As believers, one of the greatest things that can happen to us is being born again. The next to that is being baptized with the Holy Ghost. Now, don’t go with the popular notion you might have had about Holy Ghost baptism. Patiently follow these teachings with an open heart to learn, re-learn and possibly un-learn some things you might have known about the Holy Ghost and baptism.
The believer who is baptized in the Holy Ghost is operating under a blessing. Unfortunately, many don’t know.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
The moment you are baptized, a new power comes upon you, according to the scripture above. This power has the ability to transform you into another man. Your life before the baptism should be different from your life after the baptism.
I must state that this baptism is not only for adults. As a matter of fact, it is good when you are baptized in the Holy Ghost from a very tender age like yours.
One of the advantages you have over others when you become baptized in the Holy Ghost is that you communicate with God in another dimension. You no longer speak with Him in this realm. When you do this, the devil cannot hear or understand what you are saying.
That looks like what a superman can do. Well, you are a superman.
I will continue some other time on the other advantages you derive from this wonderful relationship.
Talk to your parents, teachers, or guardian to get you filled with the Holy Ghost today. You sure will enjoy the experience.
“What do you want?” is probably the most important question you must ask yourself as a person.
Everyone should have something they want. Even animals have needs. Plants have needs as well. God, our father, has needs too. He needs us to believe, trust, and obey Him amongst other things.
The blind man in (Luke 18:38) called out to Jesus “… Jesus, Son of David! Please help me!”
Note the exclamation marks at the end of his words. Even when people told him to keep quiet, he didn’t listen to them. He still raised his voice, crying out to Jesus for help (vs 39). And he got what he wanted the most because Jesus heard him and stopped.
Jesus stopped and said, “Bring the blind man to me!” when he came near, Jesus asked him, what do you want me to do for you?” He said, Lord, I want to see again.” Jesus said to him, “Then see! You are healed because you believed.” – Luke 18: 40-42 ICB
The man got what he wanted because he knew what he wanted. When you know what you want, you can have it.
Imagine if Jesus asked the man what he wanted, and the man had nothing he wanted. That would have been a waste?
Know what you want and pray about it. Jesus hears you and will stop to ask you what you want.
God bless you.
Prayer point: Lord, Jesus, thank you for hearing me and stopping to ask me what I want. As I tell them all to you, I receive the answers to my prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action point: It pays to have a list of what you want and pray along with them.
Declaration: I will be specific with my requests. I will have what I ask for. God will honor me.
We are still talking and learning wisdom from the life and times of King Solomon. The truth of the matter is that we can never know it all.
Why do we keep on talking about wisdom? We do this because we learn everyday.
See another thing Solomon has to say about wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.” –Proverbs 9:10-12 (NIV)
Children, I want you to know that God abhors mockers. Mocking is a serious sin before God. Do you know that God destroyed some Israelites because of mockery?
Furthermore, Solomon’s father, King David, warned us about mockery. He told us no mocker will be blessed.
a BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. – Ps 1:1[AMP]
This tells us there are places you should not find yourself as a believer. There are gathering of mockers you are not meant to be found in. There are certain locations that should not be traceable to you.
I believe you want to be blessed even as you advance in age, then never give room to mockery. The resultant effect is that you will suffer alone.
May that no be your portion in Jesus name, amen.
PRAYER: Lord, help me not to be a mocker in Jesus name.
ACTION PLAN: List out associations you should do without.
Still on our series to discovering wisdom this morning, we will yet consider one more thing to note about wisdom.
Our anchor scripture remains;
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. – Proverbs 8:14-18 (KJV)
8. Wisdom loves those who seek it.
One more thing about wisdom is that it loves those who seek it. If you are wisdom seeker, wisdom will love you.
If you go all out seeking for wisdom, you will find it.
There will always be a difference between someone who starts preparing for an examination from the beginning of the term, and someone who starts preparing for the same examination a day before the examination.
To get wisdom, you have to be intentional and deliberate about it.
A wise person is loved because he always something beneficial to give.
So here is the conclusion; if for any reason, you feel unloved by your parents, guardians, siblings, teachers, environment or whatever, go for wisdom.
Invest in your mind. Develop yourself. Focus on being a better you. I can assure you the narrative will change I er time.
Do you know you can be specific in the place of prayers? Yes, you can. Let’s take a look at the story of Ade. Ade mentioned his prayers to his mum as they drove home from school.
‘God should help me in my coming school examinations,’ Ade said.
‘That’s an empty prayer request,’ she said. ‘Be specific about what grades you want in each subject’
Ade wondered why he should. God said His plans for us are good. God should know what grades to give him.
‘It is good to be specific in your prayer requests to God,’ she said further.
Mum is right. Imagine if the blind man in yesterday’s story (Luke 18:40-41) asked for blessings?
The question is, what exact blessing did he need right then? What was the most important thing he needed? To see. And how did Jesus reply? Jesus said, “Jesus said to him, Then see! You are healed because you believed.”
Being specific aids your expectations regarding your wants. You have a view of the expected results in your mind and expect nothing less.
So, stop saying vague prayers and tell God exactly what you want. The blind man got what he wanted.
At once the man was able to see,… – Luke 18:43 (ICB)