WATCHWORD:
6 So when Peter, John and James were with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore your kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud. Acts 1:6-9
1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:1-4.
Meditation:
Spiritual Ears
What is God saying to us in the scope and flow of our lives, even through those rough places we would rather not revisit? Are you listening? His Spirit is speaking.
For the disciples, at first it was something different. Perhaps they all knew what John, Peter and James had witnessed in Jesus ascending to God. So, when they were told to stay in Jerusalem until the “Helper”, a “Comforter” would come that would somehow take the place of Jesus, they stayed. That is not what they wanted. The wanted Jesus to stay, but they had no choice. So, they waited.
They didn’t know what to expect, when they gathered in the temple on that 50th day. They truly were unprepared for the storm that filled the holy place and then found its way into each of their hearts. The difference between pre-Pentecost disciples and post, was like night and day. Their work of planting the teachings of Jesus in the world took on more meaning and more power.
You and I, because we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are, in effect, Post- Pentecost disciples. Yes, disciples. We are children of God. The pattern of our lives, every living, breathing moment of it, has been shaped by a loving and all-powerful God. More than that, we have a life-force within us, the Holy Spirit, that is Our Helper, that is Our Comforter, that is the presence of Jesus within. It’s true we need to train our spiritual ears and to have confidence to hear the murmurings of the Holy Spirit that is always there, always speaking to us, always directing and encouraging us. Listen.
When we consider the scope and flow of our lives. The difficult times we’ve had to endure and persevere through. When we are honest and candid with ourselves, we know that because of those times, we have been strengthened and have grown directed by nudges and the influence of the Holy Spirit throughout the span of our lives. Were you listening? We need sensitive and attentive ‘spiritual ears’ every breathing moment of our lives. Are you listening?
Bulletin Board:
This coming Saturday’s Watchword carries the title How to be Nothing. Curious? Tune in. — Stan
Praying Psalm 95:1-8:
Oh, come, let us sing to the Lord! Give a joyous shout in honor of the Rock of our salvation! Come before him with thankful hearts. Let us sing him psalms of praise. For the Lord is a great God, the great King of[a] all gods. He controls the formation of the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains; all are his. He made the sea and formed the land; they too are his. Come, kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is our God. We are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, Lord, help us to hear more clearly when your Holy Spirit speaks, and guard us against the hardening of our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Amen
