Pentecost

Did you guys know that last Sunday was the Day of Pentecost? No? Me either, until I saw it mentioned on Instagram. I realized that I didn’t know that much about it, so…

Fun Facts:
* it’s the 50th day or 7th* week after Passover
* it’s the 2nd of 3 great Jewish Feasts (1. Passover and 3. Tabernacles)
* it’s a one day festival at the end of barley harvest because they are in the middle of the wheat harvest
* it’s a joyous time giving thanks to God
* it’s a feast that attracted the largest number of people from different lands = no other time would the gift of the Holy Spirit have the direct and immediate results
* it’s 10 days between the Ascension and Pentecost

** Side note** The number 7 in the Bible means perfection, rest, completion and goodness. It’s just like God to intentionally have it be 7 weeks between Passover (when Jesus died and once and for all covered all sins) to Pentecost (a time dedicated to giving thanks and providing the Holy Spirit to empower us to live free and holy). Just WOW!!!!!

In Acts 1 Jesus told the disciples to hang out in Jerusalem but to “wait for the gift my Father promised”.

#1: in vs. 6 they still want to know if Jesus is going to restore Israel. At first, I was shaking my head, I thought that was settled, why are they still looking for an earthly kingdom? Then the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that I too can expect what I was hoping for, and laid down, to be given back to me after a time of repentance and sacrifice. Check your heart, JB!

#2: Jesus redirects them back to the gift of the Holy Spirit. Vs. 8 tells us that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes, to be His witnesses. The word power here is dunamis = strength; power; ability to perform; grow in sanctification. It’s used 120 times in the New Testament. Two things: we need His strength and power to be able to accomplish what He asks us to do. We need His power to be holy and freed from sin. Come on! Isn’t God gracious and wonderful that He did not leave us alone in that!?!?!

#3: Vs. 9&10 This part makes me chuckle. Jesus is taken up to heaven before their eyes. I wonder how long they were standing there looking and waiting before 2 guys dressed in white suddenly appear and asked them why they are standing there and looking at the sky? Let’s go, people! He didn’t mean it would happen now. The timing is up to God, we need to be faithful to what we have in front of us to do.

#4: Acts 2:1-3: 120 of them were in this room, 10 days after Jesus went to heaven, and the sound of wind came through. No wind, no one felt a breeze, no hair was lifted, just “the sound of a violent wind.” Then what appeared to be tongues of fire rested on each of them. I like this because God is in the seen and unseen.

They received an actual impartation to live a divine life, to be sanctified….holy.
The Holy Spirit is here to bring us victory; to illuminate our way; sustain us; direct us and cleanse us.

#5: Acts 2:4: ALL! Were filled. Men, women and children. There is no distinction or separation. We all can have the power we need. Thank you, Jesus!!

#6: Vs.6-12: Remember all the people that were there for the Festival? They each heard their language being spoken, by common Galileans. It was confusing to them, but amazing to me. God will use us to reach those around us right where they are at!

God is very intentional and purposeful! He is so amazing! Pentecost was a time to give thanks to God for His provision. Can you imagine how thankful they were after they heard about the love and sacrifice of Jesus?

We don’t need to be anything other than willing and empowered by Him to have an impact and change the world. Right where we are. In fact, He is still intentional and purposeful in putting us where we are, so that we can be.

So, let’s be on the lookout for where God is leading us today. We can because He is!

Have a great day, World-Changer!
All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo

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