"And when the days of Pentecost were fulfilled, as all of them were assembled together, Suddenly there was from Heaven a sound like a mighty wind and the whole place in which they were sitting was filled with it. And tongues like fire that were divided appeared to them, and they sat on each one of them. And all of them were filled with The Spirit of Holiness, and they were going out speaking in various languages, according to whatever The Spirit was giving them to speak." ~ Acts 2:1-4 (ABPE)
Next to the gifts of the Creation, Christmas Eve, and Resurrection Sunday, I would say Pentecost gave us our most precious gift. The gift of the Holy Spirit.
Yesterday we marked that moment, the moment when the disciples and followers of the Messiah were granted the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, one of the three forms of the Triune God, who lives in us and through us.
The gift He left behind.
Can you imagine that moment? As followers, you've been asked to wait in Jerusalem. But, wait for what?
The Spirit descends, wind whips up and swirls about as they're filled to bursting with an experience unlike any they've ever known, speaking in languages they did not know, "according to whatever The Spirit was giving them to speak."
People in the city gathered, "and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled..."
"Marveled." What a perfect word.
I wonder, do I marvel at the presence of God in my life?
Do I marvel at the inexpressibly wondrous gift of being a temple of the Holy Spirit?
How can we possibly take that gift for granted?
And, when we live with Him in our hearts, minds, and very beings, how can we humans not always walk in His ways?
But, we don't, because we're human.
We judge.
We despise.
We hurt.
We do so much damage... sometimes in His name, sometimes for what we think is our own sake.
Thank God, His mercies are new every morning.
He knew who we were as humans, He designed and created us. He knew every misstep we would ever take.
But, today, and ever after, may we get present to the indescribable gift of the moment we celebrate on Pentecost.
May we breathe in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
May we listen for that still small voice and be guided by it moment by moment.
Thank You, God, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, for helping us to live in and through You, always, in all ways. Thank You, for infusing this hurting world with Your love, compassion, mercy, grace, and justice. Thank You, for helping us to turn to You, that You would heal our land. We know You love Your children, that you work all things together for the good. We have faith for Your hand in all things now. We surrender. We trust. And, we pray for your creation, for your people, for your children, for all who are currently struggling. May we all be blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. May we know it for the gift it is, and be ever guided by that gift. All of these things we pray in the most precious name of your Son,
Amen.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of workings, but the same God is working all things in everyone. Now to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit, for the common profiting. For truly, to one is given a word of wisdom by the Spirit, and to another a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, and to a different one faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another distinguishing of spirits, and to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. Now one and the same the Spirit works all these things, apportioning individually to each as He wills." ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (BLB)
"God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires. God's Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit." ~ Galatians 5:22-25 (CEV)
"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV)
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives..." ~ Galatians 5:16a (NLT)
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
A bonus song of praise... ♥
Comments