God's Special Power for Witnessing ... It's a Surprise!

Are you ready to filled with the Holy Spirit right now? Yes, right now! Not tomorrow, not next week, not next year. Now. You can be. Why? Acts 1:8 reveals to us the amazing purpose of the Holy Spirit in the life of every Christian.

"But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world."

Wow! God's purpose for our life is to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can have power and success in witnessing and evangelism. I want to have power to witness for Christ. How about you? ...

There is nothing magical or mystical to being filled with the Holy Spirit. We just need to ask God to fill us each day, and then fill our minds with God's word, compassion, and love and be at the right places at the right time. God has people all around us. He just needs us to be ready so that when we "witness" we will do it in such a way that we will honor His name.

To help us become more effective witnesses for Jesus, let's look at three statements from Ellen G. White, a woman who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and whom God has used to help lead His Church to the Greater Light of God's Word.  Notice these three statements from her writings.

Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He invited them, “Follow Me. Ministry of Healing, page 73.

In the context of Medical Missionaries being Evangelists, she writes:

"The workers should go forth two by two, that they may pray and consult together. Never should they be sent out alone. The Lord Jesus Christ sent forth His disciples two and two into all the cities of Israel. He gave them the commission, “Heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” Evangelism, page 520.

Also, in the excellent chapter  Co-operation of Ministers and Laymen in the book Christian Service, Ellen White tells us where our ministry location is to be:

"Ministers should not do the work which belongs to the church, thus wearying themselves, and preventing others from performing their duty. They should teach the members how to labor in the church and in the community." page 69.

Challenge

This week, as we continue to study our Sabbath School Lesson entitled "Evangelism and Witnessing as a Lifestyle" let us be encouraged to 1) Use Christ's Method Alone, 2) Go out in groups of two (If going alone, make sure to take the Holy Spirit with you!), and 3) to do your ministry of Love for God in the church and in the community. We will learn more together this week! May you be filled with the Holy Spirit as you minister and share what God has done for you this week!

~ Pastor Sal

Unforgetful Man ... Forgetful God

      We might as well accept it. This side of Heaven, our past will haunt us like old demons in the trail of a new home to make residence. Our past sometimes defines who we are, but not always. Change and Transformation are possible through a kindred Spirit and non-yielding and All Powerful Will. Not our, but His, God's. The reality of the world we live in is that past life, pictures, videos, movies, text messages, blogs, etc., will follow us for the rest of our lives. "Oh yeah, he's the guy that use to be in a gang" or "Oh yeah, she is the girl that was in a movie". 

Our actions are a loud megaphone that cry and announce to others our values and principles. Someone might truthfully say, "Oh, I use to be a porn star in my past life, but now I am not." This is the recent cry of a high school teacher in Oxnard, CA who recently got fired over her past lifestyle and decisions. Rest assured, she is no longer "in that line of business", yet her story clearly reveals that while our past is forgiven by man, it is not too often forgotten. "Hey, watch out for that guy. He use to steal even from his mother. Hide your wallets and purses!" Your life may be a 180 degree change in direction, but human nature never forgets. "Be careful! Watch out with that person! Who knows how deep and lasting his or her reform and transformation might be. Better to be safe than sorry!" 

Well, that is bad news; however, a story never should never end on a bad note. While mankind forgives but never forgets, thankfully there is One who indeed forgives and forgets, God! I'm so glad that God now only forgives but he forgets our past, our sins, our bad behavior, and selfish actions. Listen to these to power promises from the Scriptures:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

1 John 1:9

"You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

Micah 7:19

What an Amazing God there is! I hope you caught the essence of those two promises. When we confess, God not only forgive us for the wrong we have done, but He willingly forgets all about our past mistakes and errors. In fact, Micah says he takes our sins, cast them into the depths of the seas, and then puts a sign that says, "NO FISHING ALLOWED". With God, you can't dig up your past. Because God has a memory bank that forgives and forgets all confessed sins. So how about it, if you are still caring around the troubles of your past with you, and are in need of Peace for your soul, why not go to the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Christ, and confess your sins to Him and allow his peace to flood your life like a river? 

~ Pastor Sal Garcia