced."

As Christians we have a story to tell - a firsthand account - of our experience of God's saving grace in our lives and of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Below are the beautiful responses of our team to this challenge - we would be delighted if you felt able to respond with your own crafting, in which case please leave us a comment so that we can come and visit your blog.

Hazel

Pauline

Kim


Julie

Stacy

Lythan

Ruth



Tanis

Come Holy Spirit

This Sunday is the celebration of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus' disciples and how they set out in ministry.
Before his ascension to heaven Jesus had commanded his disciples
" Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples" (Matthew 28:19) but this isn't something that he called them to do alone. Although he left them, he promised them that the Holy Spirit would help them to fulfil this mission
"But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
and sure enough from being frightened inarticulate followers they became empowered and empassioned leaders, willing to stand up and be counted - even if others thought them foolish.
(How I love that the first known reaction to the moving of the Spirit is "these people are drunk!" Acts 2)

So what does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
well, I have a theory. And my theory is that, just as we all have different personality characteristics, so the Holy Spirit comes to us in different ways. For example, I don't speak in tongues. I'd love to and have prayed for it earnestly but no, its not happening. I know that were many in my congregation able to speak in tongues they would find it really hard to deal with. For other congregations it is not speaking in tongues that can be an issue.

But I know that I am filled with the Spirit - I have known moments when I can feel the presence of God with me. I have had times when I have had what I have thought was a simple impulse to do something which has turned out to be the answer to prayer for someone. I have been able to do things that I could not do in my own strength. For me, it is the quiet introverted way that the Spirit works in me because I am quiet and introverted. (Well, actually I am loud and introverted).

What is important is that we ask to be filled - and we will receive. We will receive. And it is not a once a year, now or never offer - there is always more power, more love to be shared.
What is important is that we do not class people by the way we see the Spirit working in their lives but rejoice that the Spirit has filled them - in whatever way that happens
What is important is that we are open to the Spirit working within us.
I know there are times that I fail to do that. That I choose to ignore the Spirit because I don't want to be challenged and pushed. I want a duvet day instead.
But when I am open, oh the joys! Sometimes it is a real rollercoaster ride but the love is amazing.
And Pentecost Sunday helps me to refocus and renew and re-open myself to the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, pray with me,
Come Holy Spirit!

Putting Him First

WELCOME to Salt today! Glad you decided to pop by!

I'm here to bring you your next challenge. My thoughts started with this quote from C.S. Lewis.

"Put first things first and we get second things thrown in: put second things first and we lose both first and second things" (C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock)

Over and over again I find myself putting second things first. And then wonder why things are falling apart.

C.S. Lewis hits the nail on the head here. Put God first. Put time with God first. Put thoughts of God first. Put God ahead of our own personal agenda and desires.

But things seem to keep getting in the way of seeing Him and seeking Him through each moment of the day.

The verse I chose for this week's challenge is from Matthew 6:33

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

As you think on this verse, and maybe find other scripture that expands on this thought, I'd also challenge you (as I'm challenging myself) to think of something that's keeping you from putting God first, and what exactly that means for us as Christians.

I'm leaving you with some lyrics to a song from a while back. Hope you have time to join in on the challenge this week!

SEEKERS OF YOUR HEART
Until we give You first place, until we let You begin
to fill us with Your Spirit, renew us from within,
nothing matters, nothing's gained.
Without Your Holy presence our lives would be in vain.

Lord, we want to know You, live our lives to show You
all the love we owe You, we're seekers of Your heart.

Ruth

Pauline

Hazel

Kim

Tanis

Julie

Lythan

Stacy

Wisdom

Today I'd like to share with you a reading from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening...one of my favorite devotionals.

"He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and

whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."—Proverbs 16:20.

Wisdom is man's true strength; and, under its guidance, he best accomplishes the ends of his being. Wisely handling the matter of life gives to man the richest enjoyment, and presents the noblest occupation for his powers; hence by it he finds good in the fullest sense. Without wisdom, man is as the wild donkey's colt, running hither and thither, wasting strength which might be profitably employed. Wisdom is the compass by which man is to steer across the trackless waste of life; without it he is a derelict vessel, the sport of winds and waves. A man must be prudent in such a world as this, or he will find no good, but be betrayed into unnumbered ills. The pilgrim will sorely wound his feet among the briers of the wood of life if he do not pick his steps with the utmost caution. He who is in a wilderness infested with robber bands must handle matters wisely if he would journey safely. If, trained by the Great Teacher, we follow where He leads, we shall find good, even while in this dark abode; there are celestial fruits to be gathered this side of Eden's bowers, and songs of paradise to be sung amid the groves of earth. But where shall this wisdom be found? Many have dreamed of it, but have not possessed it. Where shall we learn it? Let us listen to the voice of the Lord, for He hath declared the secret; He hath revealed to the sons of men wherein true wisdom lieth, and we have it in the text, "Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he." The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord. This is the sure clue to the most intricate labyrinths of life, follow it and find eternal bliss. He who trusts in the Lord has a diploma for wisdom granted by inspiration: happy is he now, and happier shall he be above. Lord, in this sweet eventide walk with me in the garden, and teach me the wisdom of faith.