POWER Thru 30: Day 6

If Twitter and Text Messaging was around in the time of Jesus, the Apostle Mark would have been the one who was all over it. I absolutely love the way Mark writes. While Matthew is so focused on detail of every situation, the Gospel of Mark is written in almost modern "thumb and thumb action" fashion. He strategically attacks with fast moving jabs and punches, and seems to dance around the ring with just enough swiftness to hit you in the mouth with devastating quick blows. He writes with a technique that is all together unique in that he has the ability to give you precise and accurate information. As I was reading today I envisioned him tweeting details of the day:

"Packed house..Paralyzed guy gets let in through the roof..Jesus heals him...so far AWESOME DAY"

The struggle sometimes when reading a book such as the Gospel of Mark, is that we may un-intentionally miss something. For me, I was reminded once again that for a period of 30 years, Jesus was seen as nothing more than ordinary. He was known, like most of us, for who His parents were, who His siblings were and what He did for a living. Yet, there is the epic moment when He is baptized and the Holy Spirit comes upon Him....and it seems as though that moment was the beginning of the physical manifestation of the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE MOVEMENT OF JESUS. Here is what caught my attention as I read today: Everywhere Jesus went, everywhere He moved and in every situation He was in, He did something amazing and awe inspiring. He healed the sick, made the lame walk, made the blind see....he withered trees and calmed the storms...he fed the hungry and awakened the dead. There was nowhere He go where ordinary regular folks weren't chasing Him down. 

Does that amaze...absolutely! But here is what drew my attention even more. The Pharisees...the most religious and educated people of the day....they demand signs from Jesus. Can you imagine? He goes around everyday performing feats that are nothing less that spectacular and these guys want a sign. 

"The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 'Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.' "  8:11-12

The hearts of these men we so hardened and cold that they could not see God moving...they COULD NOT SEE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTION!! And then just as quickly as I had that thought, the next one devastated me....thats me...those men are me. How many times have I sat in a Church service, or in a youth group or during a worship time and have failed to see The Holy Spirit move because my heart was so hard and cynical? I have demanded to see a sign from God, and in doing so I have slowly closed my eyes to see His wonders. I was hit with a shot to the mouth that knocked me out of the ring!! My heart was convicted and moved to seek God for forgiveness....how long will I belong to this crooked generation asking for signs when the God of the universe is moving right in front of my face. I want my eyes to be open to see the Holy Spirit move...to SEE HIM IN ACTION. 

I wanted to know if I would ever see what I was praying for, and before I knew it I was comforted with the words of Jesus Himself,

"Therefor I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." 11:24

I have a new found confidence that my eyes are going to be continually opened to the POWER of the Holy Spirit. I am devastated that I am allowed to even approach a God who loves me more than I deserve. My plea to you, is that you too would ask and BELIEVE to see GOD moving....BELIEVE it and it will be yours!! My prayer is that our generation would be one that is fueled by the HOLY SPIRIT TO SEE AND BE THE LIGHT TO DARKNESS....ALL TO THE GLORY OF JESUS!