"Extreme" has become the latest catch phrase. Channel surfing boasts of every imaginable extreme sport from skiing to rock climbing. You need some pretty extreme TV viewing in order to watch all that coverage.
Are you tired of watching everyone else go for the gusto? Are ready to live your own life to the extreme? Then it's time to trash your TV remote control and open your Bible to witness some amazing adventures!
The Book of Acts reveals the apostle Paul's finest power preaching. Paul never knew what to expect when he spread the Good News; one minute the crowd adored him and in the next breathe a riot was roaring through the city. Either Paul was running for his life or begging the crowd not to worship him as a god. Despite these unpredictable reactions, Paul never watered down God's word; his preaching hit right between the eyes.
Paul seemed to thrive on the adrenaline rush of shouting God's message from every temple, doorstep or rooftop. In fact, Paul was a walking advertisement: this life and message was brought to you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What are you advertising? Is defeat, discouragement and disillusion your personal calling card? We can't live life in our own strength - we are too fickle and moody. We can be summed up in one word: HUMAN! We mere mortals need a daily quenching of the Holy Spirit. To be filled daily with the Holy Spirit is akin to eating three square meals a day; both are necessary to fuel your body, mind and spirit.
Ephesians 1:18 lays down the gauntlet: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (II Tim 1:7).
Talk about extreme! Nothing on earth compares to the power Jesus wants to bestow upon us. He gave us the Holy Spirit so our lives virtually overflow with hope and strength, regardless of our circumstances.
So what are you waiting for? Take your daily dose of the Holy Spirit and dive into God's word. Spend time talking and listening to Jesus; no one likes a one-sided conversation.
These spiritual exercises will energize your life with inner strength, wisdom and direction. Live the missionary adventures of Paul. By the power of the Holy Spirit you can live on the offense, without being offensive. There's nothing like getting your "Acts" together!
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Copyright 2002 by Charlene Friesen