Acts 1:4,8 – On one occasion, while [Jesus] was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (NIV)

During the long winter months when we had so much snow here in northern Canada that we were forced to stay indoors most of the time, my four-year-old granddaughter decided that we should do science experiments. Once she had decided on this idea, she ran and grabbed my iPad so that I could google science projects — which, of course, I did, as I have learned that resistance is futile.

Among the many projects that we have successfully completed were using baking soda and vinegar to erupt volcanoes, to blow up balloons, and to hatch dinosaur eggs. Through these experiments, Ade has learned that when you mix baking soda and vinegar, you get an amazing chemical reaction.

Likewise, on this Day of Pentecost, let us be reminded anew that mixing the Holy Spirit within God's people also produces an amazing type of reaction. For the Spirit of Christ within us is able to empower us to be His witnesses wherever we are, even to the ends of the earth.

Wow! What a spectacular thought and truth! As individuals, we often feel that we have so little to offer God that can really make a difference for His kingdom in our world. After all, what can one little person or even one little congregation do to impact our present-day world with all its mega-problems? Yet, just like baking soda or vinegar cannot, by themselves, make an erupting volcano, or blow up a balloon, or make dinosaur eggs hatch, when they are mixed together, bam! — the impossible becomes possible.

So it is when we allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives, by listening to that still, quiet voice within that lines up with the principles of Scripture and brings us peace. For when we do, great things happen. Even though we might not always see the results, we can trust that God is at work to bring glory to His kingdom. For when we listen to and obey the Spirit's voice, we are being a witness for Christ within our world, and no one but God knows just how far that influence will travel.

So today, let's choose to listen and expect to hear the Spirit's voice within. Then, by faith, let's obey what He is telling us to do: write a note to a friend, donate finances where needed, smile and be friendly, speak a word of encouragement, forgive as necessary, memorize a Scripture verse, or sit with a sick or dying friend. The list is endless, but so also are the results of this amazing chemistry that occurs between God's Spirit and ours.

Prayer: Father God, thank You so much for the gift of Your Holy Spirit within us. Give us ears to hear and know His voice of prompting, and faith to act upon it, that we may be empowered to be Your witnesses wherever we are, even to the ends of the earth. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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