Holy Spirit Fills Us
Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. -- Acts 2:2-4
Today is Pentecost. We remember when the Holy Spirit came. Peter and the other apostles waited in an upstairs room because Jesus had promised. Jesus said, “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So they waited and they were filled.
Dr. Karl Stegall spoke today about being homesick. It’s something all of us know well, whether we identify it or not. We long for something more than we have. We’re never quite satisfied. We believe someone or something can fill that hole inside but it never happens. Not until we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Then the Holy Spirit fills that space inside of us.
As Christians, we realize that life on this earth is temporary. This isn’t home. Our home is in heaven with God. Oh, we hang on to it with all we’ve got. But everything we have will fade away as we leave our earthly bodies and go to a place with no pain or suffering, only light and happiness as we worship God. What an amazing future we have waiting for us!
The early church understood something we tend to forget. Relationships matter far more than any thing we’ll ever possess.
And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity -- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. -- Acts 2:44-47
Stegall said that the older we become, the more we long for relationships. We want to surround ourselves with people, with friends and family. We want people who care about us and who will mourn us when we’re gone. Yes, God created us for relationships with other people.
Today we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Let us also remember how the Holy Spirit united believers in relationships they would last forever.
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