For years I have heard about Pentecost but until yesterday I never got excited about it! Pentecost is a Christian holy day that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit 40 days after Easter. Acts 2: 1-4 tells us, "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."
The Holy Spirit gives new life in Jesus Christ. Acts 1: 8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;" When you are born again, the Holy Spirit comes upon you. it is a supernatural act. We are saved by God's mercy, not by our acts. We can not earn it. It is a gift of God, the gift of salvation. But you have to receive the gift. You have to repent of your sins and ask Jesus into your heart. It's that simple.
We should be praying that each of us have the Holy Spirit and then the church, which is made of people and not a building, has all of these people with the Holy Spirit, together. "In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Ephesians 2: 21-22 As my minister said, think of a fire. People like to gather around a fire because it gives off light and because of the warmth. Isn't that what God wants our church to be? A warm and bright place in this cold and dark world?
His explanation made me think of the words of "It Only Takes A Spark to Get A Fire Going".
It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That's how it is with God's love
Once you've experienced it
You spread His love to ev'ryone
You want to pass it on
"The Holy Spirit comes to magnify, to glorify and to exalt the Son. Jesus said the Holy Spirit shall not speak of Himself. He comes to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ. He comes to glorify Jesus Christ." (John 16:13-14) As my minister said, going to church should be spiritual not physical. God doesn't want us to just go through the motions because that is what we do on Sunday mornings. God wants our spirit to be filled! I get excited to go to church and I leave excited but today was exceptional. I do not know how to put into words when we sang, " Holy Spirit, You are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for. To be overcome by Your presence, Lord" The Holy Spirit did fill the atmosphere! How often do we welcome Him?
I know I have the power of the Holy Spirit but I have taken it for granted. Yesterday as we sang I could feel the Holy Spirit fill the building! It was amazing! How grateful we should be to have God's Spirit living inside of us. Have we thanked God for this amazing gift?
