Acts 2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.

 

For the past two days, we have been discussing the Words the Lord spoke to me 15 years ago when He said, Create an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can work in the lives of those who come. There are three parts to this Command the Lord spoke to me. 1. Create an atmosphere. 2. Where the Holy Spirit can work. 3. In the lives of those who come.

 

I had surrendered to His Plan and Purpose for my life which was to build a retreat facility here in Caney, OK. I knew I would have to build a retreat house but that would not be a problem as I had built many houses in the past. However, creating a spiritual atmosphere where the Holy Spirit could work was a whole different issue.

 

As I studied and prayed on this, the Lord led me to Passages of Scripture where I found the answers. As stated yesterday, spiritual cleanliness was of the utmost importance. Because the building was brand new, I would be in control of the décor, artwork, and everything that would be inside the house. Therefore, this was very important and everything was hand selected. There could be nothing that remotely reflected the evils of the world inside the house.

 

As well, to pray over everything after each and every group was also a must to ensure that the house was spiritually clean. This is an ongoing process and has been for all these many years.

 

In addition to this, another key to creating the atmosphere was the spirit of unity among the guests. Every chance I got I encouraged the groups to include people who were not necessarily a part of their church or denomination. My heart for the Church has always been about the unity of the Body of Christ. While we may not totally agree about every detail of the Word of God, if we agree on the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified on the Cross of Calvary to atone for all sin, was buried in a borrowed tomb, was raised from the dead on the third day, appeared to well over 500 people, ascended into Heaven, is alive today sitting at the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven, and is coming back for His Bride (the Church), we are One in Christ Jesus.

 

Therefore, I have always strived for unity here at Betts Ministries. If Jesus prayed for all of us to be one as He and the Father are one, I believe we should also pray for this. After praying for His Disciples, Jesus prayed for all believers. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)

 

With that said, the first two key elements to creating the atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can work in the lives of those who come are spiritual cleanliness and unity in the Body. Both are based on the Word of God and practiced by Jesus during His Ministry here on earth.

 

This is just the beginning. We will continue to delve deeper tomorrow and I am praying you will put these elements to work in your own life, in your home, and in your ministry.

 

 

Spiritual cleanliness and unity will…...….turn the tide……….in the Church.

 

In one accord with you,         Doreen

 

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