Tarry Until

Luke 24:49, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until your are endued with power from on high."
Acts 2:1-4, "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven...and there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire...And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..."

Jesus had given a commission to His follower: "Go...make disciples of all nations..." However, before they fulfill this commission, he gave them some instruction - WAIT!

Before I go any further, I want to ensure (you) the reader about my beliefs on the Holy Spirit. It is my belief that once we are saved that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. We are baptized in the Spirit of God. That is a one time deal. However, we are to be continually filled with the Spirit. "And do not be drunk with wine...but be filled with the Spirit." Eph. 5:18.

I wonder how many believers run out to fulfill the commission without first waiting? Sure, God has saved us - equipped us - and in many ways prepared us. But do we pray for God to fill us?

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God has our complete attention. We are able to walk in an awareness of what He is doing ready to be equipped in the moment. Last week I shared the scripture out of Hebrews concerning faith that said that people became valiant in battle. That is what the power of the Holy Spirit is all about. When we prepare by waiting, we are then able to be empowered during.

The point of Pentecost was to display the power of God in the life of the believer, announce the birth of the church, and to manifest the presence of God in the community. When we choose to operate in the power of this Spirit we will do know less.

If you are saved, the Bible teaches that you have the Spirit of God in you. The question now is: Are you operating in His power, His gifting, and through His guidance? If not - START RIGHT NOW! Ask God to fill you with His Spirit. Ask Him to equip you for the task ahead. Allow that well inside of you to fill up to overflowing.

You may have to wait before you can go - but the outcome will be much different.