I am a firm believer that you get what you prepare for. If a gardener tills the soil and then plants watermelon seeds, he can expect to grow watermelons, right? You won’t expect to reap a harvest of carrots or squash. Watermelon seeds will always produce watermelons.
I was reminded this morning of a time when Vickie and I were children’s pastors and desired to “prepare” the “soil” and plant the “seeds” for a particular “produce” in our children’s ministry. We so desperately desired to see the gift promised by God to our children, the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:38-39). So, we began “planting the seeds” through teaching a series I wrote many years ago called “The Holy Spirit in You”. We taught each lesson with the understanding that the seed planted and cultivated would produce a big harvest at the final service of the series. We knew that if we planted Holy Spirit “seeds,” we could expect MANY boys and girls to be gloriously baptized in God’s Spirit.
Knowing that this might be new to some readers, let me share the stages of preparation with you.
Week #1 – The Great Promise – Luke 24:49
Jesus told of a promise made by His Father to all of Jesus’ followers. He would not leave them helpless but would send another Helper who would give them power from on high.
Week #2 – The Great Command – Acts 1:4
Receiving this Helper wasn’t an option. Jesus commanded His followers to stay in Jerusalem to receive the promise of the Father.
Week # 3 – The Great Infusion – Acts 2:4
There was no denying when the promise was fulfilled. The Day of Pentecost provided clear, undeniable proof of the infilling of God’s Spirit.
Week # 4 – The Great Change – Acts 1:8
Chickens? Cowards? Not after the Holy Spirit came. The case of “chickenitis” was removed when a Holy Spirit backbone was placed inside of each and every believer.
Week # 5 – The Great Question – Acts 19:2
What happened inside of the upper room wasn’t a one-time experience. Believers from that day until today have been asked, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?”
Week # 6 – The Great Expectation – Acts 2:4, Acts 1:8
From that Day of Pentecost forward, believers can expect to receive a language from heaven that will enable them to expect to change the world.
Week # 7 – The Great Benefits – Jude 20, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 14:2, Romans 8:26
Praying in the Spirit could be called Praying with Benefits! Why? Because when praying in our heavenly language, we build up our spirit, receive heaven’s power, confuse the devil, and pray great prayers that yield great results!
I was finished writing this post, created the header, and established the publish date and time when I felt an unction from the Holy Spirit to do something I hadn’t planned to do. The outline shared above might be all you need. Others would need an extra oomph and far more details. With that in mind, and in obedience to the Holy Spirit, I want to give “The Holy Spirit in You” curriculum to those who request it. To receive the free download link, simply email [email protected] and request the curriculum.
