February 21st, 2024

How to Grow in the Power and Fire of the Holy Spirit  
​I’ve been reading Acts, and it’s remarkable the great power released through the apostles and any other believer when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. So I’ve been thinking, “Lord, how can we increase, because Your promise to them is the same as a promise to us. And in Acts 1:8, Jesus said, ‘You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes,’ and in Luke 24:49, He said, ‘You will be clothed with power from on high.’”

So, how do we increase in the power of the Holy Spirit and the fire of God? After all, Jesus Himself said, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt. 3:11).

When I asked the Lord about this, I immediately was drawn to Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 9:3, God is described as a consuming fire who will go before them so they can easily destroy the enemy. In Deuteronomy 11:13–17, Moses tells them they must love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and mind. If they don’t do that, then He won’t give them rain, the crops won’t grow, and they won’t prosper. God wants it to be easy for them because of the rain.

As we know, rain is a symbol of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, and Moses clearly tells them if you love the Lord wholly, God will give you the rain. In Deuteronomy 11:22–25, Moses goes on to say the enemy can’t stand before you, and that everywhere your feet tread shall be given to you. This is because of the fire of God, but the principal is the same—love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

So how do we increase in Holy Spirit in power and fire? Simple. Set your heart on loving the Lord more and more.

Here are two simple steps. First, spend time with him. In Psalm 27:4, David says what he longs for the most is to dwell in the Lord’s presence—so spend time with Him. If you love someone, you want to be with them. Spend time in His presence.

Second, ask and inquire of Him. Again, that’s what David said in Psalm 27:4. He said he wanted to behold the beauty of the Lord and inquire of Him. Begin asking the Lord questions. Ask him about things in your life. Ask him to give you revelation and insight, and He will.

We are now in the time of great harvest, and this is very true in Oklahoma. We need more of the Holy Spirit’s power and fire so the enemy can’t thwart us or hinder us. That everywhere our feet tread, the Lord would give to us—and that as we share the Good News, there will be many signs and wonders.

God Bless.