Tarry in Jerusalem

by May 11, 2018Missions

In the book of Acts, the disciples were instructed to tarry in Jerusalem until they were indued with power from on high. Acts 1:4  says, Jesus instructed them. “Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the gift I told you about, the gift the Father has promised. For John baptized you in water, but in a few days from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.” I used to read this and not know what it was talking about. Then one day I read a book which was in our library at the church that we were attending. It was called “Nine O’clock in the Morning” and it was about receiving something called “The baptism in the Holy Spirit.” I thought “where have I been that I have not heard about this before?” I was so hungry for more of God or at least for a big change in my life.

This was a long tarry for me. I was 35 years old when I heard the “good news” that there was much more to be had in this life called “Christianity.” So, I started a quest that led me to the “baptism” that changed my life forever.  Instead of being satisfied with regular prayers and with regular church, I wanted more, much more. All of a sudden I believed and trusted like I had never believed before. I knew that I had the power to heal, the power to make witnesses and see people come to the Lord. I knew that God’s word was true and I totally fell in love with Jesus. I also had a new language that was a marvel to me. I thought “God, you gave me your language to speak”! People really noticed that I was different. It all started when I realized that I had skipped over that verse where it says to “tarry” because I did not know what it meant.

So, I know that it is not enough to bring people to Jesus. We must also equip them with the power to live a victorious life. To me, it begins with letting the Holy Spirit rule our lives. To be baptized in the Holy Spirit is just the beginning. There is so much to develop just in the receiving of this precious gift that Jesus gave to us. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said “All authority of the universe has been given to me. Now wherever you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

This is one command that Jesus gave to us in the book of Mark 16:17-18. He says, “these miracle signs will accompany those who believe. They will drive out demons in the power of my name. They will speak in tongues. They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and they will be healed.” He also said in another place that we would raise the dead, open blind eyes and open deaf ears and the lame will walk!

These commands include everything that Jesus did and said. The early church walked in all of these miracles as we do today on a limited basis. I want to submit that we need to take off the limits. We have the command of Jesus to do these things.

Jesus said in John 14:12 “I tell you this timeless truth; The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do – even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father.”

We say we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. I remember Jackie Pullinger, a missionary to China in one of the worst parts of China said “You say you are filled with the Holy Ghost. That means that you have the power and you have the ability to be witnesses. What are you doing with it?” I too say what are we doing with the wonderful tools that Jesus gave to us? Do you lack the faith, the funds, the passion, the health, or the desire to do these things? Let’s all seek for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Ghost in our lives! We are the keepers of the flocks of God.

Not by might nor by my power but by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Zach) I speak to you and I speak to myself to go forth with fresh fire and fresh anointing!  Yesterday’s anointing will not work. We must have the anointing that today brings. Yesterday’s oil is gone. Come and receive the fresh oil to light your lamp today. And our response is “we hear you Lord, and we will obey.”

Love and Blessings, Joyce Euren
Published on 5/11/18

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