Episode Transcript
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
"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.”
CONSIDER THIS
Today, our Holy Spirit story comes from another longtime friend from my neck of the woods, Mary Wilkerson. She was prompted to send it in response to the entry earlier this month featuring Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
You will remember how we shifted our focus from our quest to know "the plans" to a focus on "I know" and our relationship to the one who knows the plans. You will see the connection in her remembered story.
Below, you will read the story in her words, and, if you listen, you will hear it in her own voice.
As a young teenager, my mom went to church with friends. She had never experienced church such as this. The church had an open testimony service where anyone could stand and give their testimony. One of Mom’s friends stood with such excitement and said, “I thank God that I know, that I know, that I know that I have been born again!”
My mom didn’t understand it, but in her heart, she said, “I want that.” When my grandfather found out she had been to that brush harbor meeting, she was reprimanded and told she was not allowed to go back. She carried those words in her heart for many years, and one day received Jesus as her Savior.
After this wonderful event, she found herself in her first occasion to testify of her experience of receiving Jesus into her heart. Without thinking of what she would say, she leaped from her seat and said, "I thank God that I know, that I know, that I know that I have been born again!"
My mom had received with joy and assurance the one who says, “I know.” The hope of “I know” had been planted to grow to be replanted into countless lives and to be present until she passed from this life at the age of 94.
I am so glad that I know, that I know, that I know the one who still says “I know”! We may not understand circumstances in our lives, but we can take refuge in knowing the “I Am” that says "I know.” Praise his holy name.
THE PRAYER
Father, thank you first for being the God who knows. Second, thank you for being a God who wants to know us. And, third, thank you for being a God who wants us to know you. Thank you for wanting us to be deeply assured in our relationship with you. Would you grow our assurance, and my assurance, in knowing you? Give me not only the confidence but the exuberance to say, as we heard today, "Thank you that I know, that I know, that I know that I have been born again!" Bless Mary and thank you for reminding her of this powerful story of her mother and thank you for this heritage in the faith. Praying in Jesus's name, amen.
THE JOURNAL PROMPTS
So how about you? Do you know that you know that you know you are born again? Would you like to? Ask Jesus to give you the experience of this kind of assurance through the Holy Spirit indwelling you. And be ready to testify.
