04.18.06 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

I spent time in the book of Acts this week. The traditional "full-length" title of the book is "The Acts of the Apostles." A commentary has been produced on it recently suggesting a new title--"The Acts of the Holy Spirit." In reading through it this week, I would concur with such a re-naming.

As I began in the first couple of paragraphs...I began to highlight passages on the Holy Spirit. I found myself highlighting multiple times on every page. Some 50+times in the book the Spirit is mentioned. An integral part of the story He is...at nearly every turn.

As I evaluated my life in contradistinction to the prevalence in Acts, I realized I leave Him on the sidelines more often than not. The Spirit is certainly active in my life, yet I discount His work. Often-even while writing this email-He prompts me and I squelch His prompt.

One of the verses that compounds two of the things I've been learning (about Jesus & the Holy Spirit), I wanted to pass on to you :

The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.
Acts 9:31 NLT

An awesome reverence of Jesus and comfort/encouragement by the Holy Spirit were the things that built the church. May we recover this as well. A moment-by-moment relationship and obedience to our Savior and the Spirit.

"Letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." Romans 8:6b NLT
Join me in growing by Spirit-Control.

Press on,
Mike

to read the rest of this week's UPdate click HERE