COURTESY PHOTO.
“…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” Acts 2:1-4
Heavenly Father, on the church calendar it’s Pentecost Sunday—a day for celebrating the giving of your Holy Spirit to your church—a day for rejoicing in the many ways the Spirit works in our lives.
It was your Spirit who raised us from our spiritual death, showed us the depth of our need, and convinced us only Jesus could meet our need. He gave us the faith we need to believe the gospel. We are grateful, Father.
By the Spirit, you sealed us forever as your cherished children. We’ll never be unborn-again, disowned, or orphaned from you. The Spirit is the firstfruits of our final redemption—the guarantee that one Day we’ll be completely like Jesus. Father, may you grow a bumper crop of the Spirit’s fruit in our lives as we long for that Day.
The Spirit is the engagement ring wrapped around our hearts—the sign and security of our marriage to Jesus. Nothing will ever separate us from the love of Jesus. Nothing will keep us from the true and eternal Royal Wedding.
By the Spirit, you constantly declare us to be your beloved children—guiltless and condemnation free. Turn up the volume, Father. The Spirit ceaselessly prays inside of us what we’d pray for ourselves if we knew what the Spirit knows. By the Spirit, you gifted us for service, empowered for mission, and re-fire our first love for Jesus.
On this Pentecost Sunday, we heed afresh your command to be filled with the Spirit. We gladly and expectantly yield. Come, Holy Spirit, come, and fill us to overflowing—to the praise of our God and for the blessing of our neighbors. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and loving name.
Article originally published by The Gospel Coalition.
