05.27.2020 Devotional
Greetings Friends,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Joel 2:28-32
It is impossible to reflect on the story of Pentecost and not be blown away by the intent of God to include all peoples, every tribe and nation, in God’s Kingdom endeavor. The small, unimpressive band that followed Jesus became known for including the outcasts, the marginalized, and all those unable to stand up for themselves.
The prophet Joel speaks of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all people. This prophecy and its message are not for a select few, or even a single nation, but for everyone.
At Pentecost, God’s spirit is poured out inaugurating a new day for God’s relationship with the people. Prophecies, visions, and dreams that were once reserved and conditional are now distributed through young and old, men and women.
A new day has come, and it has one ultimate purpose. God declares the Good News of the Kingdom, and does so in a way that reaches beyond every cultural expression, enabling those first followers to speak the languages of everyone close enough to hear the words being expressed. In that moment, God’s promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations was being fulfilled!
Today, we wait to see this expression of diversity and inclusiveness demonstrated in its fullness by 21 st century Christ-followers. Many long to see the Church be unequivocal champions for righteousness and justice and to embody what it means to live together as brothers and sisters.
May the guiding force of the Holy Spirit that multiplied and expanded that first group of followers, descend upon us as well. And may that force extend the love of God to every corner of the world, and compel us to love those that come to us, even from beyond our borders.
Prayer
God of Pentecost, you infuse us with your Spirit, urging us to vision and dream. May the gift of your presence find voice in our lives, that our babbling may be transformed into discernment and the flickering of many flames light an unquenchable fire of compassion and justice.
Pastor Denise
Prayer Requests:
Bob - Bruce Kauffman's Brother
Carol Nichols
Boni Lenahan
Bea Aho
Sumi Atkins
Mary Novy
June Birthdays - Happy Birthday To:
7-Shantel Rose
16-Steve Speer
20-Jessica Byers
20-Arland Michel
25-Sammi Schoeben
June Anniversaries - Happy Anniversary To:
7-Bob & Dolores Todd
12-Bill & Sally Bush
12-Bob & Joyce Scheuerman
20-Bruce & Nancy Kaufmann
22-Bruce & Geri Baldwin
30-Robert & Lillian Carr