If we are being shaken to wake up Spiritually, it may also feel relevant to look anew to being freshly filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ ministry began after the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove settled on Him at His baptism in water at the Jordan with John the Baptist.
The early church in Acts became powerful after being baptised by holy flames and breathe like wind of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
We too can receive the Holy Spirit by turning away from any known wrong doings which we would call sin, and asking forgiveness for them and asking Jesus into our hearts to reign as Lord and Master and asking the Holy Spirit in.
All who truly repent and ask will receive.
If we have never asked this we might feel compelled to open our hands to receive and form the last paragraph into a prayer and wait to be filled and in His presence.
The experience will differ in any one of us on different occasions but for certain we will all be convicted of His presence with us and will change.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit will become more evident.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
Galatians 5:22-23
These attributes will become more visible in us. Just as a tree is identifiable by the fruits it bears so will a Spirit filled Christian begin to live their identity in Christ in their lives and become recognisable.
Stirrings within us especially triggered by love may have already heralded this awakening.
In the times of the early church, birthed in Acts at Pentecost. There were also gifts received from the power of the Holy Spirit.
Faith, wisdom, Knowledge, discernment, healing, miracles, prophesy, speaking in tongues and interpretation.
Not given for selfish means but for tools to be used to benefit others. Enabling the early Christians to continue using Jesus power and making Him known to the world. Declaring God’s heart, family and Kingdom to all nations.
Is our awakening the brink of another such time a move of God in our midst?
Spiritual awakening will radically change individuals, humanity, society and the world.
The illustration is of the Spirit filled Christian, rooted and anchored firmly in God, bearing branches, limbs empowered by Jesus to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
There is a sense of intertwining and abiding in the Lord.
Two scriptures that come to mind :
‘If anyone is in Christ He is a new creation’. 2 Chor 5 v 17
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. Matt 12 v 33
Lessisgreater 