PoWER Thru 30: Day 5

Roughly 15 years ago, the Chicago Bulls were at the peak of basketball immortality. Newspapers all over the country searched the depths of the earth to find the words that would be coined to describe the team that was nothing short of a dynasty. Many people who claimed to be Bulls fans have now vanished behind the shadow of dismal seasons and even worse expectations. But for a period of about 6 years, the Chicago Bulls captivated the people who followed them. Here is the resounding foundation that every Chicago Bulls fan lived on: The Bulls Will Win! It didn't matter if they were down by 20 or up by the same, because at the sound of the final buzzed...game winner was Chicago. We knew it...we believed it...and much more than that we EXPECTED IT!

Maybe in my life, in my reality I don't see signs and wonders and miracles of the cross because deep down I DON'T EXPECT IT! My heart has grown tired and cynical. I question everything that I see in front of me. My faith is not that of a child, but of a well trained sarcastic commentator. I finished the book of Acts today, and I realized that the disciples fully expected God to move. They knew it...the believed it and THEY EXPECTED HIM TO MOVE. 

I want to see the Holy Spirit move not only in my life but in the life of the Church and in the nations...but do I expect it? My hearts desire is to see God move, but my increasing prayer it to allow God to open my eyes and my heart to not only ask to see the Spirit move, but to fully EXPECT that HE WILL!! I want my life to count for something. I want to know that at the end of it all my life was about the Gospel. I read the words of Paul in Acts 20:24 and my heart burns to have this kind of passion!!

"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

Paul lives an epic life, because the Holy Spirit lives in him. He is constantly on the move and he never runs away from his opportunity to testify about who he was, and who he now is because of Jesus. I love the scene in Acts 26 when King Agrippa asks Paul if he is going to persuade him to be a Christian too. Paul's response is flat out inspiring. 

"And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” v 29

Yes I will testify to you...and not only you but to everyone who can hear me! The Holy Spirit is so active in his life, that even in chains he is actively following the direction of the POWER that is at work within him. Paul was so dependent on the Holy Spirit, and because of that he fully expected the Spirit to move. 

If I were to be honest I would have to say that for several years I have felt this overwhelming sense that there had to more than this....that something was missing...little did I know that the something was actually a someone. My intention is not to get into a theological discussion about when the Spirit comes or how He moves, but rather I simply propose this:

Do I Know...Do I Believe...And Do I EXPECT THAT HE WILL?? And I ask you to consider the same. ASK FOR THE PROMISED GIFT....AND FULLY EXPECT HIM TO MOVE!!