The Spirit’s work at Advent:
Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother: “...filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed...blessed...blessed’” (Luke 1:41,42,45).
Zecharias, John the Baptist’s father: “...filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: ‘Blessed’” (Luke 1:67,68).
Simeon: “...the Holy Spirit was upon him...he...blessed God...and Simeon blessed [Mary and Joseph]” (Luke 2:25,28,34).
The Spirit’s work at Pentecost:
“I will pour forth of My Spirit on...My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17,18).
May I suggest, Church, that the Spirit Who blessed through the saints at Advent and the Spirit poured out on all saints since Pentecost is the same? May I also suggest that same Spirit in us today seeks to bless, bless, bless others through our words just as He did at Advent? Bless today by prophesying the truth and glorious reality of salvation, of our adoption as sons and daughters of God in Christ, of the radiant and unmatched beauty of Christ’s Bride, of all the priceless gems found in our covenant with God in Christ...bless, Holy Spirit, through us today as You did 2,000 years ago!
* * * * * * *
Let me elaborate on the Spirit's filling of Elizabeth, the result, and the parallel in Paul's command to us as believers:
"...Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, 'Blessed...blessed...blessed...'
And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.'" (Luke 1:41-47).
The Spirit fills, Elizabeth blesses Mary, and Mary praises God from the core of her being. This is what we see in Ephesians 5:18-20!
"...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father..."
The Spirit fills, we speak to one another, and we respond to one another with rejoicing in God from the core of our being.
What the Spirit did at Advent, He does today in the Church. Let us not only remember Advent, but live it in the power of the Spirit today.
Monday, December 5, 2011
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