May 31, 2009

 Acts 2:1-47 

The Holy Spirit Comes

 ***

Acts

On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus' resurrection, the believers were meeting together in one place.  Suddenly there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting.  Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.  And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Godly Jews from many nations were living in Jerusalem at that time.  When they heard this sound, they came running to see what it was all about, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were beside themselves with wonder.  "How can this be?" they exclaimed.  "These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking the languages of the lands where we were born!  Here we are--Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya toward Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabians.  And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!"  They stood there amazed and perplexed.  "What can this mean?" they asked each other.  But others in the crowd were mocking.  "They're drunk, that's all!" they said.

Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, "Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem!  Make no mistake about this.  Some of you are saying these people are drunk.  It isn't true!  It's much too early for that.  People don't get drunk by nine o'clock in the morning.  No, what you see this morning was predicted centuries ago by the propehet Joel.

'In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.  In those days, I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy.  And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below--blood and fire and clouds of smoke.  The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred, before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.  And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

"People of Israel, listen!  God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing wonderful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.  But you followed God's prearranged plan.  With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and murdered him.  However, God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life again, for death could not keep him in its grip.  King David said this about him:

'I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.  No wonder my heart is filled with joy and my mouth shouts his praises!  My body rests in hope.  For you will not leave my soul among the dead, or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.  You have shown me the way of life and you will give me wonderful joy in your presence.'

Dear brothers, think about this!  David wasn't referring to himself when he spoke those words I have quoted, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us.  But he was a prophet and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David's own descendants would sit on David's throne as the Messiah.  David was looking into the future and predicting the Messiah's resurrection.  He was saying that the Messiah would not be left among the dead and that his body would not rot in the grave.

This prophecy was speaking of Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and we all are witnesses of this.  Now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand.  And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.  For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies making them a footstool under your feet.'  So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!

Peter's words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?

Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins.  Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles--all who have been called by the Lord our God."  Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeneners.  "Save yourselves from this generation that has gone astray."

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church--about three thousand in all.  They joined with the other believers, and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer.  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.  And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had.  They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need.  They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.  And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. 

*** 

Thoughts...

There are times when there are few words left to say.  Peter said it all.  You, too can rest in hope.  You have been shown the way of life.  Call on him today.  And walk forth praising God...giving them all the glory!  Ask Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Spirit.  Only he can.  Do it today.  You will be so glad. 

***

Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I am assured that if I just call your name you will come.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit come now into my heart and my soul.  Forgive me of my sins.  Make me whole.  Please place your Holy Spirit into me.  I wish to receive all the love and fruits and gifts you have to give me.  Remove all traces of Satan in my life.  Fill all those areas left void by Satan leaving with your Holy Spirit, so that Satan can never enter those areas again.  Give me a sign that I am yours and you are mine.   Baptize me with the fullness of your Holy Spirit.  Reign over me.  Walk with me...isn't that what you say?  Lead the way.  Uplift me to new heights of love and glory with you.  Enrapture me with your love for me.  Help me to be equal in loving you.  Help me to lay down my life for you.  And do things for you as thanksgiving.  Call on me to serve you and yours, and show me the way.  There is a new dawn coming...it is here in my life now...today.  Let the sun only set on your glory.  I praise you Almighty God, Jesus and Holy Spirit and say thank you.  Thank you and thank you again, and again, and again.  Now, give me utterance for your glory, that I may go forth praising your name and telling others about you.  Let my life be a testimony of your love for me and may it be an expression of our new life together.  St. Exupery said, "Love is not looking at each other, but gazing outward in the same direction."  Let us so be one, that our vision comes from one source...you.  Let me give you myself, as you have given yourself to me.  Enbolden me and emblazon me.  Let me share with others all that you have shared with me....for your glory, Lord.  Your glory.   I love you.  Thank you God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  Alleluia for the Trinity and Amen!  

***

Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

***

Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

***

***

If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

***

  Our NEW Current Cause

My family and I, and the church are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  If God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for the church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check and I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

 Melinda Norstad, Minister

***

 Checks can be made out to

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Church of the Holy Spirit

P.O. Box 86076

Tucson, Arizona

85754-6076

If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

1-866-402-GIFT

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mountain Time

As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

We hope to be integrating Pay Pal soon for your convenience.

  ***

    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'

 "Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

  Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

***

***

I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

***

 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

Scriptures may be taken from the New Living Translations website.

 *