Sunday, June 7 is the 50th day after Easter,
which is the day the Holy Spirit came on the followers of Jesus in Acts 2. Some call it Pentecost Sunday. The Greek word for pentecost means fifty. Acts 2 tells us that Jesus’ disciples
were gathered in the upper room when they were filled with the Holy Spirit;
they heard a great wind and spoke in different languages as tongues of fire
settled upon them.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, which is essential
for salvation. The Spirit counsels
and comforts us (John 14:16, 26).
The Spirit guides us. In
John 6:63, Jesus said, “The Spirit gives life.” The Spirit renews us.
In the languages of the original Bible, Hebrew and Greek,
the word for “Spirit” is the same as the word for “breath.” Genesis 2:7 speaks of creation as God
breathing the breath of life into Adam and Eve’s nostrils. Sometimes we say that the Spirit is
like the wind. We can’t see it,
but we can see what it does.
The Apostles’ Creed says, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” Do we
truly believe that the Spirit is working in us and through us?
When we pray and read the Bible, do we expect the Spirit to
speak God’s Word to us? Do you let
the Spirit guide you and lead your conversations with others? Are your relationships marked by the
love, joy, and peace of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? When we meet together in a small group,
class, committee or in worship, do we really expect the Spirit to work in us or
through us?
I encourage you to keep your eyes and ears open. It’s too easy to miss what the Spirit
is doing. The Spirit is working in
our midst, but if we’re not alert, we miss the special things that God’s Spirit
is doing. God’s Spirit is alive
and moving and making old things new!
Let us give thanks to the Lord and praise Him for the work of His
Spirit!
To God be the Glory!
This is the “Come holy Spirit” prayer from Cursillio:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
Did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
Grant that by the same Holy Spirit,
We may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.aler
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