Tag: faith

Morning Reading: Acts 2.14-21 NLT – signs and wonders

Reading: Acts 2:14-21 NLT

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. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that.

“No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:

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‘In the last days,’ God says,

‘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 even on 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 become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved….’”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Pour out your Spirit on us today. Speak words of prophecy… show us dreams and visions… fill your servants with your Spirit. Give us the words to speak that will turn this generation to you… people from every tribe and nation. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual  Song: “How Great Is Our God” – Chris Tomlin

Morning Reading: Acts 2.1-13 NLT – amazed

Reading: Acts 2:1-13 NLT

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

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Pentecost by He Qi

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 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.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. 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 ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Give me the patience and persistence in prayer of these early believers… to wait expectantly for the outpouring of your Spirit. And when he comes, give me the boldness to praise you and tell others about the wonderful things you have done in Jesus Christ… in whatever culture or language you place me. Come Holy Spirit… rain down… on me. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Holy Spirit Rain Down” – Russell Fragar

Morning Reading: Acts 1.12-26 NLT – Judas replaced

Reading: Acts 1.12-26 NLT

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.

Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”

(Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines. The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”)

Apostle Matthias By Duccio, 1308-1311
Apostle Matthias
By Duccio, 1308-1311
Museo dell Opera del Duomo, Florence

Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’

“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus — from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give me the decision-making wisdom of the Apostles… to search the Scriptures for guidance… to come up with Godly alternatives… to pray for your will to be done… and to trust the you for the outcome. To God be the glory. Amen.

Hymn: “Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim” – Charles Wesley (1744)

Trinity Sunday: What Is the Trinity?

It’s a mystery….

Biltrix's avatarBiltrix

Bishops like to practice the tradition of quizzing confirmation candidates during the rite of confirmation. On one occasion, a particular Bishop asked one of the candidates to explain the Mystery of the Trinity. The shy teenaged girl mumbled softly, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” The bishop, who did not hear her answer clearly, said, “Excuse me, I didn’t understand.” The  girl spoke up and answered, “You’re not supposed to understand,  it’s a mystery.”

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Holy Trinity Sunday: John 16:12-15 NLT – Holy, Holy, Holy

Reading: John 16:12-15 NLT

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The Holy Trinity an Orthodox wall painted icon at the ceiling of the entrance (πρόστωον) Vatopedion Monastery at Agion Oros (Mount Athos), Greece.

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.

“He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

“All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me….’”

Prayer: Holy Spirit – Guide me, teach me, lead me… so that I might glorify the Son… and so honor the Father… in justice, truth, and mercy. Amen.

Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy! (Savior and King)” – Reginald Heber (1826)