SCRIPTURE: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. Acts 2:17-18 NIV
The first advent of Jesus brought a lot of light into the world, but many people missed it. Light is helpful, even miraculous the way it exposes everything — from the beautiful, to the mundane, to the downright evil. Journey with author and blogger Amy Clemens as she explores the advent of one who said he was the light of the world…a light that shines in darkness…that exposes. A light that will make a second advent, with a power and glory no one will miss.
THOUGHT: It’s the last day of the year (as if you needed me to tell you!), and as a finale to the Advent series, consider this: Between the angel’s announcement to Mary and the return of Mary and Joseph to Nazareth, there were more than 15 miraculous events – angelic visitors, prophesies given, prophesies fulfilled, dreams, visions and other miracles that made the conception, birth, and safety of a baby named ‘Jesus’ possible.
We, too, live in an unusual period of history – and we do not know how long it will last or what we are facing. But Peter’s words ring down through history to today as he spoke about what God had said he would do before “the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord (Acts 2:20)”: an outpouring of God’s Spirit in prophesy, visions, and dreams. This is the very method God used to bring Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Simeon, Anna, the Shepherds, and the Magi into the big story God was telling. And it is promised by God himself that this same method will be used before time as we know it is swallowed up in eternity.
It seems to me that the lines between right and wrong are more visible today than ever for those who love God and God’s word. It’s becoming clearer what the truth is, and what lies are, and how they are tearing at the fabric of our lives and our nation and our world.
Although truth may be clearer, it might also be more frightening to speak about it because truth is less tolerated. But speaking truth from God is speaking prophetically – you don’t have to see an angel in a dream to do that, although it would certainly be nice.
My final word for 2021 is “remember,” remember those who came before us and their courage as God poured out his spirit in new ways. Remember God’s promise to pour out his spirit on us: “Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Take time to study and learn what that means for you, and I’ll be doing the same.
PRAYER: God, we need your Spirit every moment of every day – it’s always been true, but it feels more urgent today. We need to hear your truth from the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), and we need to speak clear, bold truth to a culture swimming in lies. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!
Dear Reader,
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ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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