An Awakening

Today Marks Day 34 of Counting the Omer – 16 Days from Pentecost. It was during that fifty day period between Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension that the disciples were commanded to stay in Jerusalem and seek the promise of the baptism of the Spirit. Luke 24:49 states: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”  For two weeks they gathered in the same upper room where their feet had been wash by Jesus. The same room they had observed their last Passover with Jesus. The same room that marked the horrible events that led to Jesus crucifixion and death. Strangely now that same room was filled with hope and promise. Jesus had risen and appeared – to them, and five hundred others. Now there was an awakening of a promise as old as Moses himself. Numbers 11:17, 29 records the event: Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone…Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” Notice Moses’ desire: “Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets…” This is why Peter made reference to Joel when he recalled: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.” (Acts 2:17-18; Joel 2:28-29) Twice the prophecy states He would pour out His Spirit. Twice he states that they will prophesy. Twice he makes reference to what prophets do: see visions and dream and dreams.

Recently I read a disturbing passage in Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Jackie and I were discussing it in reference to Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Jackie asked, Do you think all churches have a lamp stand? We discussed this for a time and the following morning when I was having my time with the Lord I read in “My Utmost For His Highest” the following: “The fountains from which love flows are in God, not in us. It is absurd to think that the love of God is naturally in our hearts, as a result of our own nature. His love is there only because it “has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…” (Rom. 5:5) If we try to prove to God how much we love Him, it is a sure sign that we really don’t love Him. The evidence of our love for Him is the absolute spontaneity of our love, which flows naturally from His nature within us.” After reading this I knew the Lord was speaking. I chose to look up Romans 5:5: Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

If we have truly been born-again – by the Spirit – then we can all give testimony to when the Holy Spirit shed abroad His love in our hearts. And here lies the key to returning to our First Love: return to the Holy Spirit. If you or I are ever going to experience Jesus as our First Love. If we are ever going to return to Him – once we had it and lost it – then the promise applies that what was lost can now be found again – simply by returning to the Holy Spirit. What does that look like? Make the seed of His Word count. Make bread from that dormant seed that has been sown in your heart. Obey His commands with all your heart. Seek Him through song, thanks-giving, Jesus-centered worship, and prayer. Desire the gifts of the Spirit. Desire to see visions and dream dreams. Desire to prophesy. Go to where you Know He is moving. Go to those you know He resides in and visits. Act like you are hungry and thirsty for Him. Did I say it? Pray. Pray that the Spirit would once again pour out His Love in your heart. Pray! Pray! Pray!