Daily Devotions

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

In the Bible fire represents the presence if God. Israel was no stranger to God’s fire. Moses met God at a burning bush. The fire of God fell at Mt. Carmel whenever Elijah prayed and called upon the Lord. The children of Israel were led through the wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night. When Solomon dedicated the temple fire fell on the altar. And when the church gathered for a ten day prayer meeting fire from heaven fell upon the church. Pentecost fulfilled the promise Jesus made to His church that He would send the Comforter. The result of God giving us His Spirit is that we have boldness to proclaim Christ. The coming of the Spirit also resulted in the early church flourishing. Thousands trusted Christ, followed the Lord in believers baptism, and began growing as Christ followers. Spirit filled churches will experience unity, fellowship, growth in God’s Word, and a passion to see people saved. I heard about a church that had a disagreement over what color of shingles to put on the roof. Half of the church wanted black shingles and the other half wanted brown. They decided the only way to settle it was to put black shingles on one side of the church and brown shingles on the other. When Sunday came the church members that voted for black shingles sat on the side of the church that had black shingles on the roof. The members that voted for brown shingles sat on the side of the church with brown shingles. Is there anything about the attitude of that church that resembles the New Testament church in Acts 2? What is there about your church that resembles Pentecost? Pentecost is not the abnormal, it is the norm for God’s church. We can experience the presence and power of God’s Spirit in the church today!

Prayer: “Dear Father, pour out Your revival fire on us today. May we live and worship and serve in the power of Your Spirit! May our churches resemble the New Testament church at Pentecost. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron