Open Heaven 17 September
MEMORISE: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [c]the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
Towards the end of His earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ gave us an assignment, commonly called the Great Commission: to preach the gospel to every creature.
He however, mentioned a requirement we would need before going out to witness to the whole world about Him the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8 ).
Embarking on the work of missions without the power of the Holy Spirit is suicidal. This is the reason we have casualties among modern day missionaries because some of them are not spiritually-equipped. While they have the zeal, many lack the spiritual empowerment for the work at this present time, just like Uzzah when the Ark of the Covenant was being moved.
“And when they came to Nachons threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there… for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.”
“2 Samuel 6:6-7.”
Presumptuous sin killed Uzzah. This is the reason David prayed that God should deliver him from presumptuous sins:
“Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins…”
“Psalm 19:13”
We need to be endued in the Holy Spirit before we can be effective missionaries. While the missionary mandate must be kept by genuine children of God, we must be sure to receive the power of the Holy Ghost before we start. We must therefore be baptised in the Holy Spirit. I pray that as many as are thirsty for the baptism of the Holy Spirit shall be satisfied with it today, in Jesus name.Going by the gift which the Holy Spirit offers us in the text of today, we can see the reason every missionary and soulwinner must be possessed by the Holy Spirit. For example, the word of wisdom is necessary for effective evangelism. A preacher without the Holy Spirit is a mere orator. A missionary needs the gifts of prophecy and discerning of spirits as a weapon against the deceit of the devil. Of course, without speaking and praying in tongues, a missionarys prayer life would be in shambles. I pray that every soulwinner using this devotional today will be adequately equipped by the Holy Spirit for exploits, in Jesus name.
ACTION POINT: God is willing to baptise you with the Holy Spirit. Ensure you rid yourself of all impurities that may hinder Him from coming into your life today.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Luke 21:1-38 , Luke 22:1-71
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Holy Spirit: Engine Room for Missions – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 17 September 2021
