Sunday Words of Encouragement May 19, 2013

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is a day 50 days after Easter, 10 days after the ascension of Jesus, which celebrates the Holy Spirit falling on the Apostles and believers. Acts 2:1-13. It marks the beginning of the Christian church. Pentecost fulfills Jesus' promise to send the "Advocate", "Helper", "Counselor", "Spirit of Truth" that was given in John 16-5-15. Pentecost launches the large-scale spreading of the Gospel, the message of salvation.

Just as the mighty rushing wind and flames of fire came upon the Apostles, we need a fresh fire each day to remind us of the importance of the Holy Spirit alive in us and working to spread the message of salvation and to help others through us.

This is a song I found that is fitting for today.

Send the Fire!

Verses for Today
John 16:7-11 (New American Standard Bible) {Jesus speaking to the Apostles:}
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

I am thankful for the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. Lord help me to be more mindful and to yield to your Spirit --your Will, instead of my own-- on a daily basis.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 27, 2012

This is Pentecost Sunday and we had a beautiful service filled with the presence of the Spirit. Pentecost celebrates the birth of the church when the Spirit filled the worshipers for the first time. It is fitting that Pentecost and Memorial Day may be celebrated together. Both are dedicated as a remembrance. 

Our Sunday School leader pointed out that in Revelations 3:1-6 God spoke to the church at Sardis. "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." (v.1-2).  All churches need to be careful to do more than go through the motions. We need to remember the power of the Spirit and allow Him to work within our hearts and lives.

This wasn't one of our songs this morning but I think it is beautifully fitting.

Verses for Today

Acts 2: 1-4 (New International Version)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

I pray that the Spirit will always help me to remember that God is my creator, my redeemer and my guide.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 12, 2011

Today we celebrate Pentecost. As I was preparing for church I thought about how far I had come from the religion of my childhood to my relationship now with God through Christ.  I was raised in the Episcopal church, although my maternal grandfather was a Presbyterian Pastor. Through the years I grew from the liturgical (ritualistic) services, which I loved as a child, to the orderly freedom to worship found in the Pentecostal Church of the Assemblies of God. I visited many churches through the years and my husband and I have been members of Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Church of God (Anderson division) congregations.

I can remember God's pull on me as a child, when I accepted Christ as my savior when I was a teenager and the first time I knowingly recognized the movement of the Holy Spirit in a physical touch on my body as an adult. Over the past 15 years I learned that raising hands in worship was not an embarrassment for me but rather if I fail to raise my hands when moved to do so then I am squelching the Spirit in me. Now I rejoice in worshiping freely in service and sometimes just in life!

A distinguishing feature in worship as a Pentecostal church is the acknowledgment of the Holy Spirit indwelling and manifesting in the speaking of tongues. Acts 2:1-13.  Our Pastor encourages speaking messages in English but the Spirit moves as He will and sometimes in our services there is a message of tongues which must then be interpreted. This morning there was such a wonderful message and it was spoken in English. We will have it typed next week so we can meditate on it and take encouragement from it. But I hope I caught the gist of God's message to share:

'Look to me my children, I will never lead you astray. Do not look past, do not look beyond, do not look behind. Walk with me daily, daily, daily. I will guide your path and not allow you to go astray.'

How awesome is that!!

This was one of our worship songs this morning.

Verses for today

Acts 2: 1 -4

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

 ¹ When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

This morning I was particularly moved to pray for each of my family members from my father to my grandchildren, my siblings and their children. (And I prayed for a Happy Birthday for my sister!)