Every Day Faith - May 2020
Jesus knew that His followers would need help when He told them that upon His departure, He would send a Helper. Like many Christians today, they may have been puzzled by that statement. Who will help us?
Jesus, of course was referring to the Holy Spirit. Our Helper.
Our Christian life dips back and forth between the darkness of this world and the bright promise of God’s kingdom. The Holy Spirit is our Helper who provides access to God’s eternal power, presence, knowledge and unchanging nature.
For the first-century disciples, this promised Helper remained somewhat of a mystery. Their anticipation of Jesus’ promised gift would require a period of unified waiting. A time of prayer and patience. We know this because the scriptures inform us that when the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). It was then that they saw what appeared to be tongues of fire that separated and then came to rest on each of them. It was at that moment that they met the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
On May 31st we celebrate that event on Pentecost Sunday. As a global Pentecostal family, we can be reminded of how we came this far and anticipate and engage with fresh ways the Spirit is working in our world (The Calgary Call), especially in this challenging new season. We have an opportunity to revisit the idea of living “naturally supernatural,” inviting the fullness of the Spirit into our lives again and inviting others to do the same.
When we are feeling overwhelmed, a simple whisper for help brings the Helper. Let this be your portion in these trying days!
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THE CALGARY CALL:
WE CALL THE GLOBAL PENTECOSTAL FAMILY TO experience the fullness of the Spirit. We must be Pentecostal in both theology and practice, living in ways that are naturally supernatural. Therefore, we call church leaders to model Spirit-filled living and equip believers to experience His power and presence.
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Dear Father, we are so grateful for Your abiding presence and longing to help us in every detail of our lives. We find great comfort in the knowledge that You wish to guide us as we travel through the uncertainty of these times. When everything is in upheaval and unstable voices call out to us from near and far, we thank You for the confidence that comes from knowing that in You is grand stability, calm, assurance and help. Please help us not only to remember this, but to reflect that reality to a world that is in grave danger and needs to know You. Amen.
John 14:16-17a—“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the spirit of truth....”
Hebrews 13:6—“So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Mark 1:8—“I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 12:12—“…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
John 20:22—“And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:17—“Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
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EMPOWERED21 – FOCUS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT IN MISSION
Empowered21 released a series of videos that can remind us—at any age—of our calling as people of the Spirit to be bold in our witness for Christ, not just in our churches but wherever He has already placed us. To see the list of videos, click here.
Consider signing up for the Empowered21 Global Congress Online, May 31 to June 6, 2020. Register here: https://empowered21.com.
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RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN YOUR LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
Available for order today through Wordcom Christian Resources: email wordcom@paoc.org or call (905) 542-7400 ex. 4248 or click here.
How can the Holy Spirit be fully experienced—and what does it mean to be charismatic? Do you want to experience the Holy Spirit more but are afraid of what that truly means? In Simply Spirit-Filled, Canadian theologian Andrew Gabriel says if you want to experience all the Holy Spirit has to offer, you must become more aware of the ways the Spirit is already quietly at work in and around you. By blending theology, practical steps, and a touch of humour, this book brings clarity to praying in tongues, spiritual gifts, dreams and visions, and miracles. Simply Spirit-Filled is a biblically rooted and well-informed introduction to some of the basics of the charismatic tradition.
Celestial Fire: 365 Days with the
William R. Gibson, a PAOC credential holder, does not shy away from the hot explosive texts over which scholars and theologians have wrangled for years. In this devotional book, Celestial Fire: 365 Days with the Holy Spirit, Bill opens Bible verses with care and explains their meaning for believers today. The cumulative effect of studying every Spirit reference from Genesis to Revelation is powerful, and comes with a suggested biblical reading, an explanation of the verse, and an application to daily life. Topics range from arts to the anointing, taking readers to places they would not otherwise travel. This potent treatise will help you increase your knowledge and understanding of the Third Person of the Trinity, and will resonate with everyone serious about living a dynamic life transformed by heaven’s fire.
https://wordcom.paoc.org/products/celestial-fire-365-days-with-the-holy-spirit-by-william-r-gibson
Jesus in Me—by Anne Graha
In Jesus in Me, Anne Graham Lotz draws on her rich biblical knowledge as well as her personal journey—including a recent cancer diagnosis—to help us understand that the Holy Spirit is not a magic genie, a flame of fire, or a vague feeling. He is a Person who prays for us, guides us in our relationships and decisions, comforts us in pain, and stays by our side at all times. In this seminal teaching, she explores seven key aspects of the Holy Spirit that will revolutionize how you understand and relate to this vital third Person of the Trinity. Each name that He has been given—Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, and Standby—reveals another aspect of His beautiful character that is displayed on a daily basis through His presence, power and provision in our daily lives.
https://wordcom.paoc.org/products/jesus-in-me-by-anne-graham-lotz
This video-enhanced curriculum leads kids on a journey of discovery about the Holy Spirit and His importance in their lives. Follow four investigators as they reflect on how they joined the team. Their stories will inspire kids to listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
https://wordcom.paoc.org/products/who-is-the-holy-spirit-dvd-edition-for-kids
Now What? for Kids: Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Help children understand what happens when they’re baptized in the Holy Spirit. Now What? for Kids: Baptism in the Holy Spirit has the answers kids need in a format they can understand. Designed to be read with a leader or other adult, this booklet will help your team answer kids’ questions about who the Holy Spirit is and what His baptism means to their lives.
https://wordcom.paoc.org/products/now-what-for-kids-baptism-in-the-holy-spirit-booklet
The Experiential Gospel of John
What Bible verses have you actually EXPERIENCED lately? The early church turned the world upside down for Christ because they had two simple but powerful commandments as their guide: Love God and love people (Matthew 22:40). The Experiential Gospel of John offers a daily, guided reading plan that emphasizes how Scripture has BOTH objective meaning and relational significance as you actually DO Bible verses. Experience a guided plan for spiritual growth based upon 40 discipleship outcomes which are RELATIONAL and impossible to live apart from the Holy Spirit. Resource kits are available. Call 905-542-7400 or email wordcom@paoc.org for more information. Ideal for small group discipleship.
https://wordcom.paoc.org/products/the-experiential-gospel-of-john
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