Mark 16:19, 20
Luke 24:50-53
Acts 1:1-2:47
After Jesus had ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives, His
followers returned to Jerusalem, as He had instructed. Ten days later, on the
Day of Pentecost, they all gathered together to pray. Then, a violent rushing
wind entered the room where they were and startled them. Next, tongues of fire
hovered over them, and they began to speak in languages that were not their
own.
This event caused such an uproar that a crowd began to gather.
Foreigners were shocked to hear preaching in their own language, especially
from those who were not native to their country. Someone even accused the
“Jesus followers” of being drunk; but, Peter calmed everyone down and pointed
out that God had predicted this event in Scripture. The prophet Joel had
written that the Lord would pour out His Spirit on the people and they would
tell the good news of His salvation (Joel 2:28-32). Peter then shared the Gospel with those who
would listen and three thousand people were saved that day!
The Holy Spirit is the most difficult member of the Trinity to
comprehend. He is God, a nonmaterial, omnipresent, omniscient, and holy Being
who dwells in us. He is the Helper to whom Jesus referred, a Helper with the
same power which raised Him from the grave (John 14:15- 17; 16:5-15).
The Spirit’s purpose is to enable us to live the Christian
life. He
transforms our mind, our heart, our will, and our actions to glorify Christ. He
convicts us of our sins. He leads us into all truth and helps us to remember
God’s Word. He also protects our souls for eternity. Every person who has given
his life to Christ has the Holy Spirit dwelling within him, to empower him to
become conformed to the image of Christ
(1
Corinthians 3:16; Romans 8:29).
Daily Reflection
What are some evidences that the Holy Spirit resides in a person?
The first response that we see from those who were filled with the
Spirit at Pentecost is that they were empowered to witness. If the
Spirit of God is in you, you will not only desire to tell others about Jesus,
you will be compelled to do so. You will not be able to contain the Gospel
message of salvation.
What if you do not sense that desire to share Christ with others? What
does that mean? It could mean several things. First, it could mean that you may
not have the Holy Spirit within you, that you are not saved, but that you have
been deceiving yourself. Second, it could mean that you have ignored the
Spirit’s leading in your life, so much that you are no longer sensitive to His
prompting. Third, it could mean that you have been disobedient to God and there
is sin in your life. Your sin has grieved the Spirit and you are not available
or willing to allow Him access to all areas of your life.
Know that for the Spirit to empower you to do God’s work, you
must make yourself available to Him. He desires to glorify Christ in you, to conform
you into His image, and to bear fruit of His influence in your life. Will you
let Him?
BiAY.org | Day 311 — 54 Days to Go
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