Tag: Holy Spirit

Prophesying Daughters: What They Teach Us About Ministry

The brief mention of Philip’s four unmarried, prophesying daughters in Acts 21:9 might seem insignificant at first glance. Yet, every detail in Scripture has a purpose, and this passage is no exception. Luke includes it not as a throwaway comment but as a window into the life of the early Church and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.

First, this verse highlights the continuation of prophecy as a key feature of the Spirit-filled community. Just as Joel’s prophecy declared that both sons and daughters would prophesy (Acts 2:17), here we see that reality embodied. The inclusion of Philip’s daughters demonstrates that God’s gifts are not restricted by gender, affirming the value and active participation of women in ministry. This is a reminder that God equips all His children to build up the Church.

Second, Philip’s daughters serve as a testament to the fruit of a godly legacy. Philip, known as an evangelist, not only carried the Gospel to unreached places but evidently nurtured a household where faith flourished. The mention of his daughters suggests that his influence as a father and leader extended to his family, raising them in the knowledge of God and empowering them to step into their spiritual giftings.

Their unmarried status may carry cultural weight, suggesting they lived lives wholly devoted to ministry. In a time when marriage was often viewed as a primary role for women, these daughters stand out as examples of how devotion to God transcends societal norms and expectations. Their lives challenge us to consider how we prioritize God’s calling over the pressures or traditions of the world around us.

Finally, this brief note creates a narrative thread within the story of Paul’s journey. The reference to prophecy in Philip’s home sets the stage for the prophecy of Agabus in the following verses, which foretells Paul’s imprisonment. It underscores the atmosphere of divine communication and reliance on God’s guidance within the early Church.

Far from a random detail, this verse encourages us to reflect on our own faith. Are we nurturing spiritual growth in those around us? Do we celebrate the gifts God has given to all believers, regardless of status or role? And are we open to living counter-culturally when God calls us to a unique path?

Even the smallest verses have the power to speak profoundly. When we pause to consider their purpose, we often discover layers of encouragement and challenge that deepen our walk with Christ.

The Power of the Ask

In Acts 8, we encounter the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, a passage that highlights the remarkable power of asking questions. Here, Philip receives a prompting from the Holy Spirit to go to a specific road where he encounters an Ethiopian official reading aloud from Isaiah. Rather than diving straight into a sermon or explanation, Philip begins with a simple question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30). This question opens the door to a life-changing conversation, as the eunuch’s curiosity and Philip’s obedience intersect at just the right moment.

Philip’s willingness to ask a straightforward question gives the eunuch an opportunity to express his need: “How can I [understand], unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31). From there, Philip shares the Gospel, leading the eunuch to faith in Jesus and immediate baptism. This story reminds us that sometimes the most profound ministry happens not through grand speeches, but through simple, Spirit-led questions that show a genuine interest in the other person.

In our own lives, we often underestimate the value of a question. A gentle, open-ended inquiry can open doors we didn’t even know were there. Philip’s example teaches us to be observant and sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting, looking for moments to engage with those around us. We don’t need to have every answer or a well-rehearsed speech; sometimes, a single question—one that shows care and sparks curiosity—is all that’s needed to start a transformative conversation.

Wherever we find ourselves, whether it’s in a coffee shop, workplace, or even on a casual walk, we are not there by accident. God places us in specific situations and brings us into contact with certain people for a reason. Like Philip, we’re called to be obedient to His leading, staying open to opportunities to ask the right questions. As we ask, listen, and respond, God can work through us in powerful ways to share His love and truth.

If We Want to SEE Jesus, We Need to NEED Jesus

The account of Stephen in Acts 7 stands as one of the most powerful examples of faith under fire. Known for his wisdom and filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin on false charges. As he boldly shares the truth, he faces increasing hostility, yet instead of shrinking back, he experiences something extraordinary. Scripture tells us that “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Even in the face of death, Stephen’s unwavering focus on Jesus fills him with a peace that goes beyond understanding.

What happens next is equally incredible. While the crowd stones him, Stephen echoes Jesus’ own words on the cross: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). It is a remarkable picture of forgiveness and love toward those who were killing him. This ability to forgive so profoundly did not come from a position of self-sufficiency or inner strength but rather from a deep, desperate dependence on Christ. In Stephen’s darkest hour, his need for Jesus led him to an encounter with Jesus, even allowing him to reflect Christ’s love in his final breaths.

Stephen’s story teaches us that when we truly recognize our need for Jesus, we open ourselves to see Him at work in ways that transform us. If we want to experience the peace that passes understanding, the courage that stands firm, and the love that forgives even the deepest wrongs, we must admit our need. Our need creates space for God to fill us with His strength, His peace, and His love. Just as Jesus appeared to Stephen in that moment, He draws near to those who call on Him with a humble heart.

If we want to see Jesus, we must need Him—our deep dependence on Him is not a sign of weakness but the pathway to true strength and peace. Just like Stephen, our need for Jesus can enable us to love and forgive even when it seems impossible, reflecting the One who forgave us.

Not All the Answers

At the beginning of Acts, Jesus’ disciples ask Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). In their minds, this was the right question. After all, they had walked with Jesus through His ministry, His death, and His resurrection, and the natural next step seemed to be the re-establishment of God’s kingdom. But Jesus, instead of providing a direct answer, redirects their focus. “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority,” He replies, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:7-8).

The disciples’ question highlights our common desire for clarity and control. Like them, we often want answers about God’s timeline or specifics of His plan. But Jesus reminds us that some things simply aren’t for us to know. Instead of giving a detailed roadmap, He offers us something better: the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment.

In our own lives, the Holy Spirit continues to guide us through uncertainties. God knows that we, like the disciples, will not always have all the answers, and He encourages us to lean into His presence rather than our understanding. The Spirit’s role is not just to give us information but to transform us into people of faith and trust. As we surrender our need for control, we can grow in faith that God, who holds all knowledge and power, is directing our path.

God asks us to trust Him even when we don’t have all the answers. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Our focus is not meant to be on securing every answer, but on becoming more responsive to the Spirit, following Him as He leads us forward with wisdom, patience, and courage.

What is the Unforgivable Sin?

When Jesus warned about the unforgivable sin, it raised a question that has troubled many believers: What exactly is this sin that cannot be forgiven? As we look deeper into His words from Mark 3:28-30 and Matthew 12:31-32, we see that He refers to “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” as something from which there is no return.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not a fleeting thought, a moment of doubt, or even a single bad decision. It’s a deliberate, hardened rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus. In the specific context of Mark 3, Jesus is responding to the Pharisees who accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. Essentially, they are witnessing the power of God right in front of them and, instead of accepting it, they attribute it to the devil.

This sin is so serious because it reflects a heart that is completely closed off to God’s work, refusing to recognize His grace and power. When we reject the very Spirit who brings conviction, repentance, and forgiveness, we cut ourselves off from the possibility of being forgiven. The Spirit’s work is to point to Jesus, to testify of His salvation, and when that testimony is consistently, willfully rejected, we are left with no other means of reconciliation with God.

But what does this mean for us today? It’s important to understand that this sin is not about a specific word or action in a moment of weakness. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is about a continual, unrepentant stance against God. It’s choosing to remain in opposition to Him, attributing His good work to evil, and closing your heart to His grace.

The thought of an unforgivable sin can be unsettling, but if you are concerned that you’ve committed it, that very concern shows you have not. A heart hardened to the Holy Spirit wouldn’t be troubled by such thoughts. The unforgivable sin is a conscious, final rejection of God’s truth, where the heart becomes so resistant that repentance no longer seems possible.

Consider this: the Bible says that “the words you speak will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:37). What are the words of a repentant heart? Confession and humility. What are the words of a hardened heart? Denial and rejection. The unforgivable sin is to stand against the work of the Spirit in such a way that, instead of confessing Christ, we attribute His power to evil.

The good news is that for those who turn to God, no sin is beyond His reach. For all the fear that this warning might stir, Jesus extends forgiveness to anyone willing to repent. He is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and ready to forgive those who seek Him. The unforgivable sin isn’t something that sneaks up on us — it’s a deliberate, hardened choice to turn away from God, even when His truth is made plain.

What Does It Mean to Worship “In the Spirit”?

In John 4, Jesus has an unexpected conversation with a Samaritan woman. As they talk, the topic of worship comes up. The woman points out that Jews worship in Jerusalem, while her people, the Samaritans, worship on Mount Gerizim. She’s focused on the location — the outward, physical expression of worship. But Jesus turns her understanding upside down when He says, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

At that time, worship was deeply tied to physical places and rituals. For the Jews, worship meant making sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. For the Samaritans, it was about their sacred site on Mount Gerizim. Worship involved tangible, fleshly acts like offering animals, burning incense, and performing rituals. It was all very external, based on visible actions that could be seen and measured.

But Jesus reveals something revolutionary: true worship isn’t about the right location or the right ritual. Worship is about connecting with God on a deeper, spiritual level — “in spirit.” God is not confined to one place or bound by physical forms. He is spirit, and so our worship must be spiritual too.

What does it mean to worship in spirit?

Worshipping in spirit means engaging with God beyond external acts. It’s not about just attending a service, singing songs, or going through the motions. It’s about our hearts being fully involved — a connection that goes beyond what we do and reaches into who we are. It’s a worship that is alive, personal, and sincere.

Reflect for a moment: How often do we let worship become a routine? Do we sometimes show up physically but forget to show up spiritually? Worshipping in spirit challenges us to move past the surface. It calls us to dig deeper, to approach God with genuine reverence and openness.

This doesn’t mean we abandon the outward expressions of worship. Attending church, singing, and praying together are all important. But the key is what’s happening inside. When we worship, are we really connecting with God? Are we letting the Holy Spirit guide our hearts and minds, or are we just checking off a box?

What about worship in truth?

Jesus adds that we must worship in truth. This means that our worship is based on a real understanding of who God is. It’s rooted in the truth of Scripture and the reality of God’s character. Worship in spirit without truth can become emotionalism — a vague sense of connection without a firm foundation. But worship in truth without spirit can become dry and mechanical, just going through the motions without real engagement.

Think about your own worship: Do you feel deeply connected to God, and is that connection grounded in the truth of His Word?

Why does this matter today?

In our modern world, it’s easy to let worship become just another part of our schedule. We attend church, sing the songs, say the prayers, but it’s possible to go through the motions without engaging our spirit. Jesus calls us to something more — to a worship that’s alive, personal, and real.

God desires our hearts, not just our attendance. He wants us to connect with Him in a way that transforms us from the inside out. Worshipping in spirit and in truth allows us to move beyond ritual and enter into a real relationship with the living God. It’s not about getting everything right on the outside; it’s about letting God work deeply on the inside.

Next time you’re in a moment of worship — whether it’s at church, at home, or anywhere in between — pause and ask yourself: Am I worshipping in spirit and in truth? Am I fully engaged with God? Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my heart and mind, while grounding my worship in the truth of who God is?

Empowered to Speak: The Holy Spirit’s Work in Us

As we read through Luke 1:39-2:40 and Matthew 1:18-25, one pattern stands out: when the Holy Spirit filled people, they spoke prophetic words. Elizabeth, Zechariah, Simeon—all of them, when filled with the Spirit, declared truths about God’s promises and the Messiah. Even the angel’s words to Joseph can be seen as a Spirit-inspired message, guiding him to protect and nurture Jesus.

This pattern shows that when the Holy Spirit moves, He empowers His people to proclaim God’s truth boldly. What lessons can we draw from this today?

1. The Holy Spirit Still Moves

First, it’s clear that the Holy Spirit is active. Just as He filled these people at critical moments in salvation history, He continues to fill and empower believers today. We are called to recognize and welcome His presence in our lives. The Spirit is not just a distant force; He is personal and present, ready to guide, strengthen, and inspire us in our walk with Christ.

2. Prophetic Words are Spirit-Led

When the Spirit filled Elizabeth, Zechariah, and Simeon, they spoke truths about God’s promises. These were not random thoughts but divinely inspired words of prophecy. Today, while the specifics of prophecy may differ, the principle remains: the Holy Spirit empowers us to speak truth, often in ways that bring encouragement, correction, or guidance.

This doesn’t mean we all have the “gift of prophecy” in the same way, but it does mean that God’s Spirit can move through us to share His message with others, whether in words of wisdom, comfort, or exhortation.

3. Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness

Another lesson from these passages is how often the prophetic words pointed to God’s faithfulness to His promises. Simeon, for example, praised God for allowing him to see the fulfillment of the promise he had waited for: the Messiah. When the Spirit fills us today, He often leads us to declare God’s faithfulness, reminding ourselves and others that God’s promises still hold true.

Sometimes we face seasons where it’s hard to believe in God’s promises. Yet, just as Simeon waited with expectation, we can trust that God’s Spirit will sustain us in hope and prompt us to speak words of life when the time is right.

4. We Are Empowered to Speak Boldly

Elizabeth’s response when Mary came to visit was immediate and bold. She didn’t hold back; she declared Mary blessed among women and praised God for the child she carried. The Holy Spirit gives us courage to speak out in truth and love. Sometimes we hesitate to speak up, whether due to fear of rejection or doubt, but the Spirit empowers us to share what needs to be said, especially when it comes to pointing people to Jesus.

5. The Spirit’s Work is Always Christ-Centered

In each instance of prophecy in these passages, the message pointed to Jesus. The Holy Spirit’s primary mission is to reveal and glorify Christ (John 16:14), and this is true for us today. When we are filled with the Spirit, we should expect that our words and actions will reflect Jesus and His Kingdom. Whether in a conversation, a moment of prayer, or even through our lifestyle, the Spirit will move us to point others to Christ.

The Takeaway

What we see in Luke 1 and Matthew 1 is the Holy Spirit filling people not just for their benefit but for the sake of proclaiming God’s truth. Today, the same Spirit that moved in the lives of Elizabeth, Zechariah, and Simeon is available to us, empowering us to speak boldly, proclaim God’s faithfulness, and point others to Jesus.

As we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, we should be ready to speak words of encouragement, truth, and hope to those around us. May we be open to His leading, and like these figures in the Gospels, may we have the courage to declare God’s greatness in every opportunity we are given.

The Cosmic Deadline

In the book of Joel, we are given a prophetic glimpse of the final days—a time when the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all people, and the clock will start ticking toward the ultimate “Day of the Lord.” We’ve already seen part of this prophecy fulfilled at Pentecost in Acts 2, when the Spirit of God empowered His people for the work of the Gospel. But Joel’s prophecy also speaks of cosmic signs and an impending day of judgment that has yet to come. The sun will go dark, the moon will turn to blood, and the heavens will shake. These aren’t just apocalyptic images—they are a reminder that God’s timeline is moving forward, and the window for repentance, faith, and action is shrinking.

This cosmic deadline should stir us from complacency. The same Spirit that was poured out at Pentecost still empowers us today for the work God has called us to. We’re not meant to be idle as the clock ticks down. We’re meant to be a people on mission, using every moment to live for Christ, to share the Gospel, and to shine light in a world that’s growing darker. The day of reckoning will come, but until then, we have a job to do.

The Spirit wasn’t given to us just to make us feel better or give us supernatural gifts for personal gain. He was poured out to equip us for the last days—to reach the lost, to live boldly for Christ, and to advance the Kingdom before time runs out. The cosmic signs Joel describes aren’t just about judgment; they’re a wake-up call to urgency. We’re living in the final act of God’s redemptive plan, and we’ve been handed the tools and the Spirit to make an eternal impact.

So, what are we doing with our time? Are we living as if the deadline is real? Are we using the power of the Spirit to fulfill the mission Jesus gave us—to make disciples, to love radically, to stand firm in the truth?

The clock is ticking, and the cosmic deadline approaches. Now is the time to let the Spirit move through us, to work without distraction, and to embrace the urgency of the Gospel. Let’s not wait for the sun to darken or the moon to turn to blood before we take action. The time is now. The Holy Spirit is with us. Let’s press forward and finish the work we’ve been called to do!

The Moving of the Spirit

Just before the flood would begin to recede we see a wind (the Hebrew word ‘ruah’) move across the earth. This is the same word for the Spirit of God we see moving across the formless, nascent earth in Genesis 1:2. This also remind us of God breathing life into Adam in Genesis 2:7.

We see the Spirit of God moving in these creative, world-altering events.

And all of this points toward the events of Pentecost in Acts 2:2 when the sound like a rushing wind came and filled the believers with the Spirit of God in a way that had not previously even experienced. Those men and women — empowered by God — changed the world. Forever.

Friends, submit your lives to the work and will of the Spirit of God. Where the Spirit of the Lord is moving, BIG things are happening!

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