“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16.7)

“The Christian church was born through the power of the Spirit. As we read…the book of Acts and the epistles of the New Testament, we see a picture of the early church the way God intended it to be. ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer’ (2:42). Here was a community of believers who freely loved the Word of God and were devoted to the apostles’ teaching…

“They shared with one another the deep love the Spirit had put in their hearts. They also became bold witnesses for Christ, filled with wisdom beyond their training. Their hearts were full of the Holy Spirit, and they experienced surprises as God did things that no one could anticipate. Not only had the Holy Spirit been sent to earth, but he was also moving. He acted in and through his people-he demonstrated his power to glorify Christ. The early church experienced him moving in their hearts and in their lives…

“Is the Holy Spirit moving like that in our lives? And in our churches? Many people find it easy to relate to God the Father and Jesus the Son, but when it comes to the role of the Spirit in their lives, they don’t have a clear picture of who he is or what he does. Do you ever feel that way? What about your life and your church?” (J. Cymbala, Spirit Rising, Kindle Locations 307-311)

“Hands to the Heavens” by Kari Jobe - Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-am7iYzCfdE

- JP