March 25

Read: Acts 1:4-8

Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence (Acts 1:5).

We May Have Him Now

Dr. E. Stanley Jones writes of his own experience as follows: “I found a little book in a Sunday school library called The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life… I began to read it, and it set my heart on fire to get the type of life shown in its pages. When I got to the forty-second page, the inner Voice whispered, ‘Now is the time to get it.’ But I pleaded that I didn’t know what I wanted, that this book was showing me, that as soon as I had finished reading, I would seek and then I could intelligently seek.

“But the Voice was imperious, ‘Now is the time to seek.’ Apparently God was willing to take me on my half-knowledge if I would give Him my whole heart.” After some time spent in consecration and prayer Dr. Jones’s testimony continues: “Suddenly I was filled. Wave after wave of refining fire swept through my being, even to my finger tips. It touched the whole being, physical, mental, and spiritual. I could only pace the floor with tears of quiet joy streaming down my cheeks. The Holy Spirit had invaded me and had taken complete possession. He was cleansing and uniting at depths I couldn’t control” (Flames of Living Fire, Beacon Hill Press).

Every child of God who is unsanctified may have this experience. We need not wait to read further. Our need is now. God’s provision is now. We may have Him now if with all the heart we seek Him.

Hover o’er me, Holy Spirit; Bathe my trembling heart and brow; Fill me with Thy hallowed presence. Come, oh, come and fill me now.

— E. H. Stokes