Scripture Union Daily Guide 19 May 2024 (Sunday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: The Coming of the Holy Spirit
OPENING PRAYER: Plant my steps in the sure promises of your word today, dear Lord.
SCRIPTURE: ACTS 2:1-13
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
* Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost in fulfilment of God’s age-long promise (Joel 2:28-29; John 16:7). It was the first day of the week, fifty days after Jesus resurrected from the dead and ten days after He ascended to heaven.
Read vs.1-4 again. Being “all together” (“in one accord” – KJV), indicates unity among the disciples as they awaited the promise (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5). Note that the Holy Spirit filled and enabled all of them to speak in languages they never learnt (vs.4-8). The Holy Spirit is for all believers (Acts 2:39). “Wind” and “tongues of fire” symbolize that Holy Spirit purifies and empowers. We also need the infilling of the Spirit and God is willing to fill us (John 7:37-39, Galatians 3:2-3).
Why was the ability to speak in other tongues important on this occasion (vs.5-8)? There were people from fifteen nations in Jerusalem for the Pentecost, a Jewish festival (vs.9-11). So, it was a strategic time (v.1). God wanted everyone to hear the Gospel in their own language, thereby, demonstrating that the Gospel is for all people.
Practice/Word Application
So what? As we celebrate Pentecost today, use this occasion to renew your relationship with the Holy Spirit.
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN – BREATHE UPON US
1. Breathe upon us, Lord, from Heaven,
Fill us with the Holy Ghost;
Promise of the Father given,
Send us now a Pentecost.
2. Breathe upon us, breathe upon us,
With Thy love our hearts inspire.
Breathe upon us, breathe upon us,
Lord, baptize us now with fire.
3. While the Spirit hovers o’er us,
Open all our hearts, we pray;
To Thine image, Lord, restore us,
Witness in our souls today.
4. Lift us, Lord, O lift us higher, From the carnal mind set free; Fill us with refining fire, Give us perfect liberty.
Closing Prayer
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me, break me, mould me, fill me, and use me…
Offer a prayer of faith in line with 1 Thessalonians 2:11 ‐ 12
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 140 – Psalms 5, 38, 41-42
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Sun May 19, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
THANK GOD FOR:
* Making available His Spirit to guide, direct, teach and enrich our lives
* The grace made available for us to bear fruit in Him
PRAY FOR:
* We will check our lives daily to ensure we remain in Him
* Grace to bear much fruit that will abide, and bring praise to His name
PRAY AGAINST:
* Anything that will cut us away from the Vine