A Party to Remember

Daily Reading: Acts 2

Scripture Focus: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. (Acts 2.1-2)

Devotional Thought: After waiting 9 months, some friends of mine had an unforgettable experience: The husband delivered their baby in their master bath while the life squad was on the way!  That's a "birth day" to remember!

Acts 2 tells of another memorable birthday, that of the Church.  This chapter is, of course, the story of Pentecost – when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church and the Church came alive!  What can we learn from the Church's "birth day?"  Consider a few facts from the story:

·       When the day of Pentecost arrived.  This was the “due date” of the Church.  The outpouring of the Spirit came on the day God had ordained centuries before.  God does nothing by accident!

·       They were all together.  The followers of Jesus Christ were united in purpose: waiting on God’s promise.  When God’s people unite in prayer, seeking the promise of God, great things will happen!

·       In one place.  They purposefully came to a place.  It was the place of Jesus’ choosing.  It was the place where they had met with Jesus before.  We need to be together as the people of God in order to experience God’s power.  Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18.20).

·       Suddenly.  Although there are nine months of waiting, births happen in a moment.  And although (so I am told!) the last hours before a birth are long and “uncomfortable” with things moving slowly, things start to move quickly when it’s time for the baby to come.  God deals with us in decisive ways.

Prayer: God our Father, I thank you for the Church and for the Holy Spirit who brings the Church to life.  Fill me with your Spirit, too, that I may live with that same excitement and intensity as those early Christians did.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 66.16-20

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

17 I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!