October 21 - Partnering with the Holy Spirit

 Read today’s texts first: Job 9,10; Acts 13,14

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The Holy Spirit is called “the Paraclete,” or “one
who walks alongside us”- that is partnership!

I’m sure there would be some who would dispute what I said yesterday about how we can partner with God through prayer.  Surely our sovereign God needs no help from us!  While that is true, He often chooses to work through His church, and much of what He wants to do through us starts with prayer.

We see a clear example of that in our readings today.  Job is still trying to figure out how man and God can work together: for He is not a man as I am, that I might answer Him, that we should come to trial together (9:32).  But after Jesus becomes our “arbiter” (advocate, lawyer) (9:33) and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts, everything changes!

In our Acts readings we see the beginnings of Paul’s missions trips.  We read how the church in Antioch came together for fasting and prayer, heard from God that they should commission Paul and Barnabas, laid their hands on them, and sent them out on their first missionary journey (13:1-3).  The next verse says “so, being sent out by the Holy Spirit...”(4).  To me, that sounds like clear evidence that when we get it right, we act on behalf of the Holy Spirit.  That’s partnership, and it starts with prayer (and sometimes fasting).

Recently, Jan and I enjoyed lunch with a dear couple from our church.  They shared more of their incredible testimony with us, especially the part where God restored their two wayward daughters back to them and to God.  Their beautiful girls were living on the streets and their numerous unsuccessful attempts to help them find their way home left them feeling helpless. 

What changed was the prophetic encouragement of two other believers who offered to join them in prayer for an hour every morning for 40 days.  On the 40^th day, God showed up in their crack shack, their spiritual eyes were opened to what they were doing, and they made a mad dash for home, where their parents were waiting for them with wide open arms.  Coincidence – I don’t think so!  To look at them now and see what they are doing in leading others to Jesus, there is simply no denying – prayer works!

“Lord, show me how I can partner with Your Holy Spirit today!”