Wind & Fire - May 17, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Fire on Wet Altars

Elijah drenched the sacrifice with water three times. Wood hissed. Stones steamed. The crowd muttered as he prayed: “Let them know You alone are God.” Fire fell, devouring water, stone, and doubt. Revival begins when we stop preserving pretty packages and drench our obedience in radical trust. [13:50]

Elijah’s soaked altar declared God’s supremacy over Baal’s silence. The fire proved Yahweh hears, acts, and consumes every rival. Jesus still answers with holy fire when we surrender our “what ifs” to His “I AM.”

You’ve prayed safe prayers. What altar have you built but refused to light? Name one practical step of surrender—a conversation, a sacrifice, a bold act—that would drench your obedience in radical trust.

“Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
(1 Kings 18:38, ESV)

Prayer: Ask God to ignite one area of half-hearted obedience with His refining fire.

Challenge: Write down one “safe” prayer you’ve repeated. Rewrite it as a bold, specific request reflecting God’s supremacy.

Day 2: From Cave to Commission

Elijah crouched in a cave, whispering, “I alone remain.” God answered not in earthquake or fire, but a gentle voice: “Go. Anoint kings. Train successors.” The man who called down fire now received a quiet commission to multiply God’s work through others. [14:38]

God redirected Elijah’s isolation into collaboration. Revival isn’t sustained by solo acts but by equipping others. The Holy Spirit’s power flows through shared purpose, not solitary heroics.

You’ve felt overwhelmed, thinking you carry God’s work alone. Who has He placed in your life to mentor, encourage, or partner with in ministry?

“And the Lord said to him, ‘Go… anoint Hazael… Jehu… and Elisha.’”
(1 Kings 19:15-16, ESV)

Prayer: Confess any isolationist pride. Ask for eyes to see potential partners in your mission.

Challenge: Text one person today with specific encouragement about their God-given purpose.

Day 3: Scanned Card Power

A woman wept at the utility counter, powerless to restart her electricity. The Holy Spirit whispered, “Pay her bill.” Obedience cost more than expected, but heaven’s currency always covers the price of revival. [17:45]

Jesus already paid for revival through His blood. Our role is to “scan the card”—to act on promptings that release His power into practical needs. Every obedient yes channels kinetic grace.

What “bill” has God asked you to pay through inconvenient generosity or uncomfortable obedience?

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
(James 5:16, ESV)

Prayer: Thank God for three specific times He empowered your obedience.

Challenge: Carry $20 today. Ask the Holy Spirit who needs it, then give it without explanation.

Day 4: Beyond the Catalog Circle

A boy circled every toy in the Sears catalog, dreaming beyond his means. God promises to “exceed abundantly” our boldest requests—not to indulge wishes, but to fuel His mission through Spirit-empowered believers. [28:23]

Ephesians 3:20 isn’t about God fulfilling our bucket list. It’s about His power working through us to reach cities, heal generations, and spark movements. Our small plans limit His cosmic purpose.

What God-sized vision have you reduced to human-sized? How would praying in kinetic faith—not potential doubt—reshape that dream?

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…”
(Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Prayer: Name one “impossible” kingdom goal. Ask for power to pursue it this week.

Challenge: Circle a map of your city. Pray over one neighborhood daily for revival.

Day 5: Unshaken by Vipers

Paul shook a venomous snake into the fire, unharmed. Onlookers expected death; he expected dinner. The Holy Spirit’s power turns crises into platforms—when we trust His presence more than perceived threats. [31:04]

Miracles aren’t for showmanship but witness. Paul’s snake-handling silenced skeptics and spotlighted Christ’s authority. Our trials become testimonies when we lean on the indwelling Spirit’s power.

What “viper” are you fearing—a diagnosis, conflict, or failure? How would acting in Spirit-powered confidence instead of anxiety change your response?

“But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.”
(Acts 28:5, ESV)

Prayer: Confess one fear blocking your boldness. Claim Christ’s authority over it.

Challenge: Share a past trial where God empowered you, in person or online, today.

Sermon Summary

The Holy Spirit lays out the aim of the gifts right up front: not religious fireworks, not a platform to look impressive, but power to make Jesus known. Acts 1:8 names it plainly. Power is given to be witnesses, not for goosebumps or a dance. Talent cannot break a yoke. Anointing can. The call is to stop leaning on ability and let the Spirit’s power do the work.

Revival, then, is not a vibe but a prayer-born movement. Tarrying births it, not branding. Revival is the Spirit moving in an extraordinary way that wakes up hearts, draws sinners to Christ, jolts the church onto mission, and pushes the work of God forward with power. That hunger must start in the circle around each believer’s feet. If it does not start in the heart, it will not start in the house.

Elijah’s swing from fire to cave shows what happens when a believer listens to the wrong message. Yesterday’s oil will not carry today’s obedience. The call is simple: stop chasing the stuff and go after the Spirit. Prayer turns potential into motion. Like a power line at a light switch, grace is already present. Flip the switch. The earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer of the righteous makes tremendous power available. Righteousness in Christ opens access, so surprise at answered prayer only reveals unbelief that needs reviving.

Ephesians 3:20 stretches the frame. God does exceedingly, abundantly above all that can be asked or imagined, and he does it through the power already at work in believers. That is the sting and the comfort. God is not waiting on a celebrity. He is looking at ordinary people and saying, you are the somebody you are looking for. The gifts are chainsaws, not butter knives. Refusing them turns the mission into drudgery. Receiving them turns witness into breakthrough.

Paul’s viper moment shows why gifts operate: not to make Paul look like somebody, but to make God visible to onlookers. The question is not whether the gifts are for today. The question is whether the believer is hungry enough to be used today. Obedience often feels awkward. Yet the devil does not prompt generosity, encouragement, or holy risk. Seed sown in obedience may not show its harvest for years, but it will still be there when the story comes back around.

The mission in this city is too big for talent. It demands the Spirit. So the charge lands here: get in position like the upper room. Live set apart. Pray through until pride breaks, fear leaves, faith rises, and the gifts are stirred. If a believer is not full, God is not finished. Fan the flame.

Key Takeaways

1. The Spirit gives power, not fireworks The Spirit’s aim is Jesus made known, not churchy excitement or a platform to perform. Talent cannot free captives, but anointing can break yokes and lift burdens. Power is given to witness in the street as much as in the pew. The measure is not noise but fruit. [07:54]
2. Revival is birthed through prayer Tarrying births movements that branding cannot manufacture. Prayer puts the church under the spout where the glory comes out and awakens a sleeping heart. When desire meets intercession, sinners are drawn and mission comes alive. Hungry people praying always outrun slick people planning. [10:09]
3. Flip the switch from potential Grace sits at the switch until obedience turns it into motion. Earnest, continued prayer, humble surrender, and ready obedience turn power lines into light. Potential without prayer keeps a room in the dark. Flip the switch and let kinetic power run. [22:49]
4. God works beyond us, through us Ephesians 3:20 is not a poster but a pipeline. God does above what minds can sketch, and he does it through the power already at work in everyday saints. The assignment is bigger than talent by design so dependence becomes the doorway to abundance. The somebody being waited for is often the one already in the mirror. [28:55]
5. Pray through until flame rises Dry hearts are not destiny. Prayer presses through until fear loosens, faith stands up, and gifts catch fire again. If a believer is not full and overflowing, God is not finished pouring. Fan the flame and stay on the altar until it burns. [44:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:01] - Family of God and love
[06:18] - Classroom of the Spirit; all the gifts
[07:54] - Power to witness, not goosebumps
[09:36] - Gifts birthed in prayer; tarry
[10:09] - Revival defined and needed
[12:41] - Elijah: from fire to cave
[16:01] - Turn the power on like Acts
[17:45] - Paid in full: turn power on
[21:20] - Effectual prayer makes power available
[22:49] - Flip the switch to kinetic power
[24:10] - Chainsaw vs butter knife
[28:55] - Exceedingly abundantly through power in you
[44:01] - Pray through and fan the flame

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…”

Observation Questions

According to Acts 1:8, what is the specific purpose of the power given by the Holy Spirit? How does this contrast with common misunderstandings about spiritual gifts? [07:54]
What does Ephesians 3:20 reveal about how God accomplishes His work (e.g., through what means)?
In the sermon, Elijah’s story shifts from a dramatic victory to hiding in a cave. What caused this shift, and what does it teach about listening to the wrong messages? [14:38]
How does James 5:16 (referenced in the sermon) describe the impact of “earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer”?

Interpretation Questions

Why might relying on talent or human ability instead of the Holy Spirit’s anointing lead to ineffective ministry? [08:12]
The sermon compares spiritual gifts to chainsaws versus butter knives. What does this analogy suggest about the consequences of neglecting God’s power in our witness? [24:10]
Ephesians 3:20 emphasizes God working “through the power already at work in you.” Why is it challenging for believers to recognize and act on this truth?
How does persistent prayer “flip the switch” from potential to kinetic spiritual power in a believer’s life? [22:49]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent situation where you leaned on your own abilities instead of seeking the Holy Spirit’s power. What practical step could you take to depend more on His anointing next time?
The sermon warns against chasing “the stuff” (miracles, excitement) instead of the Spirit. What habits or priorities might need to shift in your life to focus on intimacy with God over visible results? [15:09]
Identify one area in your community (workplace, family, neighborhood) where you feel powerless to make a difference. How could Ephesians 3:20 reshape your prayers and actions in that space?
The analogy of Elijah’s “yesterday’s oil” implies we can’t rely on past spiritual experiences. What daily practices could help you stay fresh in your walk with God and sensitive to His voice? [14:38]
The sermon urges believers to “pray through until pride breaks, fear leaves, and faith rises.” What specific fear or area of pride do you need to surrender in prayer this week?
How might you “fan the flame” of the Holy Spirit in your life this month? Consider one tangible way to prioritize prayer, obedience, or serving others in His power. [44:01]
Think of a “chainsaw” gift (e.g., prophecy, encouragement, healing) God has given you. How could you intentionally use it this week to make Jesus known, even if it feels awkward? [33:40]

Sermon Clips

31s

“So when we talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we're not talking about religious entertainment. We're not talking about spiritual fireworks. We're not talking about church people trying to prove how deep and spiritual they are. The gifts of the spirit are not given so that we can be impressive. They're given so that Jesus could be made known. That is the purpose of the gifts of the holy spirit. That is the purpose of living a life, the spirit filled life is so that Jesus could be made known”

39s

“And the miracle is he lived. Now, why did that happen? Did it happen because Paul was somebody? Or did it happen because God wanted to show the people that was around him the power that was in Paul, which was him? That's the purpose of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. So today, I'm not asking you to think about if they're for today or not. They are settled. Thank you. Alright. What I'm asking is, are you hungry to ask the Lord to fill you with that power?”

35s

“It causes sinners to be drawn to Christ. The church to come alive and get on mission and move forward with God's power. And I don't know about you, but America needs revival. In fact, I believe the Assemblies of God needs revival. I believe Indiana needs revival. I know Anderson needs revival and I believe GT Church needs revival. And to be quite honest with you, David Crawford needs revival. Because if it doesn't start with me and if it doesn't start with you, it's not gonna start.”

32s

“You're not you're not just, you know, crossing your fingers. You're not just drawing straws hoping you get the right one. It's already at work in you. In you. And I I say this all the time. You are the somebody you're looking for. We're always looking for somebody and something. And God's saying, I got power in you and I want to do beyond what you think you can do by the power that I have put in you.”

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