Welcome Him

In 1980, during a prayer meeting, I told the small group of believers how I longed to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Without hesitation, they began to pray for me. At first, a very sweet, gentle presence started to wave over me; next, I was filled with great power and such tremendous joy that I literally picked up a sister in my arms and swung her around — both of us laughing with joy, and a touch of embarrassment: I'm 4 feet 11 inches in shoes. But I felt so power-filled and overwhelmingly overjoyed. The rest of the meeting was pure celebration and worship. Wonderful! For me, the singing, worship, Bible reading, and celebrating went on intensely for many days — a gloriously memorable time to mark this stage and future of my renewed Christian walk.

Acts 1:8 – But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. (AMP)

We also see in many other Scriptures how the Spirit came upon certain people used in special tasks according to God's purpose at the time.

Before battle took place, "the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet". (Judges 6:34 NIV)

When a young lion roared against Samson, "the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands". (Judges 14:6a NIV)

When the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul in power, he prophesied and was "changed into a different person". (1 Samuel 10:6,10 NIV)

Micah, in order to deal with Israel's sins, knew he was "filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord". (Micah 3:8 NIV)

The reality of the work of the Holy Spirit pervades the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Therefore, may we in truth acknowledge and welcome our Father God pouring out His Holy Spirit upon us.

Acts 2:17a – In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. (NIV)

Let us always receive Him, welcome Him, and let Him flow through us to edify, exhort, and comfort the body, His Church, to guard, guide, steer, and lead us into God's fullness of purpose and fruitfulness in all aspects of our God-given lives and ministries.

Prayer: Thank You, thank You, our Father God, for Your eternal plan to equip us with every possible advantage to love and serve You and Your people, and to lead those who don't know You into Your kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. Thank You, also, our precious Holy Spirit, for all the personal benefits of welcoming You to abide within us. Amen and Amen!