From Believers to Disciples
Friday, June 1, 2007
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“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Praise God for the truth of His word that all of us may receive and be filled with the Holy Spirit!
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your presence in my life! Fill me anew with Your Spirit that I may be a bold witness of your great grace and salvation. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
As we read God’s word this week, we will examine short sections of Acts 2:1-21 each day since it is a rather lengthy passage.
1On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one lace. 2Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
13But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
14Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
17‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
18In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.
19And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below—blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives.
21But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
Look at the promise in Acts 2:21. What does it say about our taking the message of Jesus to others?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
What does Acts 2:21 say about going deeper in our walk with Jesus?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
Peter tells us that EVERYONE who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Think of those you know who have not yet called on the name of the Lord. Take some time to pray for them, and to ask God to give you the opportunity to speak with them about their need for Jesus and salvation!
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
This week will be the last week of daily Bible studies at least until the fall. With everyone’s schedule being sporadic over the summer, we will continue to provide the Read Through the Bible readings in the Lifeline, so be sure to keep up with your readings throughout the summer. Also, why not use this week to prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do as a result of the Living in the Spirit series. We always receive the Holy Spirit and His power in order to be equipped to go and serve in Jesus’ name. Take some time each day to ask God to show you how to continue serving in your current ministries or what new ministry He has for you!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
A Personal Request!
In God’s timing today is the day we read Acts 2:21—But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This day—June 1—is the day that I have been praying about for a long time, because my oldest brother, Jim, will be with us for Abby’s graduation. God has been prompting me to use the day to talk to Jim about the Lord. I ask you to pray for Jim, and for his heart to be open to the message. He lives in Portland, Oregon, so my opportunities to speak with him face to face are few. I pray that today will be the day when Jim rejects a life-long rejection of Jesus, and trusts Him as Savior and Lord. Please, join me in that prayer.