“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world” (John 16:21).

In John 16, Jesus told his disciples of a time when they would experience sorrow, when he departed from the world. He said that they would have him for a little while and then they would no longer see him. The disciples reasoned among themselves about the meaning of his sayings. Jesus’s answer to them was, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20). He compared their sorrow as being like a woman, who experienced pain at the time of childbirth. Once the baby was delivered, the woman would forget her anguish, because she would rejoice that her child has entered the world. Jesus promised that his disciples would see him again and on that day they would rejoice and no one would take their joy away.

The other thing which he said to his disciples was that, until that time, they had not asked for anything in his name. He encouraged them to ask, so that they would receive joy. The joy which Jesus was referring to, as it relates to asking and receiving was synonymous with birthing. In addition to the fact that we are in the ninth month of the year and this number is significant with birthing, there is an outpouring of the presence of God. Soon after this discussion with his disciples, Jesus was arrested and crucified. He arose on the third day and appeared to his disciples. He pronounced peace unto them and sent them out to preach the gospel. “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22).

Later in Acts, the other disciples were instructed to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus reinforced this before his ascension and reminded them of what he had promised before. John’s baptism was with water, but they would be baptised with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was to give the disciples power to be his witnesses. This Holy Spirit power would also give them boldness and power to work signs, wonders and miracles. The disciples gathered to pray and cast lots to choose another disciple to replace Judas. After these things, the day of Pentecost or the day when the promise of the Holy Spirit would come, was fulfilled. A sound came from heaven like a mighty rushing wind and filled the house where they were. And tongues appearing like fire came and sat on each of them. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance”(Acts 2:4).

I don’t believe that Pentecost is a one time event and God is always looking for a people who are ready for an outpouring of his spirit. The creation is groaning for the manifestation of the sons of God and we have to be set ablaze in order to change this world. God will go ahead of us and level the crooked places, break in pieces the stubborn doors and cut through every bar of iron. “I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name”(Isaiah 45:3). These resources are for the furtherance of the gospel and the establishment of the kingdom of God. We need the power of the Holy Spirit and an outpouring of the presence of God for breakthrough. This anointing empowered David to run against a troop and leap over a wall (Psalm 18:29). As we pray and receive the anointing for breakthrough, no giant, mountain, wall, gate or stubborn doors can stand in our way.

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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