14 Then Kefa stood up with the Eleven and raised his voice to address them: “You Judeans, and all of you staying here in Yerushalayim! Let me tell you what this means! Listen carefully to me!
15 “These people ar en’t drunk, as you suppose — it’s only nine in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken about through the prophet Yo’el:
17 ‘Adonai says:
“In the Last Days,
I will pour out from my Spirit upon everyone.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my slaves, both men and women,
will I pour out from my Spirit in those days;
and they will prophesy.
19 I will perform miracles in the sky above
and signs on the earth below —
blood, fire and thick smoke.
20 The sun will become dark
and the moon blood
before the great and fearful Day of Adonai comes.
21 And then, whoever calls on the name of Adonai will be saved.”’[Acts 2:21 Joel 3:1–5(2:28–32)] (Complete Jewish Bible)
***The world had been turned upside down for the disciples. Failing to understand just how Jesus fit into their world before his death, they were trying to wrap their minds around what the Resurrection meant for their lives. After listening to the Resurrected Jesus, they witnessed his return to the Father, and returned to Jerusalem.
They waited. They prayed. And the Holy Spirit descended upon both the men and women, anointing them and birthing the Church. As they are anointed, the Holy Spirit empowers all the believers to speak in foreign languages—those that are represented by the people in Jerusalem. The people from foreign lands were able to hear the good news in their own language!
That day when Peter got up and preached, he shared a prophecy from Joel: men and women will be anointed and prophesy. God would not limit his work or his kingdom. The Holy Spirit empowers those open to Spirit’s guidance-both men and women.
God did not limit the good news to the Jewish people-He gifted His followers with the ability to share it in native language. God also does not limit His Spirit. To those—men and women—who are open to God, God calls and anoints.
Hymn for Today: "Love Lifted Me" by James Rowe.
1. I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Refrain: Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
2. All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I'll cling,
In his blessed presence live, ever his praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful loving service, too, to Him belongs.
Refrain: Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
3. Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves;
He's the master of the sea, billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.
Refrain: Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Thought for Today: For Adonai is righteous;
he loves righteousness;
the upright will see his face. (Psalm 11:7).
Please pray: That many people in Ecuador will come to know Yeshua as their Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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