On the day of Pentecost the Spirit of God came like a mighty wind and the believers “were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:3 ESV). A crowd of thousands of people in Jerusalem were “amazed and perplexed” by what they experienced that day. Peter quickly addressed the crowd and informed them that the resurrected Jesus had sent the Spirit of God, just as he had promised. The response to Peter’s message was a question, “what should we do?” (Acts 2:37 TLB). Their question applies to each of us no matter if we are a believer or not. What should we do? If you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ, what should you do? Peter instructed the crowd of thousands of people in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost to “repent and be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 NIV).

 

If you already are a believer and you’ve been baptized, remember what Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:8. We are witnesses of the resurrection power of God transforming lives, including our own. Jesus has sent us to go make disciples and be his witnesses in our homes, community, central Indiana, and throughout the world. Jesus promised that the Spirit is with us forever, helping us to proclaim the Good News and empowering us to live as the united body of Christ, a royal priesthood, and a church family (John 14:16, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:27, 1 Peter 2:9, 5:9).

 

 

This week you are invited to read Psalm 84 to begin your devotional time with the Lord each day, then read the daily Bible verses, and conclude your time praying using the hymn lyrics for “Spirit of the Living God” that are printed below.

 

Hymn: “Spirit of the Living God” by Daniel Iverson

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

 

Read Psalm 84 as a way to center yourself in the living God.

 

Read John the Baptist’s message about Jesus in John 1:29-34.

 

Pray using the lyrics of “Spirit of the Living God,” then share your own prayer in response to the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

 

 

Listen to “Holy Water” by We the Kingdom using the link below for the YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0xhhG1Hyos

 

Read Jesus’ message about being “born again” in John 3:1-8.

 

Pray using the lyrics of “Spirit of the Living God,” then share your own prayer in response to Jesus and the Spirit.

 

 

Read Psalm 84 as a way to center yourself in the living God.

 

Read Jesus’ message about loving him and the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-26. What are some of the things Jesus reveals about the Spirit?

 

Pray using the lyrics of “Spirit of the Living God,” then share your own prayer in response to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

 

Watch the “Holy Spirit” Bible Project video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNNZO9i1Gjc

 

Read about the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-21.

 

Pray using the lyrics of “Spirit of the Living God,” then share your own prayer in response to what you read from Acts 2.

 

 

Watch the “United Methodist Beliefs: Baptism” video on YouTube:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRZZuDBBwo

 

Read a continuation of Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:22-41. Notice how the crowd responded to the evidence of the Holy Spirit and the bold message Peter  shared about Jesus.

 

Pray using the lyrics of “Spirit of the Living God,” then share your own prayer in response to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

 

Read Psalm 84 as a way to center yourself in the living God.

 

Read about the earliest Christian community after the Holy Spirit came upon them on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:42-47. What do you notice about the community of believers?

 

Within the membership vows, when joining the United Methodist Church, we pledge to faithfully participate in the life and ministries of our local congregation through our  prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. How do you see those five being lived within the lives of the earliest Christians in Acts 2:42-47?

 

Are you faithfully participating in the life and ministries of the church through your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness? If not, perhaps this is a way the Holy Spirit is reminding you that we can not become a church like the one described in Acts 2 unless each member faithfully participates in the life and ministries of the church. The Holy Spirit empowered the earliest Christians to live and love like Christ. If you are a

born again believer, the Spirit is empowering you too!

 

Pray using the lyrics of “Spirit of the Living God,” then share your own prayer in response to what you read in Acts 2.

 

Consider observing the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:

 

How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

 

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online on a computer.