Sunday Words of Encouragement May 24, 2015

Today was a full day at Church. We honored our high school and college graduates, remembered our service men and women and celebrated Pentecost. Both our Sunday School teacher and our Pastor spoke on Pentecost.

Our SS teacher noted that Pentecost actually means fiftieth day after Passover. However the modern church recognizes Pentecostal as ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’. The original Pentecost was acknowledged in Leviticus as the day to celebrate the first fruits of the harvest (Feast of Weeks or Feast of Harvest). Leviticus 23:15-23. The day was fifty days after the angel of death passed over the Israelites in Egypt (Passover) because the Lamb’s blood was sprinkled on their doors. In Leviticus the law was written on stone.

After the resurrection of Jesus, he returned to the disciples to teach them for forty days. He left them saying to “wait”, that he would send a helper. Ten days later the people gathered to celebrate the Shavuot, the Feast of Harvest. God used that gathering time to give the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was fifty days after the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for our sins. Jesus was the first fruit and this time the message and power was written on our hearts.

Peter went through a transformation as this was the birth of the church. Acts 2. The Power was given to speak of the mighty deeds of God (verse 11). Peter spoke out boldly telling the people what they needed to do: repent, get baptized and receive the Holy Spirit (verse 38). The first Pentecost was about works; the second Pentecost was about faith. Too many people (and churches) deny the power of the Spirit so that we are as Timothy said of the last days: people will be ... “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3-4:5 NIV.

Pastor’s sermon was titled: The Guidance of the Holy Spirit. We don’t have directions as we go through life. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;...” Isaiah 53:6 NIV. People often wander around lost because pride keeps them from asking for help. We have all learned that GPS is not always right and maps may be out of date. The best guide is a knowledgeable person. We need guidance daily! The guidance of the Spirit is for each person and specialized for each person.

Joshua told the people to follow the presence of God (the Ark) because “ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” Joshua 3:2-4. Ask God to guide you each day so that you will stay on the path He has for you.

I was going to post Holy Spirit Rain Down which we sang this morning. 

Then I found this song to post instead.

Welcome Holy Spirit.

A Verse for Today:
Psalm 32:8(NIV)
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Thank you Lord for sending Your Holy Spirit to guide me in my earthly walk. Thank you too that I find fresh insight the more I read my Bible and study Your Word.