Main Scripture for our Study:
Acts 1:6-7 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Today's Thought:
Not only is the Holy Spirit a powerful presence, but He is also accomplishing a powerful program which many call the Kingdom of God. We know the kingdom was on the disciples' minds when they met with Jesus before His ascension. But their minds weren't on the kingdom. (stay with me here) But their minds weren't on the kingdom. That is, they were interested in the kingdom coming their way, not Jesus' way. So He had to inform them that this was not what the Holy Spirit was all about.
One of the major problems we are facing today is the abuses and excesses coming from various groups regarding the Holy Spirit. They make the Spirit an end in Himself. But the Spirit is not an end in Himself. He did not come just so you could know the Holy Spirit. He wants to empower you to accomplish a great program, God's kingdom.
So if you are one of those Christians who goes around Spirit-hunting, you need to know that He does not display His power just to show off. God has a specific program in mind that He uses the Spirit's power to accomplish.
The kingdom of God is not first and foremost a place, although that will be true someday. the earth belongs to the Lord, although His Son is not yet sitting on His throne. it will happen. On that day it will be evident to Satan and all of God's enemies that it was foolish to resist his kingdom.
But the primary concept of the kingdom is God's rule. When you become part of God's kingdom, you come under His rule. That's what the Holy Spirit wants to do in your life, bring you under the kingdom rule of God. So if you want to see Holy Spirit power, make sure you are involved in His work for His Kingdom.
See, if you are asking the Holy Spirit to bless your kingdom, that is not what God is doing. If all you want is another miracle so you can feel better or have more money, that is not kingdom work. That's the problem with so-called prosperity theology, promoted by the TV preachers of our times. It is not about the kingdom. God is after His kingdom, not after making you and me rich. Whose kingdom are you building today?
Think About This:
"If what you are doing is not building God's kingdom,
The Holy Spirit is not interested in empowering you."
