Have you ever tried
hitting mosquitoes? If you are not good at aiming precisely, chances are you
will be hitting the air. It’s the same with this world where people get
exhausted trying out every means to achieve what they want. Some people just
want to be able to provide 3 meals for their family. Some people are desperate
to clear their mountains of debt. Some people want to have better material
lives. Some people desire fame, power, influence, etc. The list goes on. The
good news for you as believers of Jesus Christ is you don’t have to ‘hit the
air’ in all directions to reach your life’s destiny. The Bible says,
He
who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV)
‘Calls’ (Greek) = kalěō
– ‘call you by your name (to Him)’.
It is different from
‘calling’ (Greek) = klēsis – ‘an invitation to calling or vocation’.
This means it applies
to every believer that God has called by name to Him. It is not referring only to
those who have ministry calling.
‘Do’ (Greek) = pǒiěō
– ‘to commit, to fulfil, to observe, to perform, to continue without delay’.
If you cross reference
to Philippians 1:6 (NKJV), ‘God
will do it’ also means you can be “confident
of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it
until the day of Jesus Christ.” Whatever purpose God has for you, He’ll
make sure He completes it.
Isn’t Jesus wonderful?
He didn’t just finish His work on the cross, say ‘bye-bye’ and leave you to
fulfil your life’s destiny by yourself. Instead, He will make sure you are
groomed to be the person He wants you to be. Thus, it’s not your responsibility
but God’s responsibility to fulfil His purpose for your life. What you need to do
is just to flow with Him (i.e. follow Him).
Then, you may ask, “What is it that He will do in my life?”, and “How do I flow with Him?”
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
‘Power’ = (Greek) dunamis – ‘miraculous power for signs & wonders’.
Signs & wonders = miraculous ability, miraculous abundance, miraculous strength.
Be witnesses = be the testimonies, be the evidences.
Jesus baptizes you with the Holy Spirit so that you will receive His miraculous enabling to have miraculous achievements, miraculous providence and miraculous health. Then, your life will be a testimony and evidence for God. Your life will be a witness that God is real. If you understand the above revelation, you will start to experience God’s miraculous works in and through your life.
People who see God’s wonderful works in and through your life will be ready for the gospel of Jesus Christ. You need not go through heartache or adopt ‘hard-selling’ persuasion to get your family and friends to believe in Jesus.
Only the Holy Spirit can convict the hearts and cause genuine conversion in non-believers, no matter how good you are in presenting the gospel (see John 16:8-9). Apostle Paul also said it clearly in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NKJV), “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (dunamis), that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
The Holy Spirit works when you rest in the Lord
You may then ask, “How does the Holy Spirit work in my life?”
The Holy Spirit works in your life when you choose to REST in the Lord!
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus told those who labour and are heavy laden to come to Him and take His yoke, which is easy. He also promised that they will find rest for their souls. A yoke is normally put on two animals to carry a cart together. Imagine there is someone who is much more muscular than you to carry a yoke together with you. Chances are he’ll be taking most of the weight while you just rest and walk along with him. To have someone much stronger and mightier, that is Jesus Himself, to share a yoke with you also means you are totally set free from your burden/load because He is carrying it all instead. Therefore, to take Jesus’ yoke means to rest in a Mighty God while you allow Him to take all your burdens and work things out for you.
The word ‘REST’ in Isaiah 28:11-12 (NKJV) doesn’t indicate to lie down in stagnancy. Isaiah prophesied, ‘For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people. To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest.” And, “This is the refreshing”…
This is awesome! When you pray in tongues, you are actually resting in the Lord and allowing the Holy Spirit to help you in any of your situation.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:26-28 NKJV)
‘Help’ = (Greek) sunantilambanǒmai – ‘to take hold of opposite together, to co-operate’.
‘Sun’ – union, with, together.
‘Antilambanǒmai’ – to participate.
Therefore, when you pray in the spirit (pray in tongues), you allow the Holy Spirit to work together with you, and to make intercession for you. All things will then work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose!
Dear friends, do not undermine praying in the spirit! If Jesus specifically commanded all His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father (i.e. the baptism of the Holy Spirit), it shows how significant and important it is for you to be strengthened in the Holy Spirit. As you pray in the spirit and stand on God’s Word (Jesus), you will not act hastily (see Isaiah 28:16). Instead, you will hear the Holy Spirit teaching you how to go about with your life, business, or ministry (see Isaiah 28:23-29). Your heart will be at rest, yet you see great results in whatever you put your hands on! Your heart will also be at rest because you know deep in your heart that with every little thing that you do now, you are heading towards the fulfilment of your life’s destiny.
No one can help you to determine your life’s direction or destiny except the Holy Spirit. He is your best Teacher who teaches and reminds you of God’s Word (see John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13-15). The great news is God has promised His Spirit to you - so that you can pray in the spirit, pray according to His leading, and thus, allowing Him to help you.
So, have you ‘rested & refreshed’ today?