Tuesday 21, July 2026

If we could receive one gift from God right now, what would it be? Would we feel comfortable asking God for the gift without being prompted? Let’s reflect on these questions as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat

If we could receive one gift from God right now, what would it be? Would we feel comfortable asking God for the gift without being prompted? Let’s reflect on these questions as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Acts 4:30 CEVDCI

[30] Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus.

God’s Mighty Power

The ‘battle’ began because God’s mighty power was demonstrated. Yet the believers were blithely requesting a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit. I guess they would qualify as Tommy Tenney’s God-chasers, for they wanted more of God’s Spirit despite the potential cost. Given that they had also prayed for bravery, it is safe to assume that they had counted the cost.

Self-Check

Do we see full-time ministry and the manifestation of spiritual gifts as worthwhile if it makes us targets?

Application

Many of us see spiritual gifts as a mark of prestige or as something that only evangelicals do. Yet, it seems that the believers regarded it as a sign of God’s anointing on their lives. For them, it was integral to being sent by God. One reason could be that there weren’t many miracles manifested in the Jewish tradition, so this was a distinguishing feature of their ministry. Y’shua’s ministry was renowned for signs and wonders in every place He visited. It is feasible that they wished to be recognised as His disciples.

Those are valid reasons to request the gift of signs and wonders. It is also notable that those believers were asking God for a show of God’s mighty power. It could be that these were not the ones who had received the anointing of fire on Pentecost. If so, they would have been among the ones who converted afterwards as per Acts 2:42 onwards. It says to me that we should also be requesting more manifestations of God’s Spirit in our congregations.

Of course, we realise that this doesn’t come without complications – that’s almost a given: complications or persecution. But, perhaps Christ is calling us out of complacency into demonstrable manifestations of Christ’s presence and power in our ministries. Not for vainglorious motives, but strictly for God’s glory.

This takes us full circle. If we were to ask God’s Spirit to be visible in our lives and worship spaces, what gifts, signs and miracles would we ask God for and why?

Point to Ponder

1 Corinthians 14:12 tells us that the gifts of God’s Spirit are to edify, build up, strengthen, and unify the body of Christ. As we invite God’s Spirit to work through us, may we be open to using God’s gifts for the growth and development of God’s elect.

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May all we seek be found in Christ