Did YOU?

“And it came about that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found some disciples, and he said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’  And they said to him, ‘No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’  And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptised?’  And they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’  And Paul said, ‘John baptised with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, Jesus.’  And when they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:1-5

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba!  Father!’  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, as if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:15-17

“Do not look for a subtle meaning in the question [Did you receive the Holy Spirit?], it was a very straightforward one.  He [Paul] was asking, ‘Are you Christians?  Had he asked them in that form, they might well have answered positively on the basis of a poor understanding of what it means to be a Christian.  But the question he did ask could not be so easily evaded.  He did not ask them a doctrinal question, but a question about their personal experience.  Was there any evidence that the Holy Spirit had come to live within them?  He expected them to KNOW on the basis of their experience. 

I could not resist duplicating those amazing two Scriptural passages.  Christ is our PERSONAL Saviour.  When we give our life to Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts there ARE changes...ones that may seem insignificant at first, but there are changes. 

The day after I had the privilege of leading Hans to the Lord, and with no prompting on my part, he shared two delightful things with me that demonstrated this very difference.  (You see he had BEEN a “Christian”, as many people will tell you they are.)  What was different now was the validity of his commitment to Christ!  One had to do with a New Age talisman he had worn for years and the other was with “changes in the vibrancy” he found in the way the Bible “spoke with him.”

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS:  ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  Please send updates!  For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action! 

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Daniel Craver (3-4 yrs old), in hospital and diagnosed with stage 1 or 2 liver failure.  Liver biopsy showed severe liver damage, but they found some good cells & are giving him steroids to regenerate them!  Cucuawe’s daughter was buried last week after months of waiting...please pray for him and his family during this time.  Hans-Georg continues his new life as a very hungry baby Christian!  Please pray for him, and if you know any Christians near Essen Germany, please contact me as soon as possible.  He needs fellowship.  Pray for those in the USA who are coping with this awful massacre in Aurora Colorado and pray for the young man who committed the crime.  Pray for wisdom of my brother as he deals with an important matter.

Who knows what the Lord is working out in my life right now!  I thank God for two Lindas though.  I’m also working on a third Amazon Kindle (on Forgiveness) and hope they bring joy to all who find and read them.

Barbara’s (sister-in-law) and Hans’ (friend) projects have both ended and they need new work.  (Hans especially needs paying work – he’s been volunteering to fill the time.)

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  An angel has found Adrian and he’s just been moved into a new home.  Thank you so much for praying for him.  That the Lord loves and comforts us through challenges we could not face without Him.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Pray for Deborah’s husband.  Paul NS.  Adrian’s pain meds still not working well.  Tim (my little brother), needs financial help, especially with no health insurance.  Pray he secures a disability pension.   For Michael C, with his own health concerns & for his wife, Diane, as his mother is fading away with Alzheimer’s and ill health.  David still needs prayer for his health, but is doing better.  Steve Barns for relief from great pain and depression. 

For a solution for Audley and Beverly (she’s disabled from a stroke and needs a carer during the day so Audley can go out and work).  Tim B with headaches, that his doctor will OK a new procedure for relief.  For Carlton suffering from horrible infections in his bones. 

Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/ )  Wisdom for doctors caring for so many, including Tim, Doris, David, Gary and Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes!  Galdor recovering from the loss of his mother and his quest for a new job.  For Yourri who lost a friend.  Please pray for Deepak as he struggles through some challenges.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways.  An unspoken request for help from mounting fear and financial failure.

For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Adam who is becoming involved with a cult that’s filling many unmet needs.  Scott, for strength as he struggles and grows ( and for Donna as she encourages him).  For David K, in his studies.  Isaias (health, strength and family safety as he continues his mission work in Philippines); for Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations suffering from global financial mis-management.

ONGOING JOB RELATED: That Tim and Blacky might find satisfying work.  Paul K who resigned from his job and is setting up a consultancy.

*Christ For Real by Charles Price