Musings from My Sun Porch

Category: Blog

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 4

    As Jesus began His earthly ministry and mission, Luke recounts several key events in chapter 4 of his Gospel.  He begins by telling us about Jesus’ temptation by Satan.  Luke’s account focuses on Jesus’ connection with His Father.

    • In verse 1, he tells us that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit,” a reminder to each of us that we all need the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish anything for God.
    • Then, Luke lets us know that Jesus was also fasting during that period.  “He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry” (Luke 4:2b NIV84). Jesus was both God and man, so like us, not eating for 40 days creates not just extreme hunger, but also weakness.  It is in those times of weakness that Satan is more likely to attack, and he certainly took full advantage of Jesus’ weakness. Unlike us, Jesus didn’t give in to the temptation.  Why?  First, because He had the power of the Holy Spirit, but also because He knew and relied on God’s Word.  Each of His responses to Satan’s temptations was based on Holy Scripture, reminding us of how important it is to know the Word!
    • Next, we find Jesus returning to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14a NIV84). He was ready to begin teaching the people, and He did so with the Holy Spirit’s help.  Those who teach must rely on the power of the Spirit if they are to teach the Word in power and in truth!
    • After Jesus spent His time teaching, healing, and casting out demons, Luke tells us how He began the next day of His ministry.  “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place” (Luke 4:42a NIV84).  He was God! Still, He sought quiet time with His Father. 

    This brief look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry reminds us that we can do nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit, the strength of God’s Holy Word, and our quiet time with our Father.  Prayer, fasting, reading, and memorizing Scripture are essential not just to a Christian’s walk with God, but also to them having the strength to fulfill the mission that He gave us.  You can tell others only if you first trust and depend on God’s power.  That requires spending time with Him.  Don’t neglect prayer or Scripture reading.  Jesus didn’t, and if it was important to Him, it certainly should be important to us!

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 3

    Chapter 2 of Luke’s Gospel ends with Mary and Joseph frantically searching for their pre-teen son, who is the Son of God.  I can’t imagine the panic they must have felt!  Ultimately, they found Him right where you would expect Him to be—in the Temple. 

    For the next 18 years (approximately), the Scripture is silent concerning the events of Jesus’ life.  I’m sure many of us often wonder what Jesus was like as a child and as a teenager, but that information wasn’t important to His life work, so other than this encounter at the Temple, we know nothing.

    Then, as the years pass, we are reintroduced to Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist—the voice crying in the wilderness.  John preached repentance as he prepared the way for the One whose sandals he was not worthy to untie (Luke 3:16). His message included instructions to share with the needy, do your job well and fairly, and be content with what you have.  For all his efforts, John was ultimately imprisoned by Herod and eventually killed.

    Baptism was a key part of John’s ministry, and Christ was only one of the many whom he baptized, although John did so reluctantly.  Jesus’ ministry began that day, and the Trinity confirmed both His identity and His mission. “… the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘… You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:22b NIV84).

    Are there life lessons for us in Luke 3?  I think there are at least three.

    • Don’t be afraid to speak out against sin, regardless of the consequences.  We live in an age where it’s easier to remain silent than to speak the Truth.  We need boldness like John, even if it costs us our “heads”.
    • John made it very clear that we are expected to “produce fruit” in our lives (Luke 3:8).  We need to examine ourselves to see if there is sincere change in our lives, and we can’t produce fruit without staying connected to the Vine.
    • Jesus’ life teaches us the patience of waiting.  Jesus very clearly knew His role at age 12 when He conversed with the Religious Leaders, to their amazement.  Yet, He had to wait another 18 years until God’s perfect timing for His mission was revealed.  I’m not good at waiting, but I am quite confident that “wait” is often the message we hear from God.  Remember His timing is always perfect, so be patient!  Stay faithful, keep doing what you are doing, and rest in the assurance that He will direct your paths when His timing is perfect.

  • Lesson 2 from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 2

    As Luke begins Chapter 2 of his Gospel, he reminds us that God has been at work throughout all of history.  The Old Testament prophets told us that the Messiah would be born in the small city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).  However, Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, a somewhat obscure place in Northern Israel, some 80 to 90 miles from Bethlehem.  Joseph was a simple carpenter, so the odds of him traveling to Bethlehem on his own were slim to none.  Yet, God used the governing authorities to fulfill His prophecy given over 700 years before the birth of Christ. 

    Then, God surprises us again with the announcement of Jesus’ birth. No matter how many times I read the story, I’m still drawn to the account of the shepherds.  Of all the people in the world—rich, powerful, and famous—why did God choose smelly, uncultured shepherds to announce the birth of the Messiah? I don’t know His reasoning, but I think their reaction to the angels’ announcement confirms that He made the right choice. 

    The shepherds not only believed what the angels told them, but they immediately decided to see this great blessing for themselves.  Then, after they had found the baby just as the angels said, they began to spread the word that the Messiah had been born.  What a privilege it was to be the first human beings to proclaim that the long-awaited Savior had been born!

    So, what do we learn from this account of the birth of our Savior?

    • As our world seems to spin out of control at times, we can take comfort in knowing that our God is still in control.  He is still orchestrating all of history towards that great day when Christ will return to claim His bride.  What a glorious day that will be!
    • God not only moves and communicates in unexpected ways, but He also uses unexpected people to spread His message.  Would we have chosen the shepherds to announce the birth of the Messiah?  Probably not, but why?  Possibly because we wouldn’t consider them good enough to make such a world-changing announcement.  However, that’s part of the goodness of our God.  His message of salvation is for everyone, from the very lowest to the highest.  He doesn’t judge by the outward appearance; He looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7). By using the shepherds—outcasts of society—God reminds us that He is concerned only with our souls.  Our position, our power, our prestige is immaterial to Him.  “For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11 NIV84).  God calls each one of us, from the lowest to the highest, to be His child.  It’s up to us as to how we will answer the call.

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 1

              Chapter 1 of Luke’s Gospel introduces us to Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly couple who were faithful to God but had no children.  While serving in the Holy of Holies, Zechariah encountered an angel of the Lord who announced that the couple would soon be blessed with a son.  Zechariah, knowing that their ages were against them, challenged the angel’s announcement and was given the silent treatment for the entire pregnancy as a result. 

              In contrast, the angel Gabriel also appeared to a young virgin to announce that she had been chosen as the mother of the Lord’s Messiah.  Mary wasn’t quite sure how such a thing could happen, but unlike Zechariah’s doubts, Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38 NIV84).

              So, what do we learn from these two very different encounters with God’s messengers?

    • God moves in unexpected ways.  We often put God in a box, and by doing so, we limit Him to what we perceive as normal activities.  God is Sovereign and can do more than we can begin to imagine, so when you trust Him, expect the unexpected!
    • God sometimes uses unexpected ways to communicate with us.  I can’t say I have knowingly encountered an angel, but I know of others who are quite sure that they have.  I have had the Lord speak to me through a dream.  I’ve felt the nudge, or more often, the conviction of the Holy Spirit to take a step of faith.  I’ve also read Bible passages that suddenly reveal a new Truth I hadn’t seen before, and I have wise Christian friends who often give good counsel. The key is to be open to how God may be speaking to you.  Listening is not always something we do well, but you can’t “hear” if you don’t “listen.”
    • Physical limitations do not limit God.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were old; Mary was very young.  All three were available and willing to serve God, and they were used for God’s purpose and glory.  We must recognize that while we have breath, God can use us if we make ourselves available to Him.

  • I’m Back!

    Good morning, Friends,

    Musings from My Sun Porch are back! I’ve spent the last two months seeking discernment for my writing and other opportunities to serve my Lord.  I’m now teaching or co-teaching three separate Bible studies, so I’m spending a lot of quality time in God’s Word.  However, I still feel that He is calling me to continue my writing in some form, whether it be this blog, another book, or some other path.  So, until He gives me a new direction, here is my plan.  I’m going to continue this blog, but I’ll only post on Tuesday mornings, unless God lays something specific on my heart that I feel the need to share. 

    Initially, the blog posts will primarily be drawn from my Bible Studies on the Gospel of Luke.  We’ll look at each chapter of Luke’s Gospel and draw out some of his lessons for putting our faith in action. I hope that these insights will be a blessing to you.

                                                                          The Sun Porch Lady

  • The Sun Porch Lady is Taking a Sabbatical

    If I have counted correctly, this is my 400th blog post since I first began on October 4th, 2022. Writing has always been a joy to me (I know, I’m a little weird).  Even in school, term papers were always something I relished.  If I could write a paper instead of taking a test, I was all in. 

    Over the last three and a half years, I’ve laughed and cried over some of my posts.  The laughter was usually the result of the good memories that I recalled.  The tears were usually because the message that God laid on my heart was to convict me, regardless of whether it convicted anyone else.  My goal has always been to keep my writing true to Scripture, and as a result, I have studied the Bible more than ever before.  I truly believe that the Holy Spirit inspired at least 95% of my posts, so the credit is all His, not mine.

    Lately, however, I think that God is leading me to take a break.  I feel that He is prompting me towards something, but I’m just not sure what that “something” is.  I know that it has been increasingly difficult to come up with a topic for each post, which was seldom an issue in the past.  For these reasons, I’m taking a sabbatical from blogging.  This will be my last regular post until August 4th.  During this time, I’ll be focusing on my regular Bible studies, rekindling my love of reading, and spending time seeking the Lord’s guidance for what lies ahead. 

    If you would like to continue to receive my blog when it restarts, please send your e-mail address to me at thesunporchlady@gmail.com.  Upon receipt, I will send you a list of 10 Scriptures you can pray over your children and family members.  I will also add you to my subscribers, which will give you immediate access to each blog post.  If you are currently subscribed through “follow.it”, it will no longer be active, so you will need to resubscribe.  During the Sabbatical, I may also post an occasional list of other Scriptures that you may find helpful, but you will need to subscribe to receive those.  Your e-mail will not be used for any other purpose and will not be given or sold to any other person or entity.

    I have no idea what God has in store for this next chapter of retirement, but I look forward to staying focused on those “good works which He has prepared in advance for me to do” (Ephesians 2:10).  I hope you will stay connected so that you can join me on the journey.  Don’t forget to send me your e-mail at thesunporchlady@gmail.com

  • Another Remedy for the Out-of-Control Life

    We’ve all had situations where we wonder, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  First, there are no “good” people.  Romans 3:23 makes it clear that “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NIV84).  The only “good” in our lives is because of the blood of Jesus that washes us clean.

    Secondly, Jesus gave us the answer, “In this world you will have trouble….” (John 16:33b NIV84).  Christ told us trouble would come, so we shouldn’t be surprised when it arrives.  Thankfully, He didn’t stop there.  He continued, “…But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33c NIV84).  Through Christ, we have the power to handle any trouble that comes our way, so how should we face our troubles?

    Paul recognized that our greatest defense against the troubles of this world is prayer.  In his letter to the Philippians, he said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6, 7 NIV84).  Notice, he didn’t say “scream and yell at God, demanding His help.”  He said pray “with thanksgiving” as you present your requests to God.  If anyone knew how hard it is to be thankful in the middle of trouble, it was Paul.  He received 39 lashes on 5 separate occasions.  He was beaten with rods three times, stoned once, and shipwrecked three times (II Corinthians 11:24, 25).  He didn’t even list the number of times that he was imprisoned. That is a lot of “trouble.”  Yet, he continued his mission despite the trouble, and he never stopped praising his Lord (verse 31). 

    Being well-trained in the Jewish religion, I’m sure Paul knew the story of Hezekiah and the battle with the Assyrian army.  Assyria had already conquered Israel when its army invaded Judah and threatened Jerusalem. Hezekiah assembled his army and said, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.  With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and fight our battles” (II Chronicles 32:7 – 8a NIV84).  The apostle, John, said it like this. “…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (I John 4:4b NIV84).

    Life will have trouble and pain and may appear to spin out of control.  Don’t despair.  God still reigns, and He not only “sees” His children but also provides for them.  Does that mean we will be free from trouble? No, but it does mean that He will be with us every step of the way.  Trust Him!  Satan may give it his best shot against us, but we win in the end because we have a Savior who has already won the victory.  Pray with thanksgiving to the one who walks beside us and be strong and courageous!

    II Corinthians 11:16 – 33; II Chronicles 32:1 – 8

  • The Remedy for an Out-of-Control Life

    “My life is out of control!”  How many times have you said those words or at least thought them?  I’ve had many of those days throughout my life, and even now, being retired is not without its challenges.  There are always the routines of life, such as doing laundry, cleaning house, and putting food on the table.  Those things alone can be exhausting, but when we add family activities, Bible studies, and serving opportunities, our lives seem out of control. 

    Jesus’ disciples felt that same kind of stress. “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat…” (Mark 6:30 – 31a NIV84). Did you catch that?  Their lives were so out of control that they didn’t even have time to eat!  Fortunately, Christ had the solution. “…he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:31b – 32 NIV84).

    Out-of-control lives are often the norm in our fast-paced world.  The question is, how will we handle the stress that life brings?  Unfortunately, our sinful nature often evokes grumbling and complaining, just as the Israelites did in the desert (Numbers 14:26, 27), or we might throw a “pity party” as Elijah did (I Kings 19:1 – 4). However, Christ reminds us that there is a better solution.

    First and foremost, we must make time to spend with our Savior.  Even Jesus sought time with His Heavenly Father (Mark 1:35).  How much more important is it for us to spend time with our Father? The Scripture reminds us that “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak… those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29, 31 NIV84).  Time with Jesus renews us.

    In addition to our quiet time with our Savior, we also need rest.  Jesus called the disciples to a quiet place to get some rest. God set the pattern when He rested on the seventh day of His creation (Genesis 2:2).  Throughout Scripture, He emphasized the need for rest.  The Sabbath, while primarily a day of worship, was also a day of rest.  He ordered the Israelites to give the land a year of rest (Leviticus 25:5), and He promised to give them rest (Exodus 33:14).  Jesus renewed that promise in Matthew 11:28. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (NIV84).

    The next time you feel the walls closing in or your life spinning out of control, spend some time with your Savior and give your body some much-needed rest.  The Master will help you put things back in perspective.

    Mark 6:30 – 32; Matthew 11:28 – 30

  • Why I Hate Mother’s Day

    Don’t misunderstand me.  I love Mothers and think they are more than worthy of a special day of celebration and praise.  I was blessed with a devoted Mom who not only raised two kids but also helped raise her grandkids.  I cherish her memory.

    So, what do I hate about Mother’s Day? I hate the “all-inclusive” efforts that seek to include every female as a “mother”.  I agree that giving birth is not the only criterion for being called “Mother”.  Many women have adopted and/or fostered children and are very devoted mothers.  Others are grandparents raising their grandchildren.  All these, as well as birth mothers, have earned their day of praise and celebration.

    However, I am opposed to the attempts to include all women in this category.  There are women whose heart’s desire was to be a mother, but for whatever reason, it never happened.  To try to draw them into this “all-inclusive” group only magnifies their hurt and intensifies their pain.  Focusing on what might have been is agony for them, regardless of the good intentions. 

    There is also the attempt to include so-called “Spiritual” mothers in this group.  These are the individuals who have contributed to the Spiritual growth of individuals in their lives.  They may be aunts, older siblings, teachers, coaches, friends’ moms, or others who have had the opportunity to speak into someone else’s life.  I commend them for their efforts and cherish their contributions, but they are not Mothers. 

    To me, a mother is the one who spent sleepless nights agonizing over their sick child.  She is the one who kissed the skinned knees, hugged away the hurts, and agonized over the decisions their child had to make.  A mother teaches right and wrong and then reinforces the lessons with discipline.  She gives advice and then allows her child to make their own decisions, even when it sometimes means they will have to learn from their mistakes.  No matter what her sacrifices or choices are, she is the one who always wonders if she did enough and if she carried out her responsibilities as a mother well. 

    If you haven’t experienced the blood, sweat, and tears of mothering a child, I don’t think you deserve to be called “mother”.  To include every woman in that honor is a form of “stolen valor” that detracts from the sacrifices mothers make and diminishes the honor that should be theirs.

    Call me aunt, teacher, coach, or a friend, but don’t call me “mother.” 

  • El ROI, the God Who Sees Us

    After Sarai gave her maidservant, Hagar, to her husband, Abraham, to help God fulfill His promise of an heir, Hagar became pregnant.  That pregnancy created tension between Sarai and Hagar, and even though Sarai was the instigator, she focused her anger and jealousy on Hagar.  Ultimately, Hagar ran from her mistress and ended up in the desert.  There she had a divine encounter.

    As Hagar sat by a spring in the desert, homeless and with little hope for the future, an angel of the Lord appeared to her.  He began the conversation by asking her where she came from and where she was going (Genesis 16:8).  As the messenger of God, who is all-knowing, the angel already knew the answers, so why ask? Perhaps it was to force her to confront her situation.  Very often, we like to ignore problems and hope they will go away.  By forcing Hagar to articulate her situation, God forced her to face the consequences of her decision to flee.

    Then, the angel instructed Hagar to return to Sarai and be submissive to her.  That would have been a hard pill to swallow, but the angel also added a promise.  “I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count” (Genesis 16:10 NIV84). He went on to name her child, Ishmael. and describe both his personality and his relationship with his brothers. 

    It was at that moment that Hagar gave God a new name, one that is used only once in all of Scripture.  El Roi—the God who sees me.  It was this slave girl at her lowest point in life who realized that the Mighty Creator God sees us as individuals.  That name encapsulates so much of our relationship with God.  He is present in our situations, both good and bad, just as He was with Hagar.  He may allow us to endure difficult times, but we can have the complete assurance that He is with us.  He saw Hagar in that desert just as He sees us in our families, our workplaces, and in our relationships.  Sometimes, He may force us to face our trials rather than ignore them, but He knows that we can’t run away from them.

    Surrendering control to God is not easy, but learning to trust Him in all situations is part of our growth as believers.  We may not always understand His instructions, but we can trust that His timing and His directions are perfect.  Knowing that He “sees” us and knows everything about us is a comfort even in the worst of times.  When times get hard, consider this: The Mighty Creator God “sees” you!  He knows everything about you, and He has your best interests at heart.  He is truly El Roi, the God who sees you!

    Genesis 16:1 – 16

  • The Faithfulness of God

    We often talk about our faith, the trust we have in our God and Savior.  We remember the faith of those who have gone before us and those who have instilled that same faith in us.  Faith and faithfulness are key attributes of our life in Christ.  However, we sometimes overlook our Father’s faithfulness.  We serve a faithful God!

    “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22, 23 NIV84).

    “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago” (Isaiah 25:1 NIV84).

    “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does” (Psalm 33:4 NIV84).

    “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (II Thessalonians 3:3 NIV84).

    “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9 NIV84).

    “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (II Timothy 2:13 NIV84).

    “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV84).

    “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (I Corinthians 1:9 NIV84).

    I can testify that my God is faithful.  He has walked with me through some of the most difficult challenges of my life.  Not only did He bring me through those trials, but He made me stronger in my faith and in my faithfulness to Him.  We can depend on His presence in our lives.  We can trust His promises.  We can be assured that the hope we have in Him is real.  He is faithful! The only question is: will we be faithful to Him?

  • Improving Our Prayer Life

    Last weekend, I attended a Prayer Conference, and today I would like to share some of the things that I learned.

    • Your prayer life will look different as you mature spiritually.  Just as we relate to people differently as we grow, we will also relate to God differently.
    • The foundation for a vibrant prayer life is understanding that God is our Father.  It is a love relationship, and answers to our prayers are our Father’s personal expression of His love for us.
    • Good Fathers both love and hold their children accountable.  Though God loves us, we must also “fear” Him, as our fear is an acknowledgment of God as the authority over our lives.  He is a good Father, and prayer is how we express our understanding of Him. 
    • Rejoice in the Lord! We should be so enthralled with our Father that we constantly look for reasons to give Him thanks.
    • Confession and repentance should be “God-focused.”  If our emphasis is on our guilt, we are “me-focused.”  Being sorry that we have grieved our Father moves us toward a “God-focused” repentance.
    • Remember that Jesus answered every crazy question the Disciples asked.  His answers were not always what they wanted, but He answered.  He will answer us also! His answers will be such that we can understand who He is and what His purpose is.
    • Our God, who hears our requests, is present, all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good!
    • We need to pray for one another.  When we pray together and God answers our requests, it creates a community of gratitude.  You cannot see God move at the level you desire unless you are praying with and for others.
    • Working with God is essential to a relationship with Him.  God answers at any level of spiritual maturity, but power in prayer occurs when we work with our Father in the assignments He gives us.
    • Working with God can change the way we pray, as it changes our outlook as we consider what we can do for Him.  It also causes us to listen more, and we are more likely to hear what God is saying and accept His answer. 

    I hope this message will help each of us to have a more vibrant and powerful prayer life.

  • Promise Keeper

    As some people claimed that the Apostles were drunk, Peter stood up, representing the other eleven.  All thoughts of his denial and desertion were long gone.  He was now ready to assume a position of leadership.  The “old” Peter would probably have argued with the hecklers or even challenged them with a sword.  The “new” Peter had a different tactic.  He used the Word of God. 

    Peter told the crowd there was no reason to be surprised.  This anointing of the Holy Spirit was exactly what the prophet Joel had foretold hundreds of years before.  Joel had prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit and that the Holy Spirit would be for all people (Joel 2:28 – 29).  Peter informed the crowd that this prophecy had now come true, another reminder that God keeps His promises. 

    The promises of God are key to our faith and trust in Him.  As believers in His Son, Jesus Christ, here are just a few of the promises that we can be assured He will keep.

    • If we come to Him, He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28).
    • He has come to give us life to the fullest (John 10:10).
    • He is preparing a place for us and will return for us someday (John 14:2, 3).
    • He comforts us in our troubles (II Corinthians 1:3, 4).
    • We are new creations in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
    • He will complete the work that He began in us (Philippians 1:6).
    • His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
    • He will meet our needs (Philippians 4:19).
    • He has given us new birth into an inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade (I Peter 1:3, 4).
    • If we ask anything, according to His will, He hears us and will provide what we ask (I John 5:14, 15).

    The promises of God are precious blessings for His people.  He is not fickle. He does not change like shifting sand. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind” (Numbers 23:19 NIV84). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV84).

    We serve a God who keeps His promises.  Peter boldly proclaimed that to the people on the day of Pentecost, and we can stand on those promises today!  If He said it, believe it!  It will come to pass in His time.

    Read: Joel 2:28 – 29 & Acts 2:14 – 21

    Food for Thought:

    • Do you believe the promises of God?  If not, why not?  If so, do you live as though you believe them?

  • Responding to God’s Power

    After the Holy Spirit came upon the Disciples, they “began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4b NIV84).  The people who heard them were Jews from various parts of the then-known world, and as they listened, they were both “bewildered” and “amazed”. They knew the Disciples were Galileans, largely uneducated, and what we might call “country bumpkins,” so to hear them speak in various languages seemed utterly preposterous. 

    Even so, they understood enough to recognize that the Disciples were praising God. Some of the people said, “…We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:11b NIV84). However, they had no idea what it all meant. There were others in the crowd who were hecklers.  They weren’t about to believe, no matter what the Disciples said.  They even claimed that the Disciples must be drunk.

    We’ve all probably experienced similar reactions to the miracles of God in our own lives.  When God moves in mighty ways, some marvel at His power and praise Him for His goodness, while others scoff at His power and credit humans with His miracles.  The latter are the ones who not only doubt but attempt to humiliate those who believe in His power.  They may not call us drunk, but they won’t hesitate to call us Bible Thumpers, or Goody Two-Shoes, or Holier-than-Thou, or fanatics.  Unfortunately, some of us probably fall somewhere between these two groups.

    My questions for myself and for you are: Are you actively looking for the power of God in your life?  You may not see Him cause people to speak in other languages or cause a crippled man to walk, but be assured that He is working in power in mighty ways.  Do you purposely look for answers to your prayers, or do you credit His healings to the medical experts?  When hecklers challenge your faith, do you stand firm, as Peter did, or do you hang your head and slowly slip away, hoping you won’t be noticed? 

    Those are questions that can only be answered between each individual and God.  The Psalmist, David, said it like this, “Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. …I wash my hand in innocence, and go about your altar, O Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 26:2 -3, 6 – 7 NIV84.  We can be amazed at the power of our mighty God, or we can sneak away when faced with the unbelief of hecklers.  It’s our choice!

    Read: Acts 2:4 – 13 & Psalm 26

    Food for Thought

    • When you pray for God to move in your life or the life of others, do you look for where He is working?  If not, what do you need to do differently?
    • How can you respond with the love of Jesus to those who “heckle” your belief?

  • A Violent Wind from Heaven

    Jesus’ followers remained in Jerusalem until the Day of Pentecost, ten days after His ascension.  On that day, “suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2 NIV84). Immediately, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised.

    So, who is the Holy Spirit?  He is the third member of the Trinity, but for many of us, this anointing on the day of Pentecost is our first realization of Him and His power.  We don’t seem to catch the fact that He was there at the beginning when “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2b NIV84). He was there when Elizabeth proclaimed that Mary’s child was the Messiah (Luke 1:41).  He was there when Simeon declared “my eyes have seen … your salvation” (Luke 2:27, 30 NIV84) as baby Jesus was presented at the Temple.  He was there when Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:22), and He was the power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19, 20). 

    He is also the gift we receive when we accept Christ as Lord and are baptized with Him (Acts 2:38).  Why then does He remain a mystery to us?  Perhaps it’s because His power and purpose remain a mystery.  Jesus prepared the Apostles and us for the Holy Spirit, and it is from His teaching that we gain a better understanding of who the Holy Spirit is.  During Jesus’ last message before His death, He promised to send the Holy Spirit who would be “a Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16b NIV84).  He explained that the Counselor or Helper would teach and remind us of Jesus’ teachings.  He also convicts the world of guilt and guides us in all truth.

    Life is not always easy, but it should be a comfort to know that we have a “Helper” who is constantly by our side.  He will help us understand the Truth of the Scriptures, and as we grow, He will reveal more and more Truth. We are not alone!  The power that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in us.  What a blessing the Holy Spirit is to us!

    Read: Acts 2:1 – 4, John 14:15 – 21 & 25 – 27, and John 16:5 – 16

    Food for Thought:

    • What do you know about the Holy Spirit?  How can you get to know Him better?
    • How has the Holy Spirit been your Helper and Guide? Share your experiences with someone else.