god's enlarging word
"I commend you now to the Lord, and to that gracious word of His which can enlarge you." —Acts 20:32
As Pentecost approaches, the Lord shines the spotlight ever more brightly on His word. In the sixth day of the Pentecost novena, we are praying for a great outpouring and reception of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. One of the first actions the Holy Spirit does is to break open the word of God, make it come alive (Heb 4:12), and use it to enlarge His people (Acts 20:32).
On the first Christian Pentecost, the Spirit inspired Peter to preach from the Psalms (Acts 2:17ff). The Spirit then immediately used the proclaimed word to bring three thousand people to faith (Acts 2:41). When the Holy Spirit wields the word of God (Eph 6:17), great growth and enlarging soon follows.
If we are serious about praying for the Holy Spirit, we need to dive into the Scriptures as never before. Many who receive the Holy Spirit find that one of the first effects is for the Scriptures to suddenly "leap off the page." However, no passages jump off the page at us if we haven't opened our Bibles. Jesus has given us God's word (Jn 17:14). He also pours out the Spirit on us to make God's word multiply in us. Let us accordingly do our part by reading our Bibles daily. Abide in God's word (Jn 8:31), be enlarged (Acts 20:32), and thereby enlarge God's kingdom.
Prayer: Father, may Catholics increasingly read, pray, study, share, teach, and obey Your word.
Promise: "I consecrate Myself for their sakes now, that they may be consecrated in truth." —Jn 17:19
Praise: All workers at Presentation Ministries volunteer their time, talent, treasure to see that God's word is available in print, on the radio, on TV, on the phone, and on the Internet. Praise God for all the thousands and thousands who have been blessed through Presentation Ministries!
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, How to Read the Bible, or on audio tape AV 46-3 or video V-46.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2004
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