Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

14 June 2025

Reading From Acts 1

“On one occasion, while he 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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized withthe Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But 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.”

—Acts 1:4-8

     This directive to wait in Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit came after the experience at the end of the book of John when Jesus breathed upon them and said, “receive the Holy Spirit.”  In Genesis when God created Adam, He breathed life into him and he became a living being.  With sin came spiritual and physical death but with Jesus came life abundant and eternal.  The Lord breathed upon His followers and they received new life; they were born again. 

     The new birth brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but this is the beginning of a journey of discovery and growth that will last into eternity.  Jesus gave us the Great Commandment and the Great Commission to love and make disciples in our communities, regions, among those who are not like us and take the Good News around the world.  We need the power and passion of an overflow of the Spirit in order to accomplish the wonderful work that Jesus gave us to do.

     When a cup is filled to the brim with water, all the way until the meniscus is above the brim, so it is with a child of God when he or she is made a temple of the Spirit.  They have the Spirit, but there is more to life with the Lord.  More He wants to bless us with.  More inspiration, more revelation, more love, more power, more passion.  When we seek the Giver of the gifts and all that He has for us, He is faithful to baptize us with His Holy Spirit and our cup runs over, washing over the sides and splashing the places and people around us with His goodness and grace.

“Lord, we need the power and passion of Your Holy Spirit if we are to win the world for You.  We want to see everyone experience the love and mercy and grace and power that You have available to whosoever would believe and receive.  Make us one with You by Your blood and empower us to do Your will upon the Earth, building Your Kingdom and giving You all the praise and glory in the Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.”

Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Omnipotent Father of Mercy and Grace
Thou art welcome in this place

Lord in Thy presence there’s healing divine
No other power can save Lord, but Thine
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Thou art welcome in this place

Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Omnipotent Father of Mercy and Grace
Thou art welcome in this place

Fill all the hungry and empty within
Restore us, oh Father revive us again
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place

—Dottie Rambo

“I baptize 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 baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

—Matthew 3:11-12