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The Upper Room Chaplains' Ministry
Since World War II, The Upper Room has been providing copies of the daily devotional to Read More
Michael E. Williams | Read Acts of the Apostles 2:5-21
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Sign Up TodayWhile I was serving as pastor at Blakemore United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, the congregation welcomed into their space a congregation of Rwandan refugees who had come to the United States to escape genocide. Ordinarily the Rwandan congregation’s services were conducted on Sunday afternoon, so they used the sanctuary...
God of all people, help me listen for your good news in those who are different from me. Amen.
In preparing for Pentecost, we focus again on the work of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 recounts the famous story in which the disciples are miraculously able to speak in other languages in order to preach to the crowds in Jerusalem. The psalmist states that God creates and renews creation through the Spirit. According to Paul, if we are led by God’s Spirit, the Spirit confirms that we are children of God. In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will teach us how to love him and to keep his commandments. In some branches of Christianity, fear of excess causes hesitation about the Holy Spirit; however, we must never forget that the Spirit is central to God’s redeeming work.
Read Acts 2:1-21. The miracle of Pentecost is not only in the multitude of languages but also in the act of listening. How can you experience worship in many languages or offer deep listening this Pentecost?
Read Psalm 104:24-34, 35b. How do you witness God’s experience woven through all of creation?
Read Romans 8:14-17. The author reminds us that spirit also means breath. When have you felt led by the breath of God?
Read John 14:8-17, 25-27. How has fear kept you from trusting God?
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