May 31, 2009
THE AMAZING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
This Sunday is Pentecost, a season of the church year in which we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit in the disciples and the early church. As amazing as it is to read about the tongues of fire, the disciples being able to speak in other languages, and the massive amounts of believers that were added to the church on that first Pentecost, we often neglect to recognize and appreciate the power the Holy Spirit has in our lives today. Even though we may not see tongues of fire on our head or be able to speak in languages we have never learned, for those of us who belong to the body of Christ, we experience our own little Pentecost each and every day. This week’s readings declare the Holy Spirit IS alive and working powerfully in our lives – just as He did in the early days. Observe:
THE AMAZING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRT
Ezekiel 37:4-7 “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"
Imagine, a mortal man (Son of man) speaking the Words of God (prophesy) and a bunch of dry old bones come to life. Think this can’t or doesn’t happen today? Watch a baptism. In baptism, an ordinary mortal man speaks the Words of God, and a spiritually dead person is given faith and eternal life. Amazing isn’t it!
THE AMAZING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRT
Psalm 139:1-10 “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Think the Holy Spirit was only for the disciples and the early church? Think again. When we receive the Holy Spirit, through God’s Word either in Baptism or through some other means, He became a permanent resident in our hearts which means He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our needs, our hurts, our pain, our struggles, our weaknesses – everything. That’s a good thing because that means that we don’t have to figure it out; we just need to listen, trust, and follow His guidance. It also means there is never a time that we are outside His presence, protection, and Grace. Amazing isn’t it!
THE AMAZING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRT
Acts 2:1-4, 21 “When the day of Pentecost came; they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Think this doesn’t happen today? I beg to differ. Consider the sound the Holy Spirit makes when we say the Lord ’s Prayer or the Apostle’s Creed together. Think of the goose bumps you get when a congregation joins together in singing A Mightly Fortress is Our God” on reformation, Silent Night at Christmas, or I Know That My Redeemer Lives” at Easter. Or when you get one of those Ah Ha moments when a sermon or message from God’s Holy Word finally makes sense. Scripture tells us these things cannot happen without the power of the Holy Spirit (check out 1 Corinthians 12:3). Amazing isn’t it!
THE AMAZING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRT
John 16:13-14 “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”
Think the disciples had an advantage because they physically walked with Jesus? Think again. As amazing as the ministry of the disciples was, the fact that I can write these devotions, you can read them, and we can all know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is a testimony of the amazing power of God’s amazing Spirit. Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead trust in it, rely on it, and call on it upon it for your every need. God’s Holy Spirit – Amazing isn’t it.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son AND HOLY GHOST – AMEN!!
Week ending: May 31, 2009
Pentecost
Monday – (Old Testament)
Ezekiel 37:1-14
PRAISE GOD that the Holy Spirit breathes life into our spiritually dead bones – Then they will know that I AM THE LORD
Tuesday – Psalm 139: 1-12
Check out Romans 8:26-27 – consider these two texts the next time you are at a loss for words during your prayer time
Wednesday –(Epistle)
Acts 2:1-21
Read verses 38-41 for a summary of Peter’s sermon and the results of the Holy Spirit though it.
Thursday – (Gospel)
John 15:26,27 & 16:4b-15
Make a list of all the amazing things God’s Amazing Spirit does for us
Friday – Reread John 17
Can you think of a little “Penticost” time in your life when you felt the Holy Spirit work in a powerful way?
Saturday – SHARE
Share your story with someone you know
Sunday – Be expecting the Power of the Holy Spirit as you Worship your God and Lord
