Get that fire.

Last week we talked about how we need to come into agreement with the word of God. Sometimes it is difficult to see where we are not coming in agreement with God’s word, which is why God is all about community. God wants us to be in the church, because sometimes you need someone to tell you, “Oh you’ve got something in your teeth.” Or “You’ve got some fluff in your hair”. We need people.

What happens in a good Bible based church is that you are taught the word of God. Then Holy Spirit begins to tap us on the shoulder like this part is for you. God will open our eyes to see where we have missed the mark and give us grace to grow and mature in Christ. We can never outgrow the word of God, so we can never outgrow church. Don’t know why I am talking about this now but there it is, lol.

Now another way we can come in agreement with God and His word is by praying in the Spirit or praying in tongues. To get to that, we have to take a few steps back. First comes salvation, we believe in our hearts and declare with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, Romans 10:9. Second, comes water baptism. Then third comes baptism in the Holy Spirit, or baptism by fire. God can switch around the baptisms but generally salvation is always first.

Matthew 3:11 says, and this is John the Baptist speaking, “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone [Jesus] is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

In Acts 2:3-4 speaking of the day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit it says, “Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them. They were all filled and equipped with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in tongues—empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned!”

We have been talking about how Holy Spirit is powerful. As believers, God wants to fill us with power. Isn’t that crazy? God does not want us weak and defeated, He wants to fill and equip us to win and to overcome in life. Yes, that thing I went through may have been traumatic, but I am not a victim, I am a more than a conqueror. Yes, that person hurt me, but I refuse to stay stuck in life. I choose to forgive, let go and move on ahead with God. Holy Spirit is the power working in us enabling us to do what God’s word says.

In our strength it is much easier to hold a grudge and seek revenge than it is to forgive and pray for your enemies. Holy Spirit says, if you just decide to do it, I will empower you to walk it out. If you decide that today is the day you want to turn your life around and start living for God, Holy Spirit will empower you to walk it out. You just gotta have a made-up mind if you want to see just how powerful God is.

There are some things that I never thought I could break free from, but the day I decided, “No more!” Holy Spirit stepped in and no more, was no more. Yes, I had to submit to the process of renovations, changing how I think, but Holy Spirit brought the power to sustain a decision I made to walk according to God’s word. You need some demon crushing, chain breaking power working in your life? You need Holy Spirit. There is a reason why Jesus told the disciples, don’t go out there in the world before you receive power, Luke 24:49. We need Holy Spirit to survive out on these streets. We need the baptism by fire.

Baptism by fire did not stop at Pentecost. It is still happening today, and I am a witness to that! God is not a respecter of persons. Holy Spirit has not been set aside for “special” people. We are all equally important and equally valuable and valued by God. He does not say, “You get, Me and ewww, no you don’t get Me.” Nope. Holy Spirit did not tip toe into the room at Pentecost and tap His “favourites” on the shoulder like I’m gonna fill and empower you! Nope. Holy Spirit came in bold and loud and filled and equipped every single person who was in that room. Everyone.

Holy Spirit is for everyone, including you. So next time you go to a church service where they are praying for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit, get in there, go get filled! You watch a service online where it is happening, reach out your hand, touch the screen and say, “me too Jesus!” Watch what God will do.

Love and blessings,

Melissa Tsingano.