Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

This makes it very clear that even after Pentecost it wasn’t, and still isn’t, necessary for hands to be laid on people for them to receive the Holy Spirit. There are examples of Him coming on people both with and without the laying on of hands throughout Acts, as well as Paul’s references to laying hands on people in his letters. I think the point is to remember that God isn’t limited; He can do things however He likes. Our place is to keep ourselves available so that His will may be done, whether He chooses to use us or not. I have known people who were very uptight about this sort of thing, but God’s not! I think the more we try to put the things of God into formulas, the further away from Him we become. I wonder if Peter was irritated that people didn’t wait for him to finish talking before they started praising God in Tongues? It’s possible, but I rather doubt it because God had beaten it into Peter that He was in charge, not Peter. We need to remember that same lesson, and simply pray earnestly that God’s name would be acknowledged as holy and His rule and reign be established as His will is done, in, by, and around us, for His glory.

I’ve seen God work in a variety of ways and I’ve heard testimonies of many more, but I still tend to expect Him to work in ways that I’ve seen before. How foolish! I think that God actively likes variety, to keep us from trying to reduce Him to a formula. I earnestly desire to be used by God to empower His children, especially in Japan, but I’ve had to come to the place of desiring the empowerment more than I desire to be used in the process. Frankly, I think that makes it more likely that I will be used, but that’s entirely up to Him. Various things about my daily life and schedule are changing, and I need to focus on being sensitive and obedient, whether God wants me to speak or be silent, act or just pray. His plans are always good and perfect, and my joy is in seeing them come to pass.

Father, thank You indeed for Your plans. Thank You for desiring the Japanese people for Yourself, for Your family, Your kingdom. I do pray that the darkness that has bound this nation for so long would be shattered, and Your children be set free to be all that You created them to be, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!