Holy Spirit – PAOLOPUNZALAN.COM

WHEN YOUR STRENGTH IS FADING AND THE WEEK IS BARELY STARTING

Last Sunday, Janina, Ryan and I joined a duathlon. Ryan, who’s 14, and I tried it last year and wanted to do it again this year. Janina, our 19-year-old, wanted to join us. Nathan also wanted to race but he got sick last minute.

Since it was the first time for Janina, I wanted it to be a pleasant experience for her that she would want to do it again next time. So I paced with her to guide her throughout the race.

Since it was a duathlon, the sequence was run then bike then run again. In the last leg, we were in our last couple of kilometers. We were tired and worn out. So our plan was to do a slow run, maybe even walk for a minute right before the last kilometer so that we can finish strong. Of course, we need to finish strong for the cameras and Instagram. 🙂

But right before we were at the point of the slow run/walk, out of the blue, Janina’s best friend, Hannah showed up. She surprised her. This gave Janina a boost and totally forgot about her exhaustion.

The Bible says in John 14:16 that the Holy Spirit is our ‘parakletos’ – helper, advocate, and comforter. When we say comfort, we usually think of ease and freedom from hardship. But comfort comes from 2 words. “Com” for “with” and “fort” for “strength” where we get the word fortitude.

The way Hannah gave Janina a boost of strength in the last kilometer of the race, the Holy Spirit has the ability to strengthen us for this life’s race we are running. And the awesome thing is that He doesn’t just do it in the last leg, but He has the ability to empower us the whole time.

PRAYER:
Holy Spirit, strengthen us for this week. We acknowledge and honor You as our Comforter, Advocate, and Helper. Because of this truth, as we surrender and yield to your leadership, we know that this week will work out for my good and ultimately for God’s glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Here are several photos from the race…

WHAT KIND OF DRUNK ARE YOU?

I was stirred when I read Acts 2 again this morning for my daily reading.

The Holy Spirit came upon all the apostles. This is what we would usually refer to as the Pentecost.

At that moment, boldness and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit came upon them that they started in different languages not native to them.

Concurrently, Peter, with extraordinary boldness preached to the crowd about Christ and what He accomplished at the cross. (Remember, just a few days before that, he was cowering in fear, denying Jesus three times.

It was interesting what the following events were.

1. People thought they were drunk, even crazy.

When we decide to follow Christ and get baptized by the Holy Spirit, many will not quite understand what is taking place. Many times, we also don’t. But that’s what it means to ‘go against the flow.’ They’ll think you’re crazy for not being like everyone else.

2. Signs and wonders followed.

God did ‘extraordinary miracles‘ on their behalf. You’ll notice this throughout the book of Acts. The whole book is actually the “Acts of the Holy Spirit.”

As you put your faith in Jesus and get filled with His Spirit, expect miracles to happen in your life. Beginning miracle? Your salvation.

Jesus didn’t die to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive.

3. People responded to the gospel.

Signs are exactly what they are – SIGNS.

Standing by a sign going to Baguio doesn’t mean you are already in Baguio. It just points you to the direction going to Baguio.

Many get stuck in the signs (and wonders) that they camp there. Signs should point not just to the miracle but to the Miracle Worker (Jesus).

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit… (Ephesians 5:18, NLT)

POWERLESS LIFE?

Attending the World Prayer Assembly has re-ignited, adjusted, rebuked, corrected and re-calibrated my life as a Christ follower.

It is so easy to live life apart from the leading of the Holy Spirit.
… apart from the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
… apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.

I can actually go about my day doing things for God not realizing I am doing things without God.

From being a husband to being a dad.
From being a Victory Group leader to being a pastor.
From working in the office to going to the mall with my lovely wife.

The Bible says in Acts 19:11 that God did extraordinary miracles through Paul…

It didn’t just say miracles. The Bible said “extraordinary” miracles as if miracles are actually ordinary.

Note that a few verses earlier, Paul was just talking and preaching about the person and the power of the Holy Spirit. Then immediately after, it talks about God doing extraordinary miracles through him.

I’m reminded of what Francis Chan said in his book, Forgotten God.

I don’t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit. I want people to look at my life and know that I couldn’t be doing this by my own power. I want to live in such a way that am desperate for him to come through. And if He doesn’t come through, I’m screwed.

Lord teach us to always move in the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit that we may bring honor and glory to you every moment of our lives.