A Psalm of Hope
Psalms 23 (MSG) 1-3 GOD, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of GOD
for the rest of my life.
Today my cousin’s husband will be laid to rest in a small cemetery in Conway. The loss caused by death brings a grief like none other, but Psalm 23 assures us that if we follow the Shepherd, He will revive us.
The Message translation provides a fresh outlook on this well-known Psalm. In it I am assured that “I don’t need a thing.” “You let me catch my breath,” and “your beauty and love chase after me.” I am given the calm assurance that God cares for me, lovingly and watchfully.
May we know, believe and understand that because we have a risen savior, death will not have the last word.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Look At Us
Acts 3:1-7 (NIV) 1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Have you noticed sometimes the scriptures appear to just give generalities, while at other times they are quite specific. In today’s scripture we are given the names of the two apostles, where they are going, why, and even the time. The man being carried to the gate had no idea his life was about to change. He was being taken there for one reason—to beg for money.
Peter and John did two things which the beggar did not expect. First, they looked directly at him. How many times do you suppose this crippled man had been overlooked by society? People tend to avert their eyes when they see something unpleasant, but Peter and John did the unexpected. Then, they plainly stated, “Silver and gold have I none, but in Jesus’ name, walk.”
When will we realize that there is power in the name of Jesus?
May we, along with our fellow disciples, keep our eyes upon the One Who will never take his eyes off us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Devotion and dedication
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The final verses in Acts Chapter 2 reflect a model Christian community of its time. There was a unity of believers that extended beyond the church and into home life. Meals were shared, resources were combined and distributed as needs arose, and Christians met daily in the temple courts for worship and for fellowship. This new movement tore down walls of economic disparity and created a community of believers and was a unique expression of love and faith in response to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
So, what does this mean for us today? If we are to model the early Church, what actions do we take?
We must make prayer a priority. In 1 Thess 5;16 we are told to pray without ceasing. Paul means simply to maintain an attitude of prayer. Let turning our face to God be our first response rather than our last resort.
We must read our Bibles daily, for to know God we must know His Word. The more I read God’s Word the more I want to read God’s Word.
We must attend church regularly. Entering into praise and worship and greeting brothers and sisters in Christ is vital in sustaining our faith. And hearing, not just listening, but absorbing a message delivered by a godly preacher is adding fuel to the fire of faith we have for God.
We must give a portion of our funds to the service of God. Never tithe before and not sure how to start? Begin giving a small amount, praying that God will enable you to give more and then being faithful to do so.
May we make a fresh commitment to grow our faith daily, sharing God’s love with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, said the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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LIVING IN POWER
Acts 2:14-21 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
What a difference a day makes! Just one day before, Peter was in hiding. Then, he was transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. And the wonderful thing is that this was not a one-time occurrence! When we surrender our lives to Jesus, then we, too, are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Allow me to ask you this: are you living in the power of the Holy Spirit, or are you living in defeat? Believe me, I am not judging you. I, too, am sometimes overcome by my circumstances. But remember, greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. Make this your declaration and say it boldly today!
May we determine through the power we have been given to look not at our circumstances, but keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Acts 2:1-13 ESV The Coming of the Holy Spirit
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Well, here we are, fellow Christ followers. The beginning of the Church Age. The disciples waited as Jesus had instructed, and the Holy Spirit fell upon these first followers of Christ. And then what happened?
Men and women had huddled together for fifty days, afraid to step outside. I am sure some wondered if they had misunderstood the instructions of Jesus, but that morning their faithfulness was rewarded.
The streets were filled with a diversity of people, all there to celebrate the Festival of Weeks. May I share with you that it was no coincidence that a crowd of people who spoke different languages and had distinct backgrounds witnessed that first Pentecost?
God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us a beautiful picture of the way His grace would be poured out upon all nations. And then Peter, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, boldly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.
May God so empower us today that we will not be afraid to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Take the name of Jesus with you and share Him with all you meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 