"Astonished"

Today's reading - Acts 10:44-48 (NIV): 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

When friends at church say they haven’t seen me lately, I tell them to look up, that I am normally perched upstairs at the media desk. I lead the media worship team and enjoy developing graphics & visual worship elements to enhance the theme of worship and message that our pastor has chosen.

What I like most is watching the Holy Spirit at work through our pastors, or the singers or the worshippers. This scripture tells us that the believers with Peters were astonished the Holy Spirit poured out even on these gentiles. Some Sunday’s I am in awe and astonished seeing the Lord at work! The spirit is working in hearts, for prayer and tears and smiles and nods of heads all occur each week.

From my view upstairs, I see the newness of life in every age group. When the young man about 12 years of age in the ‘traditional’ service goes to pray at the altar and then brings his offering to the table I am witnessing powerful work.

When the Holy Spirit is poured out upon people, they are changed, and can’t be kept hidden. Holy Spirit people are the light of the world, the messenger of the great ‘I Am’ and the ones entrusted with speaking in whatever tongue that is needed to exclaim salvation is ours because Jesus Saves.

Step away from the worship service sometime, or climb up into the balcony and just watch how God works through all elements of worship. Know every aspect of the service is anointed, don’t rely on the sermon alone to please you, or the hymn or song that is sung, or the scripture passage that was chosen. Ask for and rely upon the work and power of the Holy Spirit to anoint your pastor and your congregation so that all that come will be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Dorothy D. Brucks
Aldersgate UMC, Nixa, MO.
www.aldersgatechurch.com