When we read the book of Genesis, the Bible tells us:<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Also, when we read further, the Bible says:<\/p>\n
\u201cGod is Spirit\u201d (John 4:24).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Thus, in that verse, it is the same as saying, in the beginning,<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Spirit of God created the heavens and the earth.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Genesis 1:2 \u2013 \u201cNow the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Here we see that the Spirit of God worked twice in the creation of the universe. The first work was to create the heavens and the earth, and the second was to come and shape the earth again to fulfill a certain purpose God intended. That purpose is nothing other than to make the earth BEAR FRUIT, no longer remain in a state of emptiness. There is a reason why God left a space between the first creation of the world and the shaping again.<\/p>\n
But God briefly reveals this to teach us the principles of His workings. And this same principle God applies to anyone who gives their life to Christ today.<\/p>\n
The first step: when a person sincerely, from their heart, decides to give their life to Christ\u2014by repenting and leaving all their sins, and being baptized according to the proper Biblical method\u2014that person is like being created for the first time. The Spirit of God has worked to transform them into a tangible, real being. That person is sealed by the Holy Spirit as a legitimate possession of God. It is God\u2019s work ready for use. But the person is not yet fully complete before Him; they are compared to the earth created by the Holy Spirit, which was in a state of emptiness.<\/p>\n
The second step, when the Spirit of God comes upon the person to make them fruitful, is a different process from the first creation. This also applies to someone born again today. Remember, as the Bible says, the Holy Spirit is a promise to all who come to Him and receive Him:<\/p>\n
Acts 2:38 \u2013 \u201cPeter replied, \u2018Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u2019\u201d
\nActs 2:39 \u2013 \u201cThe promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off\u2014for all whom the Lord our God will call.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThis means that anyone who receives Jesus Christ with a determined heart to leave their sinful life and surrender to Him\u2014the same day, the Spirit of God enters to transform their life and make them a new creation. This does not require strength or time, but determination and obedience to all instructions that accompany faith.<\/p>\n
However, this does not mean that the Spirit of God comes upon the person fully at the moment of faith. That is another process.<\/p>\n
Reading the Bible, we see that our Lord Jesus Christ was filled with the Holy Spirit even while in His mother\u2019s womb, but the Spirit did not come fully upon Him until He reached 30 years old. Likewise, John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit in the womb, but the Spirit guided him publicly many years later. Similarly, the apostles of Jesus received the Holy Spirit after choosing to follow the Lord, leaving all evil ways, family ties, and worldly pursuits. They received the Spirit through baptism, which gave them the strength to endure all trials during their mission with the Lord. But the coming of the Spirit upon them did not happen immediately\u2014it took three and a half years.<\/p>\n
The reason is that the act of the Spirit coming upon a person must first be understood by the person; the Spirit does not come without purpose like the first creation. This comes with a specific purpose, and the person must first recognize that purpose, often requiring classes, prayer, and persistence.<\/p>\n
The goal is the same as when the Spirit hovered over the earth: to make it FRUITFUL and a place for human life.<\/p>\n
Thus, when the Spirit comes upon a believer after being fully prepared, He makes that person a vessel to bear more fruit and serve His people according to God\u2019s plans. This is why, after Jesus was anointed with the Spirit, He began to bring awakening to Israel and the whole world. Likewise, it was so with John the Baptist and the apostles on the day of Pentecost. The Spirit had anointed them to become fruitful vessels for God\u2019s purpose.<\/p>\n
Likewise, we must not be satisfied with where we are. Indeed, when we gave our lives to the Lord and were baptized properly, we were sealed with the Spirit, born of the Holy Spirit, and likened to the earth created by God in the beginning. But that is not enough. If we remain the same, we will continue in a state of EMPTINESS.<\/p>\n
We must now earnestly seek the Holy Spirit with all our strength, so that He brings life to His church through us, awakens the church, and removes the emptiness present in the world. Daily prayer and persistence are required.<\/p>\n
Remember, we are not asking for miracles and signs, but for transformation, as the apostles did when the Spirit came upon them. Even though they performed miracles before Pentecost, the Bible records no conversions until the Spirit came on the church, burning the hearts of people, bringing massive change:<\/p>\n
\u201c(More than 3,000 were saved in one day).\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This is the power of awakening we need today.<\/p>\n
Follow this testimony; it will teach us.<\/p>\n
EVAN ROBERTS
\nHe was born in Wales, Europe, in 1878. A famous preacher known for bringing a great revival in Wales in 1904\u20131905. Since childhood, he loved attending church and memorizing Bible verses. As a young man, he prayed persistently for over 11 years for revival in Wales. Eventually, God answered his prayers, and the Holy Spirit transformed many hearts. Within nine months, over 150,000 people repented and turned to God. The revival spread to nearby countries.<\/p>\nAll this was the result of Evan Roberts\u2019 persistent prayers. Likewise, we must not just claim the Holy Spirit for ourselves but pray for the church and others. God will bring revival through us if we are persistent.<\/p>\n
Jesus Himself said:<\/p>\n
Luke 11:5 \u2013 \u201cThen Jesus said to them, \u2018Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, \u2018Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,\u2019\u201d
\nLuke 11:6 \u2013 \u201cbecause a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.\u2019\u201d
\nLuke 11:7 \u2013 \u201cThen the one inside answers, \u2018Don\u2019t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can\u2019t get up and give you anything.\u2019\u201d
\nLuke 11:8 \u2013 \u201cI tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.\u201d
\nLuke 11:9 \u2013 \u201cSo I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.\u201d
\nLuke 11:10 \u2013 \u201cFor everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.\u201d
\nLuke 11:11 \u2013 \u201cWhich of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?\u201d
\nLuke 11:12 \u2013 \u201cIf you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nDo you see? These verses show that the Holy Spirit is not just a promise for believers, but must be asked for persistently, as Jesus prayed (Hebrews 5:7). He prayed earnestly, and when the Spirit came upon Him, He was anointed above all men in the world and became Jesus Christ. We see how this awakening brought great results even until today.<\/p>\n
It is therefore the duty of every Christian who loves their society and wants it saved to pray persistently for the Holy Spirit to bring revival and transformation. Just as the Father gives good gifts to children who ask, He will surely give the Holy Spirit to those who earnestly seek Him.<\/p>\n
Luke 18:7 \u2013 \u201cAnd shall not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?\u201d
\nLuke 18:8 \u2013 \u201cI tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nLet us all begin now to pray for people\u2019s salvation with all our energy. The Lord will hear and answer in His time.<\/p>\n
God bless you.<\/p>\n