“’And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.  And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” (Acts 2:17-21).

When the Holy Spirit is being poured out from heaven, he does not enter quietly, he is accompanied by signs and wonders. When God poured out his Spirit on that first day of Pentecost, “…suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where [the 120 disciples] were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).

On the night of his crucifixion Jesus spoke to his disciples about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, saying “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16: 7-11).

The signs and wonders that were prophesied to accompany the outpouring of the Spirit by the prophet Joel in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28-32), and by the apostle Peter in the New Testament (Acts 2:16-21), are the evidence of the three convictions of the Holy Spirit that Jesus foretold would accompany the outpouring of the Spirit in the last days.

Therefore what we are witnessing playing itself out in the world at this time is not random or willy-nilly, but is in fact the evidence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh – the sinful and the righteous – so that their works may be exposed.

As the works of the enemy become darker, the Church is meant to shine brighter and brighter to expel that darkness. Isaiah 59:19 says, “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (KJV). The standard that the Spirit lifts up against the enemy is the righteousness of God in Christ as demonstrated through his Church.

This is the time for God’s people to shine the light of Christ into the world, and not be afraid. As Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

Beloved Friends, it is up to us as the Church and the Body of Christ on earth to present ourselves to the world as Christ’s letter of recommendation. To be his ambassadors, so that his will is done on earth as it is in heaven as we demonstrate the workings of his kingdom. As Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus:

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Part Four of our series, “Who is the Holy Spirit?” gives us insight into Jesus’ last words to his disciples before he was carried up into heaven. He instructed them: “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 ESV).

“The promise that they were waiting to receive was the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5).

But before he could send his Spirit, Jesus had to return to the Father:

“He told them, ‘You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.’

 These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, ‘You Galileans! —why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left’” (Acts 1:7-11 MSG).

Part Three of our series explains how the presence of the Holy Spirit provides us with the anointing and the power to live, work, and witness:

“Through the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in us, we are established in Christ, anointed for ministry, and sealed with the guarantee of our legal standing as children of God and co-inheritors with Jesus.

Therefore that same anointing that was demonstrated by Jesus is extended to us through his Holy Spirit, and we also are called to declare the good news of liberty to all those who are oppressed, herald the recovery of sight to the blind and to proclaim the wonderful grace of God’s favor.”

Here is the link to the article: Who is the Holy Spirit? – Part Three: The Oil of Anointing.

A few years ago, on Mother’s Day my daughter gifted me with a sweet little book called “For You, Mom” filled with quotes and quips about motherhood. I rediscovered it on my bookshelf yesterday and thought it would be nice to share a few quotes from it with you this Mother’s Day….

Historian Washington Irving said that “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness and cause peace to return to our hearts.”

An old Spanish proverb declares, “An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.”

Nineteenth century poet Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote that “The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men – from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms.”

Oprah Winfrey stated that “Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.”

And George Washington, military general, and founding father and first president of the United States, summed it up when he said, “All I am I owe to my mother.”

And for all the beloved Grandmothers, praying for your families because you may have raised your children but you will never let them go, this promise is for you, from Psalm 103:1-5,

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

God is with us. His Blood covers us. His Spirit fills and comforts us. His Word strengthens us. His Promises protect and restore us. His Truth illuminates our paths. His Provision carries us, all the way home.

All of us at Speak Comfort wish you and your families a Happy Mother’s Day. We love you, and we are praying for you every day, in Jesus’ holy name.

Haywood, Robin. For You, Mom. Portland, ME: Sellers Publishing, Inc. 2015. Print.

All scriptures are from the English Standard Version translation.

Please follow along with us as we revisit our series, “Who is the Holy Spirit?” parts 1-8.

Part Two highlights how we are reborn and made new immediately through salvation, and then how we are continuously being renovated by the presence of the Holy Spirit:

“Even though at the moment that we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are washed clean from every sin and our standing with God is made perfect in him, our souls, our mortal bodies and even our immortal spirits cannot – as a unit – receive all of God’s glory all at once. The process of sanctification while we are on earth is gradual.

The Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ, renewing our “inner man,” which is another way to say that the Holy Spirit is renewing our spirits and restoring our souls, day by day. The Holy Spirit is leading us on a straight path, from glory to glory, one day at a time. He is our Teacher and Guide. God’s Spirit is the Spirit of Sanctification.”

Here is the link to the article: Who is the Holy Spirit? – Part Two: From Glory to Glory.

During this season of pandemic, it is essential that we as believers hold fast to the truth that nothing can separate us from the love of God and the protection of Jesus Christ. This is true no matter our circumstances, and now it is even more necessary that we do not lose faith in the goodness of God in these historically difficult times.

 On September 11, 2001, my daughter was five years old. I remember watching as destruction and devastation took hold first of New York City, then our nation, and finally the rest of the world as the safety and security we took for granted literally fell out of the sky. I remember whisking my daughter to another room, away from the television. She asked, “What’s wrong Mom?” and I told her, “Someone flew an airplane into a big building in New York City.” She asked, “Was anybody hurt?” All I could say was, “Yes, Honey, people were hurt, we have to pray.” How do you tell a child that everything just changed forever, in the blink of an eye? Since then she has grown up in the post-911 world and does not remember what it was like before.

Almost twenty years later my granddaughter is five years old, and the whole world is in quarantine. She started pre-K last fall and in the weeks before her first day of school she was extremely nervous. It only took her two or three days to find her place in the excitement of getting to know wonderful teachers, a flock of new friends, and activities that she was solidly prepared for. On Fridays she would say she could not wait for Monday so she could be with her pals.

Then suddenly stay-at-home orders were issued, everything came to a full stop, and she has not seen her friends and teachers for weeks. We have not explained to her yet that she may not see them again until she starts kindergarten in the fall. She knows there is “a thing” happening, and that one day it will “go away,” but that scrap of information does not make her feel any better. She can not wrap her understanding around why almost every kid in the world is stuck at home at the same time. Yesterday was gloriously sunny, and we ventured over to a local playground, only to be met with orange plastic barriers and signs that warned us to KEEP OUT. Although she is staying cheerful, this lockdown is starting to get to her. My granddaughter misses the little playmates she loves so very much.

In the New Testament, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:27-30).

 Jesus, the Lamb of God, knows what it feels like to be one of the sheep, and because his heart is full of compassion for his flock, he is also the Good Shepherd. He leads us, he feeds us, he gives us rest. He guides us through valleys filled with shadows and prepares a feast of anointing for us on the other side. He is Goodness and Mercy and he will be with us all our lives, extending into eternity.

 Hebrews 11 is known as the “faith hall of fame.” In it, we find the names of Biblical heroes like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Moses, and we are introduced to a nameless host of others who conquered kingdoms, quenched fires, starved lions, and put armies to flight. They hid in caves and wandered homeless. They walked by faith and not by sight and they pleased God. Yet they did not receive the full promise that we, on this side of the cross, have received by grace. “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (vv. 29-30).

Like little children who can only see so far and understand so much, we do not know what the future holds. But our Father in heaven proclaims the end from the beginning and nothing can snatch us out of his hands. While he shapes us, he protects us. As he guides us, he strengthens us. We are being prepared for everything that lies ahead, and our Savior never lets go of our hands. With that assurance we can trust God and not be afraid, no matter the circumstances.

 “Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!”

(Psalm 134)

All scriptures are from the English Standard Version translation.