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14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 22 “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. [1] Memory Verse – But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them… – Acts 2.14a What a year 2020 has been, and if anything can be said about this year it is that most of us would like a do over. But we all know it is impossible to go back and start over or change things, so we have to look forward at the coming year and see how God is leading us and where we need to go in our service to Him. Beginning over can be hard and offers many challenges, but when we have God on our side nothing is impossible (Luke 1.37). Peter and the disciples felt the air taken out of their sails when Christ died. They did not know what to do, although Christ had told them many times He must die. When He rose from the grave, they were excited and happy to see Him. It took some convincing for some, but eventually they believed He was alive. Before we start condemning them for not just believing, we would not have been any better had we been there, seen Him die on the cross and been put in the tomb. Now they have just seen Him ascend into Heaven and two angels told them they would see Christ return the same way as He had left (Acts 1.10-11). Again, they were sad, but they had hope; hope in the coming of the Holy Spirit, which Christ had promised them. “I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or me. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you will remember I told them to you. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you (John 16.1-15, CSB).[2] The Comforter came into the lives of these men and all those in the upper room, about 120 people (Acts 1.15), and they were moved with power like never before. This power that filled them on that day, Pentecost day, is the same power that each of us are filled with when we ask Jesus Christ into our life. It is this power which Christ spoke of that would enlighten us, tell us of the Truth of the Word, give us wisdom, show us all things, convict us of wrong and guide us to do right. On this first day so long ago, Peter stood up and preached with boldness. This same Peter which denied Christ, shot his mouth off, lost faith walking on water, and many other things which we could all relate to. But when the Holy Spirit came into His life, took ahold of his attitude, his fear, his loss of focus and with boldness he stood up and began to preach the word to the crowds. It was a new beginning, a do over as you will, for him and the disciples. They would now really be tested for their faith, their boldness, their devotion to Christ. When we make a decision to follow Christ it is not for a few minutes or a few days but it is for life. It is a life change, a new life style we must take on, and when life gives us some crazy things like this year, then we say thank You Lord, and look forward to the next day, the next moment, the next hour, the next year and see how God will move and shake things for His glory and honor. We can begin over but, only with God’s help. Application
Prayer Lord I thank You for this year, for all You allowed me to accomplish through You. I know this was a very difficult and unique year and it presented many challenges to serving You and ministering in the community. Lord, I ask for greater strength in the coming year, and boldness to serve You each and every day as I share Your gospel. Give me boldness and a fearless heart so others will hear and know who You are. This I pray in Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen. [1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ac 2:14–24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. [2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Jn 16:1–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. You Can Download This Blog Here - December 31 - Acts 2.14-24
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