Humility Receives God's Spirit

Acts 19:4-6

This scripture definitely makes a point that there's a difference
between the baptism of water and Holy Spirit. The first one was about
repentance. What I've learned about baptism is that it's a public
declaring of our devotion to God through the blood of Jesus. It's not
a necessary thing but a public proclimation of our faith. We are
saved by believing that Jesus died and was resurrected for our sins.

How does this translate into repentance? Repentance is about
recognizing our unholiness, the sin passed down through our flesh.
It's more than acknowledgement, it's asking for forgiveness AND
equiping ourselves never to stumble again (doesn't mean to be perfect;
honest desire to overcome sin).

So where does baptism of the Holy Spirit come in? Does it really come
after water baptism? What I've learned about this is that once you
truly accept Jesus as Lord and Savior you will have been baptized by
the Holt Spirit.

In today's passage, the men in Ephesus only received John's baptism
and not the Holy Spirit's. Does this mean that they weren't really
disciples and weren't saved? In fact, they didn't even know about the
Holy Spirit, a critical piece of our Gospel and Triune God. Maybe
they were disciples under John the Baptist's teachings and just never
exposed to the good news.

What this scripture is telling me today is that no matter how much
knowledge and understanding you think you have, God's Spirit is what
matters most. John's disciples could've been prideful because they
had status but they were teachable and humble. They were open to the
Gospel and they were so blessed by it.

Father God, thank You for blessing me with Your Holy Spirit. You are
my strength, comfort, joy & and my absolute everything! Help me to be
a man who loves You with the appreciation and thankfulness You
deserve. Help me to worship You just for who You are and not so much
what You do for me... this is because You're so much greater. I love
You Father, Son & Holy Spirit! Amen!

Jason K. Kaneshiro
(Sent from my iPhone)

Today's Devotions

This is a test of today’s devotions posted on blogspot.com.
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Acts 14:14-15

Footprints

Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

Acts 12:8-10

As much as we would like God's tangible works in our lives every moment, there are times when He must pull His angels and hedge of protection away from us. There are many reasons for this but a big one I think is so that we don't become dependant on the blessings. God's angel was with Peter just long enough, not a moment too little or too much. We can be spoiled with God's provisions, so much so that it's not that anymore. It becomes a crutch and disables us instead of enabling us. God knows what those limits are and we need to be satisfied with and without deeds; because it's all by His hand and it's always good.

I think about that poster and words on footprints. About how we can feel like God left us alone on our journey only to realize that we never were alone. In fact, He's carried us in the most trying of times. I look back at my life and see ups and downs; clearly seeing God's works in every step. But that's in my correct state of mind. When I'm down feeling helpless, no good, unworthy... these are the times where I need to really focus on God's presence in my life. I cannot ever forget that He's always with me no matter how alone I feel. I must remember that He'll reveal Himself as an angel sometimes, a friend or even a stranger... or maybe silence to my own thoughts. If it's drawing my thoughts back to Him, there He is.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making Yourself known in so many ways. I have a prayer today for a brother in Christ. No details have been revealed yet but I know there's hurt and a sense of urgency to talk to You again. Grant me LORD Your Spirit to accomplish the things You have laid out today; no more, no less. Allow me to serve You and be Your angel to this brother, Your son. I love You Father God & Friend. In the Most High of all Names... Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Discernment of Authority

Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked.

The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

Acts 10:4-8

As I read this what caught my attention was the obedience of the men Cornelius sent. What would've happened if they didn't go? What if they went against his authority and said it can't be done. I think about the whole situation with Simon Peter and how summoning and Peter agreeing to go is such a monumental task. I think about those caught in the middle. They (assuming here) didn't hear from God directly but yet still carried out Cornelius' commands.

I reflect on the church and how ministries are carried out by leaders and their fractals above them leading up to the senior pastor. Are we to carry out the commands set through our leadership without question? This also reminds me of a personal experience with Frontlines. When asked to sing a secular song that had roots in political issues (John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change"), I initially agreed to do it. But then a stirring in my soul took over to the point of conviction and told my leader I can't do it. I was reprimanded and felt awful. I was told that if leadership asks me to do something, it's already been through leadership's blessings. I was told there was a "red flag" on me already because of my disobedience. My flesh was upset but understood the message being sent. I feel there's a level of discernment that still needs to be placed on authority but the lesson was well received.

So the lesson that I'm being reintroduced to is submitting to God's authority, in heaven and the authority He's placed around us. Those Cornelius sent didn't just obey blindly. They trusted their leader and knew him well. I'm assuming too that Cornelius was probably a stand-up guy who people could see that he was a man of God. We all obey as the Spirit prompts.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mighty leadership and guidance. Help me LORD to discern everything according to Your Spirit. Knock me off my feel when I'm going down the wrong path and open my eyes to Light's guidance. Thank You for this day and the opportunities to glorify Your Name! In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!

The World Will Never Know

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,

and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.

Who can speak of his descendants?

For his life was taken from the earth."

The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Acts 8:30-35

The world really doesn't understand the Gospel. They may know the story about what happened but the meaning of the parables, lessons and history is nothing more than information to them. God has blessed us with knowing what it meant for Jesus to die on that cross. It wasn't just a good man making a point or even taking a stand (a martyr). It was a sacrifice so that our chains to sin and death would be broken once and for all... for everyone who accepts this wonderful gift! Many non-believers may know lots of information about the phrase but they will never know with their hearts what it means for an innocent person to take the deserved punishment of all mankind.