INCUBATION TODAY (11-08-2017)

INCUBATION TODAY (BRO EMMA OKORIE)

FRIDAY 11TH AUGUST, 2017

TOPIC: GIVE HEED TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Meditation:
"And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” (Acts 8:6)

Today’s Text Acts 8:1-8
 

Scripture counsels us to desire spiritual gifts and this we should not go about the wrong way. As we desire and serve God, the gifts will logically manifest as we minister. Miracles, signs and wonders are servants of vision. Philip was among the seven who were chosen and characterised as men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, appointed over administrative matters. Before this, Philip was just a Holy Ghost filled brother enjoying the work of ministry in the local church. Going to Samaria, following persecution and dispersion of the disciples, Philip preached the gospel and many believed and were healed.

The key thing about Philip was that he was full of the Holy Ghost, wisdom and of honest report. He was not looking for supernatural gifts of the Holy Ghost before he went to preach but the fullness of the Holy Spirit manifested as he positioned himself to preach Christ. As he enjoyed the person of the Holy Ghost and went out to preach, signs and wonders affirmed his words. He did not go pursuing gifts but enjoyed the person and assignment of God.

In Mark 16:17-18, we find basic manifestations of the spirit that should accompany every believer. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” The basic difference is that there are levels of manifestations of these gifts. Gifts of the spirit will manifest in the face of challenges when we do the works of God and all we do is to open up and give expression to it.

As long as Philip remained in Jerusalem, the gifts of the Holy Spirit remained dormant. He did not even know they were there until he stepped out into the field. This is a lesson for all of us. It is time to leave our comfort zones and move into the field where the harvest is ripe. When we are idle, not doing any work, there are no avenues for the gifts to manifest. Pray for the zeal and wisdom to step forward to do Kingdom work and God will supply the gifts.

 

Prayer:
Ask the Lord for the manifestations of the gift of the spirit.

 

Confession:
Lord, I receive fresh baptism of the Holy Ghost and accompanying gifts to accomplish exploits for the kingdom.

 

Further Study:

1 Corinthians 14:12
"Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”

 

Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

 

Ezekiel 36:27
“And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

 

John 14:17
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

 

Romans 8:9
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

 

1 John 2:27
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”