Acts 2:1-4 (NIV): 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.
Today is the Day of Pentecost, the day when we celebrate the sending of the Holy Spirit by our risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ.
In a very real sense, the Day of Pentecost marks the birth of the church as God Himself came to indwell believers to empower and enable them to do great things for Him.
The presence of the Holy Spirit within us is the catalyst for God to use us as His witnesses to the whole world. It was not the power or the personalities of the apostles who built the church -- it was the Holy Spirit within them who did so as recorded in the Book of Acts. This same Holy Spirit is in us and with us today to empower us to be His church in the same way.
As Rick Kirchoff says, “When God sends forth the Spirit amazing things happen: barriers are broken, communities are formed, opposites are reconciled, unity is established, diseases are cured, addiction is broken, cities are renewed, races are reconciled, hope is established, people are blessed, and church -- [real church] -- happens.
"Today the Spirit of God is present -- God is up to something. . . discouraged folks are going to cheer up -- dishonest folks are gonna ‘fess up -- sour folks sweeten up -- closed folk open up -- gossipers shut up -- conflicted folks make up -- sleeping folks wake up -- lukewarm folk fire up -- dry bones shake up -- and pew potatoes stand up! -- But most of all, Christ the Savior of all the world is going to be lifted up.”
Be empowered with the presence of the Holy Spirit today! Celebrate His coming, and do great things in His name!
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