TEN DAYS TO PENTECOST - by Rev. Robert J. Smith
83 pages

GETTING STARTED

Introduction

This booklet has been prepared to assist us in preparing our hearts for a fresh outpouring of Pentecostal experiences.  Each day of preparation involves a specific focus and teaching, scriptures pertaining to the focus, 10 steps to releasing the supernatural, reflection time and a suggested prayer that you can pray.  There are often obstacles that hinder the supernatural being released and this will be addressed in the 10 steps to releasing the supernatural section.  As we work through the 10 days of personal preparation, it is my prayer that we will close the door to things which will limit the work of God, and open the door to fully receive all that the Lord has for us.

 

The presence and power of the Holy Spirit visited the New Testament believers on Pentecost with a mighty outpouring.  Men and women gathered together and tarried until they were in “one accord”.  It seems today, that the unity of the church (which was the prayer of Jesus in John 17:23), is one prayer that has not been fulfilled.  When unity settles in the hearts of God’s people the spiritual outpouring of faith and power increases.  Renewals throughout the world have lost their focus through disunity.  This disunity is often birthed through ‘false revelation expressions’.  False prophetic revelations only bring division in the church and not the expansion of what God wants to do.

 

One of the results of the Azusa Street Revival was the erasing of racial divisions and the color line within the revival was washed away under the blood.  There is something about racial division that God hates, and something about unity that God loves.

 

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, the believers were all together in one accord and the Holy Spirit was poured out.  There was a gathering of Jews and converts to Judaism in Jerusalem.  These men were from different nations and spoke different languages—they were from Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judaea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Rome, Crete and Arabia.  The Bible says that when they heard the sound from heaven (a signal), they heard the disciples speaking in tongues and they crowded together in bewilderment, “and how is it that we hear each in our own language” (Acts 2:8).  When the Holy Spirit was poured out, a gathering of people from all sorts of different cultures witnessed the sound, the tongues and the flame of fire on their heads.  Though they were one in their Jewish background, they were born from different nations, speaking different languages and now gathered in Jerusalem.  True Christians today are all one in Christ, even though they may be born in a different homeland and speak a different native language, but like the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit draws us all together.

 

The church that Jesus Christ is coming back for is a glorious church without spot or wrinkle.  It is a church that is flowing in His supernatural power.  At Pentecost this year, may we come together with unity in the body of Christ and tarry in His presence.  As we pursue all God has for us, let us open our hearts to receive the fullness of His Holy Spirit and supernatural empowerment for all He has for us to do to fulfill His will.

 

Sincerely in His love,

Robert Smith

 

London Gospel Temple

www.lgt.org

 

DAY ONE

Humble Ourselves

In 1 Peter 5:6 we are told to “humble ourselves”.  We have a choice that we must make time and again.  As we study what we must do to humble ourselves, it is evident that it doesn’t just happen.  Whether we are one or five talented Christians, the call is the same to all.  The Lord will allow situations to cross our path where our humility will be tested.  May we prove to be faithful with Biblical humility.

How Do We Humble Ourselves?

Repent.  Identify anything you might value above your relationship with the Lord.  Acknowledge your sins without making excuses for them and turn from all sins trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome.

Grant/Receive Forgiveness.  Jesus, being perfect, still humbled Himself and forgave us, so you must grant forgiveness to others as well.  There is also a humility involved in receiving forgiveness from God.  Humble yourself to admit, ask and fully receive.

Esteem Others Above Ourselves.  “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

Ask God.  “Lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5), but ask God about issues and decisions rather than proceeding based only on human knowledge (ask God for a word of knowledge over situations you are praying about).

Be Willing to Respond.  God may ask you to kneel, bow, remove shoes, lift holy hands, dance etc.  We must be willing to humble ourselves and respond with obedience to what He asks us to do

Commit to Obey.  Decide to do what God tells you through the Bible or by His Holy Spirit, like dipping seven times in the Jordan to cure leprosy (2 Kings 5:14).

Submit to Authority Structures.  Romans 13:1 “…for there is no authority except that which God has established.”  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Submit to the various spheres of authority structures which God has established in your life.  These include parents, spouse, pastors, church leaders, government etc. (See Colossians 3:20; Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:18; Ephesians. 5:21, 24; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 2:13-15; Exodus 4:18).

Empty Yourself.  Put your heart’s desire into God’s hands and be willing to put aside your self will, desires, dreams, and ambitions in whatever area the Lord may ask.  Remember that you are not your own but were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19).  Jesus submitted to the will of God in the Garden of Gethsemane which then released empowerment within Him to face the cross.  Our submission to the will of God is critical to His empowering us to do His will.

Today’s Scriptures

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6 NIV).

 

“But on this one will I look:  On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2).

 

 “… if my people … will humble themselves” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

 

“‘…because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God … I also have heard you,’ declares the Lord”        (2 Chronicles 34:27).

 

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

 

“He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly” (Luke 1:51-52).

 

10 steps to releasing the SUPERNATURAL

Have An Acceptance of Biblical Grace

Miracles are released when we accept God’s grace rather than man’s failings.  How many times have believers said “God won’t heal me, I’m not worthy”.  Jesus never refused to heal anyone, no matter how ‘bad’ they were.  Over my years of ministry I have prayed for numerous people to receive God’s healing and have never tried to determine their worthiness for receiving it.  It is God’s gift by grace and He touches us because of Jesus and not our worthiness.  It takes a humble heart to receive the grace of God.

Our righteousness does not move God’s hand of healing.  It is all a free gift of God’s love.  Jesus died for sinners and He heals sinners today.  Accept what Jesus has done for you and step out in faith to receive.  Jesus healed the 10 lepers and only one said thanks… be thankful for all He has done for you.

 

reflections

To help you measure the humility that your life expresses, take these four steps:

1.             Identify the three most difficult people you deal with in life by name.

2.             Make a scale.  List these three people and for each person, scale your attitude towards them across the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

3.             Measure your life fruit by how you have treated each of the three difficult individuals on this scale.

4.             How do you pray for them?    Blessing?       Judgment?

 

Fruit of the Spirit	Person 1	Person 2	Person 3
Love	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5
Joy	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5
Peace	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5
Patience	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5
Kindness	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5
Goodness	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5
Faithfulness	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5
Gentleness	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5
Self-Control	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5	1   2   3   4   5

 

Prayer For Today

Oh that I may decrease, that You may increase.  Father, You give grace to the humble and so I humble myself under Your mighty hand and receive Your grace today.  In humility, there is the total absence of pride, and so I renounce pride and arrogance and yield to Your Holy Spirit.

I humbly ask that You would make me a servant, willing to take the lowliest un-preferred seat for Your kingdom and Your glory.

Once and for all I cast all my cares, anxieties, worries, and concerns for the future on You, for You care for me and work all things out for the good of those who love You.  Father, I refuse to be wise in my own eyes and lean on my own understanding, but I humbly acknowledge that I fall short in my knowledge of life and fall short in always making the right decisions.  I ask for Your guidance, knowledge, strength and power to do what is right and live a life that is pleasing to You.

I choose to submit myself to Your Word as it exposes and sifts through my thoughts and the purposes of my heart.  With all lowliness and long suffering, I forbear with others and forgive whatever wrong doings they may have done against me.  I thank You for Your grace and the power of the Holy Spirit and I choose to walk in the Spirit all the days of my life.  Please speak to me about being humble and walking with You today.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.