CCC Gainesville | Blog
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4
Dear heavenly Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we praise you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, whose ministries are as multiple as they are magnificent. Though invisible, the evidence of his work is everywhere.
It is only by your Spirit that we even believe the gospel. He convicted us of our sins, gave us eyes to see Jesus and faith to trust him. Indeed, by the Spirit, we’ve been born again, and are no longer dead in our sins and trespasses. Father, we praise you for the new birth and new life in Jesus. And yet there’s so much more for which to be grateful.
By the Spirit, you sealed us forever as your beloved people. He’s the firstfruits of our final redemption—the guarantee that one Day we’ll live with the whole family of God, in the new heaven and new earth. He’s the wedding ring wrapped around our hearts—the sign and security of our betrothal to Jesus—our loving Bridegroom.
It’s by the Spirit we hear you telling us we’re your beloved children—guiltless and condemnation free. Through the Spirit we learn more of the glory and grace of Jesus, for he is constantly drawing attention to our Savior. And by the Spirit’s power, we’re enabled to put to death everything in us that contradicts the gospel. Oh, the peace we have knowing the Spirit is making us more and more like Jesus—for it wouldn’t happen otherwise.
We can pray and worship you acceptably, Father, only through the Spirit; and we’re comforted to know he ceaselessly prays inside of us—even when we’re too distracted, or too broken, to pray. And through the Spirit, you’ve gifted for service and empowered for mission. Hallelujah, many times over.
Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we hear afresh your command that we be filled with the Spirit. So may it be, to your glory and our growth. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and loving name. — Scotty Smith
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