February 8, 2012

The New Testament books of Revelation and Matthew have been my devotional reading during the last two months. I am preaching from Nehemiah this week, a sermon entitled “Together We Can.” Devotionally, I will read a chapter a day from Acts, as I seek to live daily in the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Last night I enjoyed a visit to the Theology library at APU, browsing the periodicals and reference shelves. I picked up a magazine devoted to hymns, and read an article by Eric Mathis about the Hymn Society’s annual meeting in Colorado Springs in July, 2011 and the consideration of the role of screens in worship. I read an article in the journal published by the United Methodist Archives and History about Easter, 1964 in Mississippi concerning the issue of segregated worship. Two bishops, one black, one white were refused admittance to 11:00 am Easter worship in the largest Methodist church in Jackson, Mississippi because it had a church policy of whites only in worship. The denomination’s General Conference was held a month later, and could have dealt strongly with this issue, but appeared to be somewhat conciliatory and unwilling to firmly do away with segregation. I also read a reprint of a statement issued in 1963 by several Mississippi Methodist pastors, including Maxie Dunnam resolving to obey the 1960 book of discipline and support public worship in which all were accepted. It is good to stay in touch with the history and learn lessons for the present and future.

I also studied a display that was sponsored by a ministry that encourages APU students to invest their lives ministering among unreached peoples – those who will never meet a Christian unless Christians intentionally place themselves in the countries and cultures that are unreached. The display estimated that there are 2.8 billion of such people in the world today.

Acts 1

After declining to tell the disciples when the time will come in which the “Kingdom is restored”, Jesus tells the apostles “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

This power is so important in serving God. John Wesley experienced this power as he ministered in 18th century England. He famously said "I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out."

The Pentecostal/Charismatic movements emphasize this power, sometimes in ways that are contrived and forced. The mainline churches often give lip service to this available power, but maintain the form of religion void of this power. My goal is to genuinely walk in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, daily cultivating a Christ-centered, Spirit-filled servant-hearted life. My experience is that with this orientation, the Spirit provides direction, promptings, guidance throughout the day, and occasionally operates in ways that are noticeable to others.

Guide me today Lord as I walk in the Spirit and am your witness, telling others about you here in southern California.