"And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'" Acts 11:16, NAS95.

In Peter's explanation to the church in Jerusalem, he makes this wonderful statement. "I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say..." There are times in our lives when we have heard something from the Lord and when we look for it, it goes dormant. Some time down the road, we recognize that what is happening in or around our lives is a fulfillment of this word.

This can happen a number of ways. First, as we are reading our bible, often, the Lord will highlight a passage to us. This is one of the reasons I encourage everyone to keep a journal next to their bible. As I look back over thirty years of journals I have documented many word "fulfillments."

Second, sometimes, the Holy Spirit simply speaks seemingly out of the blue. In times of prayer or even just driving down the road, we will hear the Holy Spirit speak an encouragement. "I am working." "Don't fear." "Trust me in this." During those moments, we simply trust and move on.

Lastly, when we are struggling with some quality of the fruit of the Spirit or some  internal moral deficiency, we find after committing to His word that the Lord accomplishes an amazing transformation. 

The one thing these all have in common is a season of dormancy. Just like the fruit trees in my winter yard, they look dead but are ready to burst forth. So too, the word that the Lord speaks is preparing itself for fruition.

We are encouraged often to take heart, trust, wait, and not to fear in the bible. The words that the Lord speaks are coming into their season. When you see it, you will be as Peter remembering "this is what the Lord said." 

Have a wonderful day.  

Tuesday

Love, 
Pastor Stuart