A Strong Wind . . . Gale Force

Oregonians . . . true Oregonians . . . expect rain and wind storms.  There are occasions that high winds cause great damage, especially in the coastal region.   The high winds . . . at gale force . . .  knock out a good portion of the coast’s power, push trees over, scatter debris all over and create general chaos. 

It is unbelievable that wind in this era could create such chaos. Then again, let’s be honest . . . it doesn’t take much for daily living patterns to be thrown off. Life seems to be going well . . . one thing changes . . . chaos takes over . . . so much for schedules and order. . . nothing seems to go according to plans.

 Isn’t interesting that wind is used as imagery to describe the Spirit of God?

 When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. (Acts 2:1-4)

The Holy Spirit came in a power so great that it was like a strong wind, gale force.  Lives were turned upside-down-inside-out.  Nothing would ever be the same.  The power  of the Spirit transformed the landscape of humanity. 

In his book, Luke included John the Baptist’s teaching about the transforming power of the Spirit of God:

But John intervened: "I'm baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned." (Luke 3:16)

Imagine sitting in the upper room.  You hear something . . . like  a strong wind . . . at gale force . . . and you receive the Spirit of God within you.  It was then  the revolution began . . . a revolution of power . . . that continues to this day.  

And . . .  the power of the Spirit enables you and I to make sense out of life . . . to understand that there is a plan . . . with empowerment to live out the plan with purpose and passion.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . in the power of the Spirit.

                                      Pastor Kerrie

 (written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
interactstudies/ ~ kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnv,lle, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/