Today’s Reading: Acts 2:3-4 (NIV)
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.
Good morning!
For what little good it did, it appeared as if I were speaking in gibberish. No one seemed to understand what it was I was trying to convey. Have you ever felt passionate about sharing faith in Christ; yet, when you try to convey it, the words seem to fall upon deaf ears? How I praise the Lord for His perfect timing and master plan!
A good example is what happens when we try to teach Christ-like love to little children. Quite often, they hear what you are saying, but don’t really want to get it. This seems to be a character trait of all God’s children, no matter what our age! Our family used to take long road trips each summer with our wee ones cloistered in the back seat, restrained in seat belts and shoulder harnesses. After awhile, the children stopped listening, and it didn’t take long for them to become cranky and restless. They would pick on each other incessantly until I would say in my stern, motherly voice, “We will hold hands until we can love and respect each other for real! Now sit still, and show your brother some love!” I longed for little Holy Spirit fire - it could do us all some good about now. Have you ever been forced to hold hands with someone whose beliefs are different from yours? Have you ever reached out to someone who truly dislikes you and love them unconditionally, just like Jesus Christ loves you? Maybe we need to try a little world-wide hand-holding session today. Whose hand do you need to reach out and take in yours today?
When the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, people started holding hands and hearts around the world for the very first time. Through the miraculous enabling of the Spirit, the Word was spoken in other tongues, and all who were present could really hear and understand the Gospel message in words that made real sense. There was no gibberish going on here! The Apostles were able to share faith in a meaningful and life-changing way, and thousands were converted in that breathtaking moment to Jesus Christ.
How far would you be willing to go to offer Christ’s love to the people whom the Father has placed in your life? The Holy Spirit power helps link hands and hearts with family members, friends, co-workers, and even the strangers who do not yet know you or the Jesus whom you serve. He equips us to share Christ with people of all nations, races and ages. What happened on the day of Pentecost is still happening right now. And all you have to do to receive His Holy Spirit power is to ask the Father for it…
Dear Father, I pray today for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit. Fill us up with Your Word, so that we may share the love of your Son, Jesus Christ with the world! Give us a desire and determination to reach outside our personal comfort zone and hold hands with our neighbors, especially the ones with whom we do not see eye to eye. Give us your eternal love language today, for it is only Your Word that draws all people to you. I ask this in the name of my precious Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who died to save us all, Amen.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO
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