Aside from the title of the post, today is a significant day for Christians everywhere. That is because today marks the gift of the Holy Spirit-bestowed upon all believers.
In earlier times everyone spoke the same language, shared customs and cultures living in harmony together. Then men of the time decided that they could be their own "DIYer Higher Power," without the need of God to attain entrance to Heaven. So they built a Tower in Babel for that purpose. God witnessed what they were doing and toppled the Tower muddled their speech, and scattered them to the ends of the Earth. This created a lasting division that separated God (at least temporarily) from humanity.
After a time, God chose Abraham to be the seed of nations for those that would again worship Him. Abraham was called righteous, because of his obedience to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit has been shown throughout the Old Testament by miracles and prophesies, but the Spirit was not a gift for everyone until after the crucifixion.
Jesus promised his disciples that he would send a helper or advocate to lead them, but that they would need to wait for that help to come.
Josh discussed the fear and uncertainty that the disciples likely felt as they waited in the Upper Room. Not only does Grace happen when we are obedient, something even more remarkable happened on a the first Feast of Harvest following Jesus' resurrection.
The sound of a violent wind entered the room and tongues of fire came to rest upon them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues.
The sound caused a crowd to gather outside of the dwelling. And each one heard their own language being spoken. The two prevailing reactions were; "What does this mean?" and one of mockery "They have had too much wine."
Peter steps up and rebukes those mockers reminding them it is only nine o'clock in the morning. By the Spirit, Peter recites the prophet Joel in Acts 2:17-21:
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams . . .
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Peter experienced the last days then, just as we in the present are experiencing last days in our time. By faith we are saved, by Spirit we are to proclaim The Gospel.
By the power of the Holy Spirit we are gifted to say and do the right thing at the right time according to the needs of others. Until His final judgement, we have one foot in the old world and one foot in the new one. In the new one we are granted love for the rest of eternity.
The Holy Spirit has been unleashed upon the whole world and we are the messengers.
So let us rely on the Spirit to guide us and allow the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts to always be acceptable in His sight.
As the Spirit leads us to speak-proclaim the Good News.
As the Spirit wills us to act-obey.
In your quiet time of prayer, "Be still and know that I am God." Ps 46:10
Peace and Love