June 4
"On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers." - Acts 2:1-6 (NLT)
While the exact day of Pentecost varies yearly, it is a joyful holiday for Christians celebrating the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit into our world and the birthday of the Christian church. When Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit before his death, he told his disciples to wait to receive it before they tried to minster or spread God's message. This was vital in a hostile world as the gift of the Holy Spirit gave the power, or dudamis in NT Greek, to do great works, miracles, and all necessary to spread the Good News in challenging times. Fifty days after Christ's resurrection, disciples had gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Pentecost celebrating freedom from slavery of the Jews in Egypt thousands of years before. It was at this national Judean holiday God first poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit on all present, including those from different countries speaking different languages. Yet all could suddenly understand each other. The miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit has not been given to divide but unify us into one body dedicated to fulfilling the mission of Christ to being love, unity, peace, healing, and harmony.
At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was released throughout the entire world to men, women, slaves, Jews, Gentiles. Now everyone can receive the Holy Spirit. This was revolutionary not only for Jews, but for us today. The promise of access to infinite power by the Holy Spirit is for you today! You don't need to live a defeated powerless life or be ineffective. God is able to do more than we can imagine by the power of the Holy Spirit alive in us. Don’t be afraid of the power God wants to bless you with. All you have to do to receive the Holy Spirit is ask Jesus! You are invited every day to be a power filled disciple sharing God's joy!
Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Meditation For The Day: A Holy Spirit empowers. A Bad Spirit sours.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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