Wednesday, June 03, 2009

The amazing gifts of God

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:33 (NIV)

33 Exalted to the right hand of God, [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Good morning!

In her prime, my mother was one of the finest cooks in the world. Mom always had to taste everything she cooked before she put it on the table! Even today, when she comes into my kitchen, the first thing she does is reach for a spoon from the silverware drawer and personally tastes the simmering foods cooking on top of my stove. And she doesn’t hesitate to pull a spice or two from the turntable and season it to taste.

Ever noticed how a young baby will put everything they see and touch into their mouth? For them, understanding comes through taste and texture; the way something feels. More than just squelching a hunger or teething pain, a taste of life helps our wee ones better comprehend what it is they are holding in the palm of their hands.

The Father has given us the sensory gifts of sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. Some gifts are stronger than others, yet all gifts work together for good, so that we may experience life at its fullest measure. The Holy Spirit had been promised to the Son, and when the Son sat at the right hand of the Father, He poured out the gift of the Spirit upon all who believe. It is through this amazing sensory gift that we can now spiritually see, hear, taste, touch and experience a real and personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ today.

The end result of my mother’s fussing over a simmering dinner was a perfectly seasoned spaghetti sauce - a tempting taste treat for every pasta lover sitting at the table. The end result of a baby’s ability to suck and taste is the comfort he receives in the experience. The end result of a believer who receives the gift of the Holy Spirit is a greater sensitivity to the things of God. They will see things just a little differently, hear what many miss, and taste the love of Christ in ways that some simply cannot understand. They are ultra-sensitive to sin, more apt to confess and repent frequently, and are constantly drawn to a deeper and closer walk with the Lord. It is the sensory gifts of the Holy Spirit that changes hearts from the inside out, comforts us daily, and leads us into each new experience with His gift of holy boldness. The Spirit made all the difference in a scared bunch of disciples who did not know what to say. Everything changes when the Holy Spirit comes.

Christ continues to pour out the gift of His Holy Spirit upon all who truly and earnestly seek Him. O, taste and see that the Lord is good! Ask Jesus today to pour out His Holy Spirit on your life right now. Come and taste for yourself the amazing gifts of God.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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