Sometimes, we get upset over how a church uses its funds. We feel a desire to control what we consider to be our When we view our money and possessions as an extension of our self-control, we have a hard time letting go without feeling like we still get to have a say in how they are used.
If I were to ask you, “what was the primary purpose of Jesus giving us the power of the Holy Spirit?” how would you respond? You may respond with a number of reasons, perhaps along the lines of the spiritual gifts or in line with the fruit of the Spirit. However, Jesus Himself told us the reason He would be sending the Spirit in power.
In the early church and in effective churches throughout the ages, prayer has been a priority and one of the essential functions of the church. The book of Acts records how the church developed after Jesus ascended, and we find the church praying and prayer on almost every page.
