Prayer Works Morning Devotion: April 22, 2025

"Waiting On The Holy Spirit - Getting Our Hearts Ready for Pentecost"

"The Road To Emmaus"

---

Good morning, everybody. Let us pray. Heavenly Father we come before you today. We thank you for your goodness and your mercy towards us. We thank you know for all that you have done and we're just still going to do.  

We thank you for salvation. We thank you for grace. Thank you for peace and we thank you for anointing us. We know, Lord you are slowly but surely pushing us towards wisdom, maturity, authority, power.  

So our prayer Lord is that as we continue on this journey of worshipping you, of coming together. We pray, Lord, that your spiritual guide and govern everything that we do because we need him.  

We need him for insight. We need him for vision. We need him for Council. We ned him to teach us. We need him to eliminate these scriptures that we read. So we pray, Lord, that as we have made a decision to prepare for Pentecost and to receive the Holy Spirit.  

We know, Lord, you are not going to deny us an opportunity to experience that which you promised. So far as we prepare our hearts, our minds ourselves with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are believing for greater.  

So help us Lord individually, collectively to clean these temples as we reach for you, thank you for your grace in Jesus name we pray. Now, brothers and sisters, we are now in Luke 24:18.  

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmas about 7 miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and we discussed these things with each other.  

Jesus himself came up and walked along with them. But they were kept from recognizing him. We want to pay attention to this to verse 15 as they talked and discussed these things. With each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.  

But where they were kept from recognizing. He asked them what are you discussing together as you talk along? They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them named Cleopas, asked him.  

Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days? What things he asks. About Jesus of Nazareth, they replied he was a prophet, powerful inward and did before God and all the people.  

The chief priest and our rulers handing him over to be sentenced to death and they crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. 

And what is more, it is the third day since all of this took place. In addition, some of our women, amazed as they went to the tomb this early morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive.  

Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said. But they did not see Jesus. He say to them how foolish you are. And how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things than enter his glory. 

And beginning with Moses and all the prophets he explained to them what was said in all scriptures concerning himself? Now, we want to focus on verse 15. Because what happened in verse 15 is we were being shown how our lives will be moving forward.  

These men are walking on their way and all of a sudden Jesus shows up. And he says, asking them questions. Well this scenario cannot really represent the powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit. That he is present in the time of our need, in the time of questioning, in the time when we need answers, in the time when we need revelation.  

The speaker says he just shows up. This is what the Holy Spirit does. He just shows up. When but the reason it shows up is the need is there. He is everywhere, but sometimes he has to show himself so strong because of need.  

Because of other questions, because of what that moments demands of. So these two, they are hearts are overwhelmed with the events that took place in these past three days. That are on a seven mile, seven mile trip to Emmaus. 

And we are just having a conversation. And then the scripture says to us that God is close to the broken hearted. You see it right here, these two are broken hearted. Talking about the events that just took place.  

But even when Jesus shows up, you say to him, hey are you the only person who doesn't know what happened here? Because what happened everybody's got to know about it. Because it was that gruesome and serious and all the events that took place and crucifixion from the darkness, earthquqakes. 

People walking out of the graves. So we are having a full discussion of this and then Jesus just shows up. And for us it means that every time that we have a conversation about Jesus, about this Kingdom, every time that we have questions.  

The Holy Spirit just shows up. Now it's one thing for him to show up. It's another for us to engage in. What these two did, they had this conversation with Jesus. So it is important that we understand that our desires and our desire to ask questions.  

Our desire to seek knowledge, information, wisdom. Our desire to seek counsel from the Holy Spirit. It means that that desire pretty much pushes the Holy Spirit to show up. This is why expectation you hear me always saying that you have to always work with expectation of God doing something.  

Because when you are expecting something God is not going to deny us the privilege that he promised to us that I will never leave you nor forsake you. What he meant is that wherever you go, you have full access to the Holy Spirit.  

And to the wisdom and knowledge that I possess through the Holy Spirit. So when you think about it. It's almost impossible to not know things if you have a desire to know them. Because once you possess the desire and you are seeking information and knowledge and wisdom and the counselor of the Holy Spirit.  

There is no way he is going to deny us, you know why he's not going to deny us because that's what Jesus came and died for anyway.

So why would God, in his infinite wisdom, hide that which his son came to you, and to suffer for so that you and I can have complete access with our reservation without blockage, without being denied the chance to.  

That will that does not make sense. That means that Jesus's death was futile. So I want just to understand that what our desires of hearing scriptures of understanding, scriptures, wanting to know more, or praying to God or our desires.  

What they do is that they activate our hearing and when that happens, that means you are astute enough to look for what to look for, that which you want to understand. I'll give you an example.  

When I used to play soccer my coach always gave everybody things that he was expecting to do in a match. You say you played this is the number you play. You had defensive midfielder.  

So I'm expecting you. I need at least seven tackles. I need this and I need that and I need that from you. Now when you go into the match because he has already expressed to you individually, what he desires to see from you to help the team win.  

As a player. I will tell you something gets activated in your mind that, oh, you start looking for it in the game that, oh, I need to score a goal. Because coach is expecting me to score 2 to have seven shots on target.  

So which means that every opportunity that rises for me to do that, which has to do, I'm going to take it because there is now an expectation that has been placed on us and that expectation activates, my mind, my hearing, my seeing to say where is the opportunity, where is it? Is it over here? Is it here now or should I wait for it? 

Should I take for it and I'll tell you this. If you never successfully do that, which was expected of you, you always walked out of the game disappointed, even though you won. You'll be disappointed that you did not meet your expectations.  

But it was a way of activating your mind. Your thoughts to be looking for that which he knew you were capable of doing. So when God says I will never leave you nor forsake you. It was a promise.  

This was tied to his presence through the whole spirit. That this Council, this friendship, this desire, whatever it is that you so need. I am sending this spirit to walk with you, to counsel you, to be an answer.  

In other words, you are always going to have an open book test. Because you have access to the Holy Spirit. That's why in 15 we looked at it and said right here is, this should help us to see how God functions and relates with us as it pertains to the Holy Spirit. 

Now remember we don't use the Holy Spirit. He uses us to accomplish things and to understand things that which God desires for us to understand in this situation, Jesus shows up.  

They have questions they are lacking understanding, so that Jesus shows up and he says let me tell you what's going on and he explains. Now look at where, look at where Jesus starts from. It starts all the way from Moses to now.  

Which meant that Jesus had information about everything that transpired. Why did he have information? Look at the very last one. In beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all these scriptures concerning himself.  

In other words, I am the words and I'm explaining to you everything that transpired well. Now they never asked for this getting us views. Can you please explain to us what from Moses to now? No that two scriptures that are both I'm closer to you and this is the scripture that stitches all things, even the deep things of God, and reveals them to us.  

So which meant in this moment if this, if these two people had no idea of some facts of things that transpired from Moses to now. They varied on this particular day and Jesus just shows up.  

Now what does it mean for us? Because we now have an understanding that Jesus just shows up. Where there is a need where there's a desire, where there's a want, he just shows up.  

So if we understand that Jesus just shows up. It means for you and I, we now have to be attentive to when he shows up. And we now have to expect it because he will show up. Why is he always showing up? Because we have a desire, needs.  

We want to know something. We want the Council, we want help and these are things that every single one of us always need every day. So I have a question. So are there times that he shows up?  

But we are not paying close attention in order to see or in order to hear what the spirit says. 

That's why scripture says, whoever has an ear and you hear what the spirit of God says so, which means the spirit of God is always present. And is always quick to answer, is always quick to cancel because that's what his job is.  

He doesn't go to sleep sometimes. No he's always awake all the time, ready to give control where it's needed. So for the rest of our lives let's make this part of our culture that our eyes and our ears should always be attentive.  

What is the Holy Spirit saying? And I'm telling you this, there are times when I was playing soccer and even now sometimes when I'm playing with over 40 people just trying to lose a few pounds.  

I'm telling you this even when I'm playing a sporting event, there's times I can hear the whole district says, Nah, this is what's about to happen there, about to shoot over there, there about to do that over there and is one of the most incredible things that I experience every time I go play soccer.  

And my kids are always, Dad how did you see that, well the Holy Spirit I will be watching soccer and there's a penalty kick. And I'm like, oh, he's about to miss. How do you know, I said look, look at this and that and how did you know? Well, the Holy Spirit. 

It's not that we I am that smart. But it's just that when you understand how the Holy Spirit functions and councils and is always present then.

It's our job to now look for those opportunities where he is constantly speaking and ask ourselves, man, can I get an answer a CHEAT SHEET to what's going on here.  

So for us brothers and sisters we want to make it culture with the Council of the Holy Spirit, we are always searching for it. We are always looking for it and we always want to know that surely God is speaking.  

We might not hear it but it doesn't mean that he's silent. Remember what I'm always going to be saying and what I've always said that the life that we are actually living, the human existence, the human experience we are having right now is not what God intended for us to do, to have. 

Genesis 2 is where his desire was for humanity. Men says men do what God says and there was no limitations in hearing limitations in doing. It was always God speaking and men doing.  

And there was this repository that we that existed between God and man that he wanted things to flourish through. But Genesis 3 happens and we started living a whole different life, a whole different existence that God never intended for us to do.  

So in order to rectify that which was lost in the garden, he sent the aid of the Council of the Holy Spirit that you and I in this world that we will always get it right if we lean to the council and the presence of the Holy Spirit and also to have an understanding that Jesus just shows up.  

That's where I want us to rest today. Jesus just shows up. Where? wherever there is a need, wherever there is need for council, need for help, need for grace, need for salvation. He just shows up.  

Because that is what was promised by the Father. I'm never ever going to leave you nor forsake you. Why? Because we are now back to Genesis 2 where his counsel is always in our ear.  

The only challenge is that sometimes we are not astute to keep that in our minds, hence, I want us to develop a culture of always knowing and always searching for that which was promised.  

The aid and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. And he’s there for us every day, all the time, every moment. Search for it, look for it. Pay attention to it because it was promised. So brothers and sisters I want us to go through all this day with a joyful spirit.  

Knowing that, surely God is present wherever you are, whatever you are doing. And God has answers for everything that you need. Let us pray. Heavenly Father we thank you for revelation. We thank you for all that you have given us.  

Mostly today we thank you and acknowledge you for the Council of the Holy Spirit. Now as you go throughout this day, he hopes to develop a culture where we are constantly looking and constantly listening to here is the Holy Spirit saying this is the way go, ye.  

I pray Lord for us, may you enhance our beliefs. May you enhance our hearing. May you enhance our seeing. May you enhance our desires because we know that it's through our desire that we get to hear, we get to see. 

With out our desire it's almost impossible for us to activate our hearing and our seeing. So I pray Lord that the desire to know you, to hear you would constantly be elevated in us so that we have this dynamic relationship with the Holy Spirit.  

Where our lives are made simple not because there's no problems or challenges, but because we have the ultimate voice of the one who searches even the deep things of God and reveals them to us.  

We thank you for the comfort that we feel of knowing that we have an aid that is constantly by our side. Leading us in triumphant profession in all things right and in all things good.  

I pray, Lord, that even as we walk this journey in, patients are waiting for Pentecost Sunday. Help us, Lord, to grow our hearing  between now and then, for Lord, we know with the oldest shadow of doubt that you never withhold perfect gifts from us. 

So I pray that God as we mature and grow in you. Let your spirit be so present in that these lives that we behold could become easy, not because there's no challenges, but because we have the Council of the Holy Spirit.  

Bless every single one of us in all that we desire to do, help us to enhance the desires of these hearts that we carried so that your presence is so strong in our lives. Thank you for this wonderful gift. Now as we go through this day bless all of us in everything that we'll do today.  

Thank you for giving us today's daily bread. And Father, we pray for your spirit because the scripture says it was present to heal them all. So if any amongst us who are dealing with any sickness or any emotional challenges or spiritual attacks.  

We now proclaim that your spirit is present to heal all of us. Thank you for clarity in things and in situations that we might be dealing with. Thank you for this gift that carries in its bosom the gift of salvation.  

We know we don't get saved without the spirit of God. So I pray for this spirit to be present. So strong wherever he is needed for salvation to take place, help us, help us, help us.

We pray this prayer and we seal it knowing that God you hear us in heaven and you are quick to come to our aid.  

So we bless you and honor you for all that you are going to do today. Help us to walk in anticipation as we continue to walk in victory. We bless you and honor you in Jesus name, Amen. 

Brothers, sisters expectations high, needs spiritual needs high, expectations high always needs spiritual needs, always high. That is the recipe of hearing from God, seeing him move of having the counsel of the Holy Spirit so strong, because there's always a spiritual need.  

Let us grow in spirit. Let us grow in stature for the work that we are being called to do is bigger than all of us, but smaller for the Holy Spirit, hence his counsel is our victor.

May the Lord bless you may have a wonderful day and we'll see each other tomorrow. Enjoy this council as we go into this day and may the Lord bless you.