Pentecost is celebrated the 49th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the book of Acts (Acts 2:1-31). The Monday after Pentecost is a legal holiday in many European countries. (Wikipedia)
It was a great privilege and blessing to be in the house of the Lord yesterday on Pentecost Sunday! It is thrilling to read in the first chapter of Acts that Jesus commanded his disciples "that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence. Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Praise the Lord for this wonderful promise! Our pastor preached two wonderful messages that challenged our hearts yesterday, and I like this song -- "Bring Your Vessels, Not a Few" -- based on the thrilling story in the 4th chapter of II Kings!
"Are you longing for the fullness of the blessing of the Lord --
In your heart and life today?
Claim the Promise of Your Father; come according to His Word,
In the blessed old-time way!
Bring your empty earthen vessels, clean through Jesus' precious blood.
Come, ye needy, one and all;
And in human consecration wait before the throne of God
Till the Holy Ghost shall fall!
Like the cruse of oil unfailing is His grace forevermore --
And His love is unchanging still;
And according to His promise -- with the Holy Ghost and power --
He will every vessel fill!
He will fill your heart today to over-flowing!
As the Lord commandeth you, 'Bring your vessels--not a few'!
He will fill your heart today to over-flowing,
With the Holy Ghost and power!"
And today, as we see our world all around us raging and out of control, what a sweet comfort it is to have this blessed peace -- a deep settled peace in our soul-- a calm in the midst of the storm -- testifying with the Apostle Paul --
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
Do you have this blessed experience this morning? It is still for us all today! Praise the Lord!
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