Get into the Ring for Christ

At the worship services a couple of weeks ago, I challenged each of us to get into the ring for Christ.  So, how did it go for you over the past couple weeks?  Did you get in the ring and pull out all the stops?  Did you have an expectancy that God would show up and give you the holy boldness you needed? 

Many people on that Thursday night and Sunday morning came up to me after the services with many questions about the Holy Spirit.  How do I get filled?  How does the Holy Spirit work?  How can I have the boldness of Peter in my life and faith?  Some mentioned the services this week were so wonderful and so filled with the Spirit.  Yes, that weekend’s services were pretty lively.  There were the children’s’ choirs, the adult choirs, and of course, a crazy pastor running down the aisle to the theme song from Rocky with big red boxing gloves on challenging you to get in the ring for Christ!  I must admit, all of those special things did add to the service, but as worshippers of Jesus Christ, we should come each Sunday with an expectant attitude.  We should expect God to show up, not be surprised that He did! 

God is here every Sunday, but sometimes we may come to worship with a vast array of other things on our minds that clutter our experiencing Him.  However, if we come each week and put those things aside and focus on God during worship, we will experience God!  God is always “in the house!”  It’s not about feelings, it’s about our hearts.  Our hearts need to be open.  Moving those 16 inches from our heads to our hearts makes all the difference.

Peter was changed by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and he was never the same!  He knew God was with Him and that God was directing His path.  He knew that God would show up!  He didn’t doubt that for a second while he and John stood before the Sanhedrin after their arrest for preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ.  The holy boldness they had came from the Holy Spirit.

Just like Rocky, a fighter who was past his prime, who was a lost cause, he goes on to victory, beating the more talented opponent in the original Rocky movie.  We too are like Rocky.  We are all lost causes, but through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit we can also become like Peter and John.  All we need to do is get on our knees and pray, believe and receive God’s power in our lives! 

So, if you have not yet given it a shot, try to get into the ring for Christ and see how He shows up!  I guarantee you He will show up!  Get ready!

Here’s an older worship song that reminds us of God’s amazing presence!

To God be the Glory!

Pastor Carol