“I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11 NIV
God of the impossible,
I recently heard someone say that starting their new job was like a baptism of fire! They had to learn quickly in a new, unknown situation. A baptism of fire was promised by John the Baptist. Then we read about it happening at Pentecost (Acts 2 :1-4). For many today it is just a bank holiday week-end 6 weeks after Easter!
For us, the church, it is a reminder of the beginning of the Christian church empowered by the power of God. A people harvest time, not a time to bring goods in for the food bank. Which is what many of us will be doing at this harvest time.
Harvest time we give thanks and remember the provision of our food. But it is good to remember You poured out Your promised Holy Spirit. It was dramatic. He feeds our soul and empowers us. Jesus no longer limited to where He could walk physically, and available to the whosoever. Now all believers can have Your life, power and divine inspiration. You plough the seeds and scatter the good seed in our hearts.
Thank you that You give the growth. Help us sow the seeds of the gospel in a still idolatrous society. We may not have felt that baptism of fire when we found You. It may have been a quiet realization. No matter! We are still empowered keep us faithful.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of the impossible,
For our close family. Your love showing the way.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations.
Those we have been asked to pray for by church or friends.
For our king and all those in authority and Parliament (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal reconciliations.
For Ukraine and Russia.
For Gaza, all around the Middle East.
We long to see a way for peace for both areas. Deal with the stubbornness and sin.
For our farmers, market gardeners, gardeners and allotment growers.
For dry weather for those still needing to get crops in.
For those who need some sunshine, hope and provision in their lives.
For Christian charities who help those with addiction and mental health. For AA.
For us to give thanks for autumn showers. Even though we are heading into autumn and then winter, help our hearts to be bright and full of thanksgiving.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 26th September 2024
The story and history of this old redemption hymn is below the lyrics.
They were gathered in an upper chamber,
as commanded by the risen Lord,
and the promise of the Father
there they sought with one accord,
when the Holy Ghost from heaven descended
like a rushing wind and tongues of fire:
so dear Lord, we seek Thy blessing,
come with glory now our hearts inspire.
Let the fire fall, let the fire fall,
let the fire from heaven fall;
we are waiting and expecting,
now in faith, dear Lord, we call;
let the fire fall, let the fire fall,
on Thy promise we depend;
from the glory of Thy presence
let the Pentecostal fire descend.
As Elijah we would raise the altar
for our testimony clear and true,
Christ the Saviour, loving Healer,
coming Lord, Baptizer too,
ever flowing grace and full salvation,
for a ruined race Thy love has planned;
for this blessed revelation,
for Thy written word we dare to stand.
‘This the covenanted promise given
to as many as the Lord shall call,
to the fathers and their children,
to Thy people, one and all;
so rejoicing in Thy word unfailing,
we draw nigh in faith Thy power to know –
come, O come, Thou burning Spirit,
set our hearts with heavenly fire aglow.
With a living coal from off Thy altar
touch our lips to swell Thy wondrous praise,
to extol Thee, bless, adore Thee,
and our songs of worship raise;
let the cloud of glory now descending
fill our hearts with holy ecstasy,
come in all Thy glorious fullness,
blessed Holy Spirit, have Thy way.
Lyrics: Harry Tee
The test of true revival is that the fruit will be seen in individual lives which will then have a marked effect upon the community. One such true revival was that in Kilsyth, Scotland, beginning in 1908 where the writer of this hymn, Harry Tee, was the leading elder of the church from 1922 until his death in 1959. Harry and the church there in Kilsyth, experienced a true ‘upper chamber’ revival. For 9 months, meetings were held every night as folk gathered in and around the church. Crowds spilled out on to the streets and on to the church roof (!) which made Kilsyth something of a ‘Pentecostal spectacle’.
True to real revival, hundreds of lives were radically changed and signs followed. Some of the worst characters in the community were saved. One infamous man who had had to be restrained with rope, held by no less than FIVE policemen, was transformed instantly when he was born-again and filled with the Spirit. A lady who was ill with diphtheria and had lost her hearing and speech, was instantly healed when hands were laid on her. The town which was built mostly on mining was filled with rough, hard-working men whose hearts were touched and changed. This then affected the homes and children, and it was not uncommon to hear and see children earnestly seeking the Lord, speaking in tongues and even being used of God to bring sobering prophecies. Beyond the little Scottish town of Kilsyth, this outpouring affected nations and continents as, as with any true revival, a missionary zeal burned in hearts. When Harry Tee wrote the words and music to this revival hymn, he was both describing what happened in the Book of Acts as well as what happened in Kilsyth.