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August 1 Arrows of the Almighty An Inner Special “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4)
Recently one of the letters on the marquee outside a local restaurant had blown off. What resulted was quite an offer. With the “D” missing, the sign read, “Complete Inner Specials: $6.95.” The blessing of Pentecost is certainly an "Inner Special." The Lord’s Passion made it possible for a new generation of new creatures to be born among humanity.
We celebrate Christmas and Easter; yet the joy and new life of Pentecost is the culmination of the incarnation! The outward signs of this inner special were what made it so immediately obvious to those who witnessed the outpouring. The Wind speaks of the Breath and Spirit of God, the tongues of fire speak of inward cleansing which continues through the rest of the believer's life and the spoken tongues of personal prayer and public ministry edify the believer and the faith of the hearers. We can confidently trust our spiritual life to the Lord for “He is able to keep what I have committed to Him … that good thing which was committed to you keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (2Tim. 1:12, 14) Jude after saying “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (v21) adds the doxology, “To Him who is able to keep you … be glory.” (vs24-25)
This blessing of the Presence of Holy Spirit is sustained by humble dependence upon the Lord who keeps us and upon this Presence now within us who holds us in close fellowship with our Father God. Why do the book of Acts and the 12-14 chapters of Second Corinthians put such emphasis on tongues? Because this is the one gift given specifically for the edification of the believer himself. All the others are for outward reach and expressions of love.
Don’t miss Pentecost! We all need more each day of this Inner Special designed to draw us ever closer to Him by living life as Christ lived it. Faithful is He who is living through you to the full extent to which you allow it.
“Immerse me Lord into the Holy Spirit of God through Christ Jesus I pray with all the fresh manifestations the scripture says you want me to have. Amen.”
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