Creating Space

It's essential to prepare your surroundings for the 21 Day Fast. A clean, organized space can significantly impact your mindset and success.

Tips for Preparation

• Remove tempting foods and distractions from your kitchen.

• Stock up on nourishing ingredients to support your fast.

• Set aside a peaceful corner for reflection or prayer.

An intentional environment helps you fully embrace each day's practice. Remember, we replace our hunger for food with hunger for the Word of God.

Day 2 - Devotional

Evidence of the Baptism of the Spirit

Part 1 of 3: How will you know when you are baptized in the Spirit

We can ask Jesus for a baptism of His Spirit, but how will we know if we have received the gift?  There are three significant evidentiary ways which we can know: Bold Witness, Power, and Prophecy.  Today, we will look at Bold Witness. 

Witness With Boldness

In Acts 1:8, Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power and be my witness.  One thing is clear.  There is power to witness.  We are not told that we will be weak witnesses.  We are not told we are going to have a half-powerful testimony.  Jesus says, "We will receive power to witness.  When reading Acts, note the change in the apostles' demeanor.  For example, Peter, before Pentecost, backed down to a servant girl (Luke 22:54-57).  Peter's cowardice occurred twice more.  Yet after he received Power, filled with the Spirit, he preached boldly even at the risk of his own life, as seen in Acts 4:1-14.  

Something happened to Peter.  He was not the same after he was baptized with the Spirit.  Peter now stood up to the same people, with boldness, who crucified Jesus. “Vs 8 Then Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, " Leaders of the people and elders, are we being examined today because something good was done for a sick person, a good deed that healed him?  If so, then you and all the people of Israel need to know that this man stands healthy before you because of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.  This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone!  Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.”  

Wow, can you sense the boldness?  “The Jesus that you rejected is the cornerstone, the salvation.” No mincing words there.  

In their boldness was a weightiness to their words.  “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Are people taking note of you that you have been with Jesus?  Mind you, Peter was with Jesus when he was acting cowardly.  However, since he was baptized with the Spirit of God, he now carries weight in his words despite being unschooled; the boldness of Christ inspires him to stand for truth in power.  

My friends, may we have no more weak theological arguments about Jesus to others.  May we merely seek the presence of Jesus today, ask for a fresh baptism of His Spirit, that many will know we have spent time in his presence.  May our words be weighty and our hearts be bold through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit today. 

Let the rivers of living water carry you, and do not push the water; let His living water propel you forward today.  Lord bless you all today.  

Meditation Questions: 

1. Lord, show me if there is anything wicked in me that I may lay down today.

2. What difference do you see in Peter before and after he was baptized in the Spirit?

3. Are there areas in my life where I have gained boldness by a baptism of the Spirit?

4. What areas has the Holy Spirit not baptized in my life that I see timidity, weakness, lack of power to witness? 

Meditative Passage: 

• Acts 1:1-11