Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. (Acts 3:19-20)

    The soft warm breezes sweep in and comfort us. The days are warmer and the sun’s light extends deeper into the day. Shoots of new growth break their way free from the moist soil and suddenly appear almost overnight on the long dead fingers of our trees. Blossoms burst into color. Birds sing. Rain falls. Life is renewed across the land. Ah! The gift of spring.

    Now if only spring could come to the cold world of the spiritually struggling — the weary world of broken hearts, the dried souls of the burned out, and the languishing love of the lukewarm.

    Is springtime of the Spirit possible? I mean REALLY possible, not just some church-hype thing to get people all juiced up? Something we can genuinely expect to happen in our world? Can God burst through the deadened fingers of despair and hard-packed soil of closed hearts?

    Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

    So why don’t we ask?

    Jesus’ brother James reminds us, “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:2-3)

    So why don’t we ask?

“You do not have, because you do not ask God.”

    When the early Church was facing a stern test with the threat of vicious persecution, they asked for boldness and received an outpouring of the Spirit to minister with courage and power. (Acts 4:30-31)

    So why don’t we ask?

    When Paul was worried about the spiritual vitality of the Christians in Asia Minor he prayed: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being...” (Ephesians 3:14-16)

    So this Spring let’s ask!

    Every time the blessing of spring pierces through the distractions of our lives and blesses us, let’s ask! Every time we have concern for Christians, the Church, or even ourselves, let’s ask! Let’s ask for a springtime of the Spirit.

    Let’s ask with unwavering hearts. Let’s ask without doubting. Let’s ask fully expecting God to send a time or renewal to parched hearts, drooping wills, languishing spirits, and troubled souls. And when we do, let’s expect God to do greater things by his Spirit within us than we can imagine!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Title: "Springtime of the Spirit"
Author: Phil Ware
Publication Date: April 2, 2001

Share with Others	Related Heartlight Resources
Print this Article Send it to a Friend Discuss	Seed Time Renewal