Verse
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[Peter, on Pentecost, quoting from Joel 2:]
"In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams."
— Acts 2:17 NIV
Thought
So much hand wringing goes on to determine when the "last days" will occur. However, the prophecy of Joel 2 begins to be fulfilled in Acts 2. Therefore, the events happening then are the beginning of the "last days"! Since the coming of the Holy Spirit that first Pentecost after Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, we have been in the last days. Jesus' coming again is assured. He stands at the edge of history. Since Jesus' incarnation, we have stood at the "culmination of the ages" (Hebrews 9:26) waiting for God's final victory when he sends Jesus to return for us (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). And the key to these last days? The Holy Spirit — God's presence within us, God's presence for us, and God's assurance to us that we are part of his great victory (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit comes to all who belong to Jesus. No wonder old and young, men and women, have words from God to share and dreams from heaven to inspire!
Prayer
Almighty God, thank you for the coming of your Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Thank you for sending your Spirit to me when I came to Christ. Thank you for your abiding presence within me and your assurance for me through your indwelling Spirit. I await, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the great victory that I know is coming in Christ. Thank you for this assured hope! In Jesus' name, I praise you! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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.indented { padding-left: 20pt; }
.indented2 { padding-left: 35pt; }
[Peter, on Pentecost, quoting from Joel 2:]
"In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams."
— Acts 2:17 NIV
Thought
So much hand wringing goes on to determine when the "last days" will occur. However, the prophecy of Joel 2 begins to be fulfilled in Acts 2. Therefore, the events happening then are the beginning of the "last days"! Since the coming of the Holy Spirit that first Pentecost after Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, we have been in the last days. Jesus' coming again is assured. He stands at the edge of history. Since Jesus' incarnation, we have stood at the "culmination of the ages" (Hebrews 9:26) waiting for God's final victory when he sends Jesus to return for us (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). And the key to these last days? The Holy Spirit — God's presence within us, God's presence for us, and God's assurance to us that we are part of his great victory (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit comes to all who belong to Jesus. No wonder old and young, men and women, have words from God to share and dreams from heaven to inspire!
Prayer
Almighty God, thank you for the coming of your Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Thank you for sending your Spirit to me when I came to Christ. Thank you for your abiding presence within me and your assurance for me through your indwelling Spirit. I await, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the great victory that I know is coming in Christ. Thank you for this assured hope! In Jesus' name, I praise you! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
