Pentecost Sunday 2023–“Happy Birthday, Church”

Today, May 28, 2023, Pentecost Sunday, many Christian believers joyfully say, “Happy Birthday, Church!”  Pentecost also corresponds to Shavuot, a Jewish festival of historical and agricultural importance, occurring fifty days after Passover when the Book of the Law was given to Moses. Notably, the Christian feast of Pentecost means “fifty” and takes place on the fiftieth day after Passover.

John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost where Jesus Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  Jesus Christ ended his earthly ministry with a promise to his disciples that they would be baptized with Holy Spirit, far beyond John’s baptism in water. He told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the fulfillment of the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit, from whom they would receive power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, they returned to Jerusalem to wait to be endowed with power from on high.

On the Day of Pentecost, just as promised, “a rushing mighty wind” filled the house, and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all were filled with the Holy Spirit.  After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples and those who were added to the Church daily went forth to tell the world. This was the beginning of the Church as we know it.

The fire of Pentecost fell and ultimately transformed the lives of those present, and they in turn transformed the world with their witness of the saving grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Since that time, revival fires have burned brilliantly for a season and then subsided and lay smoldering in the frigid dark nights of those who have lost their way.

Paul R. Dienstberger describes the circumstances out of which revivals have been birthed. “…[T]here appeared to be cycles like the book of Judges. First, a period of spiritual fervor and blessing, then a falling away, then a revival of spiritual activity, then religious regression, and the cycles continued to repeat the pattern.” In their desperation, while at what the Psalmist declares is “their wit’s end,” the people cry out to God. Such heartfelt cries have gone out at various times for God to “send another Pentecost.”

At various times and seasons the fire of “another Pentecost” was reignited. One such revival that swept through a nation and ultimately spread abroad was the Welsh Revival of the early 1900s, and parallel to that occurrence was the Azusa Street revival in America in 1906 and the years following leading up to the Jesus Movement of the 60s. This move of God is depicted in the recently released film, “Jesus Revolution.” Since that time believers have been seeking to catch the wave of the next approaching revival movement. As the Twentieth Century drew to a close, various prophetic words spoke of another move of God, a coming “spiritual tsunami” that would dwarf all preceding movements.

In discussing revival movements, A.T. Pierson notes,

“There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.” In light of that statement, not only America but the entire world has been united in prayer in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The recent prayer movements have brought together churches, pastors, leaders, and individuals across the globe to pray for miraculous healing of our lands from the coronavirus and a spiritual awakening among the nations. Today, May 28, 2023, is not only Pentecost Sunday but also the Global Day of Prayer for Jerusalem and the Nations.

Here is an  original psalm of celebration for the Birthday of the Church:

The Song of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-4

Those with ears to hear seek your song of grace.

With no song to soothe the soul, all is lost.

Your melody makes life a quiet place

When the heart sings the song of Pentecost.

There in Eden’s garden fell the first frost

Where stillborn silence chilled the human race.

The purest harmony with God was lost.

Those with ears to hear seek your song of grace.

Voices of patriarchs could not replace

The inner melody from God.  At most

Their sound was an echo, only a trace.

With no song to soothe the soul, all is lost.

With the sign of blood upon the doorpost

Moses led Israel toward the promised place.

The lyrics of the Law were their guidepost.

Your melody makes life a quiet place.

Man hears life’s sublime music in the grace

By Jesus Christ, who died and rose to post

A higher law that death cannot erase

When the heart sings the song of Pentecost.

Sound of a rushing mighty wind: signpost,

The prelude to the promised song of grace.

With the outpouring of the Holy Ghost,

The song of Pentecost can now embrace

Those with ears to hear.

We close with “Prepare the Way”  featuring Bethel Music

In case you forget, here’s a reminder:

The Verse of the Day for May 18, 2023, on Biblegate.com comes from the Book of Hebrews where we find a reminder of who God is not as well as who God is:

Hebrews 6:10 (New Living Translation):

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

The opening phrase makes known that God is not unjust. On the contrary, God is just. One translation of the first part of Hebrews 6:10 states, “God is fair . . .” The Psalmist declares, “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”

Psalm 145:17 (AMP) notes:

The Lord is [unwaveringly] righteous in all His ways and gracious and kind in all His works.

Deuteronomy 32:4 (NKJV) says this:

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

The Verse of the Day goes on to say “For God is not unjust so as to forget. . .” How well we have come to learn that God does not forget, except He does not remember our sins and shortcomings, as Hebrews 10:17 (AMP) reminds us that in certain areas of our lives God has “selective amnesia”:

“And their sins and their lawless acts I will remember no more [no longer holding their sins against them].”

Hebrews 8:12 (AMP) reiterates this message:’

“For I will be merciful and gracious toward their wickedness, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Though God does not remember our sins and iniquity, He is mindful of us and does remember this:

He has given food to those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence]; He will remember His covenant forever.

Ezekiel 16:60 (AMP) makes known God’s covenant relationship with His people:

[The Covenant Remembered] “Nevertheless, I will remember [with compassion] my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

As believers we endeavor to serve God and minister to one another, but we must remember this: Our efforts may not always be recognized nor appreciated. Those whom we serve in love may not always remember what we say and do, but we are assured that God never forgets. Not only is God, our Father, faithful and just, but He is also a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

The Verse of the Day inspired this original psalm:

A Reminder: God Is Faithful

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love,   

which you have shown toward his name,        

in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.

 Hebrews 6:10

The good deeds that you have done may not be extolled

When the fervor of God’s love has long since grown cold.

Some quickly forget all the good that you have done

And fail to recall that you were the only one

To answer the call, seek the Lord, and intercede.

Time after time you were the one to meet the need.

When others were busy and chose to walk away,

You were there and remained in the thick of the fray.

In dark times when words of thanks are distant memories,

Recall that God knows all things, for He alone sees

Your labor and saves all the tears that you have shed.

Our Father is ever mindful of how you serve,

And He shall reward you beyond all you deserve.

As you strive to finish your course, have no regret:

Our God is faithful–He will never forget.

This medley from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir musically reinforces the message of the Verse of the Day: He’s Been Faithful and Great is Thy Faithfulness:

Not just on Mother’s Day

Special Mother’s Day blessings to a special lady:

Lady Brenda, BJ,

My beloved Brenda Joyce,

The wife of my youth in whom I rejoice

On Mother’s Day and every day, I thank God for you.

Though I may not express my love in every way,

Read between the lines and hear me when I say,

I thank God for you on Mother’s Day and every day.

The Prayer of Jabez personally applied

This morning as  I continued my daily reading plan to read through the Bible in one year, I read a familiar passage from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10: The Prayer of Jabez.

There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. ¹⁰ He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.

As I finished the reading, I thought of lyrics to an original song composed more than twenty years ago:

The Prayer of Jabez

(I Chronicles 4:9-10)

Jabez called on the God of Israel,

And so I call on You as well

And pray the prayer that Jabez prayed.

He touched the heart of God when he said:

Oh, that you would bless me indeed,

Oh, that you would bless me indeed,

Oh, that you would bless me indeed,

And enlarge my coast,

And enlarge my coast,

And enlarge my coast,

And that your hand might be with me,

And that your hand might be with me,

And that your hand might be with me,

And that you would keep me from evil,

And that you would keep me from evil,

And that you would keep me from evil,

That it may not grieve me.

That it may not grieve me.

That it may not grieve me.

And as God granted Jabez all he asked,

So He will give us our heart’s desires

If we walk in faith and keep holding fast

To the promises of God,

To the promises of God,

To the promises of God.

The closing refrain also brought to mind a verse that I continually apply when reading the Old Testament: Romans 15:4 (New Living Translation):

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

The celebrated passage from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 also became the inspiration for the best-selling study by Bruce Wilkinson: The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life.

We conclude with a musical rendition of this well-known prayer by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers:

Grow up, speak the truth in love: A more mature expression of Christ

The Verse of the Day for Biblegateway.com comes from Ephesians 4:15, but to understand the context more fully, we will take a look at the preceding verse as well which relates to our being members of the Body of Christ in Ephesians 4:14-15 in the New Living Translation:

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Throughout the New Testament believers are exhorted not only to speak the truth in love but to walk in love, to demonstrate or manifest love, to put on love. Love is to be the guiding principle in all that we say or do. 

A previous blog entry encouraged us to follow the Scriptures, whereby we “put off, put on, and put away.” Here is an excerpt from that post:

Colossians 3:12-14 in the New Living Translation speaks of how believers should behave:

¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Poetically speaking, we are directed to

Put off the old. Put on the new and leave the past behind.

Follow Christ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

As believers, we are encouraged to change our minds and develop new thinking patterns. We are to put off the old man and put on the new man, as we put away lying or any other ungodly practices.  Instead of continuing in the direction that habitually takes us away from the presence of God, our lives should be moving in this direction:

Toward a Mature Expression of Christ

But speaking the truth in love [in all things—

both our speech and our lives expressing His truth],

let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.

Ephesians 4:13

With the doctrine established in our younger years,

As we live, maturity should be evident,

For perfected love dispels all our doubts and fears,

Having heard God’s Word and then knowing what it meant.

As we fully mature in Christ, we seek to please

The Lord who watches to see what kind of steward

We have become. As our all-wise Father, He sees

Not just the outward appearance but the inward

Thoughts and motives of the hearts of daughters and sons

Who are no longer children looking to be fed

But as new creations in Christ, His chosen ones,

Not as carnal, we choose to speak the truth in love instead.

Toward a mature expression of Christ, we must strive

And pursue it with passion until we arrive.

We close with Ephesians 4:14-15 Lyric Video featuring Songs from the Loop:

He is risen, indeed!

As the sun begins to rise on this Resurrection Sunday, April 9, 2023, I reflect upon one of the most memorable accounts of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ found in Luke 24:1-9 ((New Living Translation):

The Resurrection

24 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. ² They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. ³ So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

⁵ The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

⁸ Then they remembered that he had said this. ⁹ So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.

In thinking about this account of the women at the empty tomb, this original reflective piece also comes to mind:

Witness

 Luke 24:1-9 (New Living Translation)

 

Though we did not journey with the women

In the dark before dawn that first day,

Nor were we walking, weeping with them when

Two angels spoke, nor did we hear them say,

“He is not here but risen as he said;

Recall that on the third day he should rise;

Why seek you the living among the dead?”

Though we did not see with our naked eyes,

In our hearts, we know God’s desire to bless.

Though we did not touch Christ nor did we see

The open tomb, yet we still bear witness.

We have a more sure word of prophecy.

By the spirit, fruit of our Promised Seed,

We surely know He is risen, risen, indeed.

Listen to this lively rendition of “Risen”:

We are fools for Christ’s sake: Not just on April 1

This morning as I completed my Bible reading for the day, I read the account of David who was being pursued by King Saul who was seeking to kill him. As he escaped, David encountered King Achish of Gath, the leader of the Philistines whom David had previously defeated when he killed Goliath. When  David realized he was in enemy territory, he “pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.” King Achish responded, “Must you bring me a madman? We already have enough of them around here. Why should I let someone like this be my guest?” ( 1 Samuel 19:12-15 NLT). Most remarkably, King David escapes from the clutches of the enemy by “playing the fool.”

This passage reminds me of a previous blog entry which I revised and reposted on April Fool’s Day, 2023.

The story is told of a man who wore a sandwich board in New York City as he walked the streets. On the front written in bold letters was this statement:  “I’m a fool for Christ’s  sake!”  People passed and chuckled or snickered, but they changed their expressions when they turned around to read the back of the sign which asked,  “Whose fool are you?”

This story brings to mind the words of the Apostle Paul who reminds believers: “We are fools for Christ’s sake.”

The lyrics to the chorus of the popular song “Everybody Plays the Fool” also remind us of this truth:

Everybody plays the fool sometime

There’s no exception to the rule

Listen, baby, it may be factual, may be cruel

I ain’t lyin’, everybody plays the fool

Since everybody plays the fool sometime in life and in love, many of us have decided that, like the gentleman in New York, we will be fools  for Christ’s sake, since the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men,” so say the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 1:25).

As the weeks unfold leading up to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we encounter a situation that contrasts the ways of men who purport themselves to be wise, and the ways of God who uses foolishness to confound the wise:

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written:  “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

The whole idea of being a “fool for Christ’s sake” on April Fool’s Day reminds me of this poetic portrait written in the form a “mad song”:

My Mad Song

We are fools for Christ’s sake,

but you are wise in Christ!

We are weak, but ye are strong!

You are distinguished, but we are dishonored.

I Corinthians 4:10

I am stark raving mad as a gitsy;

I am insane and crazy as a loon.

Though my voice is stronger,

My lyrics are wronger.

My mad song is plainly out of tune

(But all the while I smile).

I am a rare and bizarre exception

Who loves to laugh out loud and cry.

My mind borders hysterical

Each day I see a miracle.

I live on earth with my home in the sky

(And all the while I smile).

I make my point with certainty–

Another fact that clearly shows

That I am deceived or naiver,

With the mind of a child, a believer

Who knows that he knows that he knows

(Why all the while I smile).

So I still dream my dreams and live

My life in such a simple style.

The world wants to eat me for supper,

But I just laugh and keep the upper

Hand and keep walking mile by mile

(As all the while I smile).

They call me kook, fanatic, and fool

Because of my peculiar knack.

Some folks think me still odder

Because I talk with God, my Father,                                

And furthermore, yes, He talks back

(And all the while I smile).

All of this is food for thought on April Fool’s Day, 2023.

Helen Yousaf closes this music reminder: “Fools for Christ”:

The Lord is My Shepherd: A Mighty Good One

The Verse of the Day for March 17, 2023, comes from Psalm 23:1-3,  one of the most recognized and recited passages in the Old Testament:

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. (New Living Translation)

Additional specific qualities of “the good shepherd” we find in the remaining verses of Psalm 23, one of my favorite psalms that I committed to memory as a youngster, and I continue to draw strength from this cherished Psalm of David:

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

In the Gospel of John, we find seven metaphors used by Jesus Christ to describe himself in order that his followers might understand to an even greater degree who he is and what he came to do. He speaks of himself in this way in John 10:14-15:

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knows me, even so, know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

The second metaphorical reference to Jesus in John 10:11: states,

“I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

This indicates that the shepherd is fully committed to his sheep and consequently has their full trust. The good shepherd cares so much for his sheep that he is even willing to lay down his life for the sheep, as this phrase is used three times in the sheepfold discourse.

John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me,

We close with a beautiful, musical illustration of Psalm 23: “Like a Shepherd, He Leads Us”:

It is certainly comforting to know that Lord, indeed, is our shepherd and that he is a mighty good one.

Like Caleb: A reminder of God’s Promises

This morning as I completed my morning devotional, I read a passage from Joshua 24 where we find specific references to the inheritance that God had given to each of the tribes of Israel and their descendants as they moved into the Promised Land. I was especially intrigued by the references to Caleb, a prominent individual from the Tribe of Judah. Caleb and Joshua were the only descendants of the original Children of Israel who survived the 40-year sojourn from Egypt into the Promised Land.

Having celebrated my eightieth birthday last year, I especially identify with Caleb who was 85 when claimed his inheritance, despite the fact the land promised to him was still inhabited by the Anakim, so-called “giants in the land.” As I completed the Bible reading with this Verse of the Day from Joshua 21:45, this original psalm came to mind.

Like Caleb

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him,

and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land

whereinto he went, and his seed shall possess it.

Numbers 14:24

Caleb, son of Jephunneh, of the tribe of Judah:

The impact of this solitary life who can gauge?

May I be like Caleb, who grew in faith with the years

That passed, who with renewed courage transformed his fears

Into faith and lived to slay giants in his old age.

May I rise above any adverse circumstance.

As Caleb claimed for himself his inheritance,

May I too seize God’s promises at this new stage,

To remain fruitful in this season of my life.

And may I wholly follow the ways of the Lord,

Teaching by example the precepts of the Word.

As a servant, may I dispel envy and strife.

Like Caleb, may I look at life as one who sees

Not obstacles but endless possibilities.

The Verse of the Day from the Old Testament also reminded of me this exhortation from Romans 15:4

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Psalm 145:13 offers this reminder:

For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.

2 Peter 1:4

And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

We conclude with this musical reminder from Maverick City Music:  “Promises”:

On Wellness Day and every day: “It’s your life. Live it well.”

Today, as I began my morning devotional with the Lord, I realized that I do not have any online classes today as an adjunct Professor at St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC. I received a reminder that today is “Wellness Day” an opportunity for the St. Augustine’s University community to engage in purposeful rest, recovery, and community activities promoting holistic health and wellness. While thinking about the objectives of Wellness Day, I also thought of a previous blog post on the topic of wellness, which I am revising and reposting here today. I recall words from Judy Sheindlin to serve the Quote of the Day for February 9, 2023:

“It’s your life. Live it well.”

The packet of information I received with that quote provided tips, activities, programs, and services related to health and wellness. Generally speaking, the concept of wellness brings to mind our physical well-being. Perhaps, if pressed, most people might also acknowledge the desire to achieve a state of well-being mentally or emotionally.

We recognize that wellness is a difficult word to define. Charles B. Corbin of Arizona State University offers this definition: “Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life and a sense of well-being.”

Wellness usually connotes “a healthy body and sound mind.” As the old folks used to testify: “I thank God for a reasonable portion of health and strength and that I am clothed in my right mind.” God, our Father, and creator, however, desires for us to experience wholeness, spiritually, mentally, or emotionally, as well as physically. I Thessalonians 5:23 in the New Living Translation reminds us of this truth:

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul, and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

Those who seek to find and maintain wellness physically, mentally, and most importantly, spiritually obtain a priceless treasure. Indeed, they are wealthy beyond belief, as expressed in this personal poetic response:

A Question of Wealth

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper
in all things and be in health,
even as your soul prospers.

3 John 2

How do you measure the fullest meaning of wealth?
What is the total value? How much is the price
Of a fruitful spirit, a sound mind, and good health?
Can you calculate the sum and then square it twice?
To prosper and be in health, even as your soul
Prospers cannot be measured by any amount
Withdrawn from the world’s treasures, for even the whole
Earth could never contain so vast a bank account.
But those who set their affections on things above
And not on things on the earth are free to explore
The infinite riches of God’s favor and love,
For they alone know their true value even more.
The truly rich ask to receive and seek to find
The priceless wealth of strength in God and peace of mind.

Many times when someone asks, “How are you doing; how’s it going?” I will respond, “It is well.” The lyrics to one of the most popular hymns of all time come to mind as we close with this rendition of this timeless classic by Chris Rice: