Daily Reading: Acts 2:1-47
Receive the Holy Spirit
What do you need to hear, see, or feel to believe? It seems like an easy question, but we have these big prayers we send to God that sometimes feel unanswered. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ask big prayers because that is part of the relationship. It is also part of the relationship to understand where and when God has shown up.
In the Scripture for the day, the Holy Spirit shows up in a big way. There was the roaring of a mighty windstorm and flames or tongues of fire settled upon them.
For me the things I need to hear, see, or feel are the things I have heard, seen, or felt and then knew that God was with me. So I have to wonder if the windstorm reminded of them of that time they were on a boat and Jesus calmed the storm. The tongues of fire may have reminded them of their youth and hearing about the story of Moses and the burning bush or of a time more recently when Jesus cooked them fish after the resurrection around a fire.
For those that weren’t the disciples, they heard their own language. There is comfort in that. In the chaos of life, being able to understand what is being said is comforting. The understanding doesn’t stop there though. When Peter begins to preach, he tells of who Jesus is by sharing words they have heard before from Joel and David.
Then the question changes from “what do we need to hear, see, or feel to believe?” to “what do we need to do?” Peter replies in verse 38, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
The chapter and the story continue though. Many believed right there. They repented, were baptized and changed. Some weren’t quite ready yet and were able to see, hear and feel more miraculous sign from the apostles. But for me, maybe the coolest growth that showed up in the community that day was the unity and fellowship that began to take place.
Questions:
1. What do you need to hear, see, or feel to believe?
2. What do you need to do? Repent and choose Jesus (be baptized if that hasn’t happened yet).
3. Where are you seeing the Holy Spirit at work in your midst today?
Daily Prayer:
“Lord, make your presence known to us this day. Forgive us our sins. Let us share Your presence with others as we go about our day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
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