Acts 10:44-48
Power. Raw Power. As a boy I stood on the banks of Roaring River fishing for trout. It was severely cold. I watched the beautiful rainbow trout as they tried to determine if they wanted to strike my line. As I looked into the crystal clear water I had no idea the river came from a powerful source. Far upstream is a natural spring from which surges 22 million gallons of water every day. Does the weather matter? Does it have to be warm to have that kind of result? No. The water bubbles up out of the spring unhampered by what is going on all around. We could say that a very similar occurrence can be expected when the Holy Spirit settles in on a group of holy people seeking to be stirred in their spirit. He comes in power. Jesus promised this to us when he said, ABut ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.@ (Acts 1:8a) This can be ours if we but determine to avail ourselves. Do you want revival for someone else? Do you want revival for your church? Until you hunger and thirst after a revival of spiritual intimacy with the Savior in your own life you will not experience the possibility of His power.
Dr. Gayle Woods
Romans 4:16-25 (25)
Robert Coleman tells a gripping story in his book “Written in Blood.”
The doctor explained to little Johnny that his sister, Mary, had the same disease he had recovered from two years earlier. Marys only chance for recovery was a transfusion from someone who had previously overcome the disease. They both had the same rare blood type, so Johnny was the ideal donor.
“Would you give your blood to Mary?” the doctor asked.
Johnnys lower lip started to tremble. Finally he said, “Sure, for my sister.”
Soon the procedure was begun. As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny’s smile faded. He watched the blood flow through the tube.
With his voice quivering Johnny finally broke the silence. “Doctor, when do I die?”
It was then that the doctor realized why Johnny had hesitated when he’d agreed to donate his blood. He’d thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. In that brief moment, he’d made his great decision.
Johnny didn’t have to die to save his sister. Our condition more serious than Mary’s, however, and Jesus had to give not just his blood, but his life. He died on the cross that we might be forgiven of our sinfulness and have eternal life.
Dr. Gayle Woods
