Pentecost Sunday 2023

Acts 2:1-21 KJV; Pentecost Sunday; The beginning of the Season of Pentecost. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we go out to share the Good News that the Church might grow and be edified.

Sweet And Bitter

Reading from Revelation 10:1-3, 8-11 KJV The little book with words that are sweet in the mouth; but, will make the belly bitter.

The Holy Spirit Came

Reading from Acts 2:1-21 KJV Pentecost: the Holy Spirit fired up those disciples to share the Good News in various languages; even as the Spirit opened the ears, the hearts and minds of the people to hear, to believe, and be baptized into the Body of Christ.

Many Gifts Of The Spirit

Gentle Words

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Prov 15:1 NIV)                                                                                                                                           Humanity really seems to enjoy arguments, divisions, even wars. Maybe that is not so true. Maybe it is only that we like to have be the ones who are always right; always better than the next person; always the one to have the last word. Are we as a species addicted to living in drama? Because being number one all of the time leads to just that: drama!

Sometimes, it is necessary to not even disagree with someone that you know is totally off the planet wrong; but, to keep your lips zipped. Don't say a word. Smile. Walk away. Let things calm down before you attempt to resume the conversation if ever you even need to resume the conversation.

It is not necessary to belittle others with harsh words. It is more necessary to get along or walk away for your sake and for the sake of everyone around you. 

Harsh words stir up anger. Anger stirs up hate and contempt. Hate and contempt kills not just bodies; but, the soul as well.

May God grant us gentle tongues and gentle spirits.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Give The Gift Of Love

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  (1 Cor 13:1-3 NIV)

I began receiving pre-Black Friday online shopping advertisements over a week ago. I haven't begun to think about shopping for Christmas presents. The reality is that everyone that I give gifts to has just about everything they need and almost everything that they want. Well, maybe not everything they want; but, everything I could possibly afford to give them.

The one gift that some of them have not received is faith in Jesus the Christ. It is not that God hasn't given them this awesome gift. After all; for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son as a gift for us. Jesus did; after all, die for all people. It is that some just seem to refuse the greatest gift of all; to be reconciled to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

As you consider what gifts to share with others this holiday season; consider sharing the greatest gift ever given to humankind. Consider sharing the Good News that others might hear and by the power of the Spirit of Christ, receive this gift of love and life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Do not hide this gift like that unwanted fruitcake in the back of the cupboard. Share it. Give the greatest gift of love.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Beware Of Those Who Devour Others

"Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,  the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,  who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

Beware of the scribes; beware of anyone who would place themselves before and above others. They are not there to help others; but, to help themselves under the pretense of helping others.

Beware of the pretentious. Those long prayers and speeches of the pretentious are there to sway you to their way of thinking and not necessarily God's way or will. Beware, that their smooth words are not swaying you to follow in a way that you should not be going in.

We are inundated with political speeches. We are inundated with biased media. What a circus it has become! Listen carefully and beware of those who place themselves before others; who think more highly of themselves than they ought. With their smooth tongues they can make what is good look like sin and what is sin look like it is a good thing. Beware of those who claim to want to help the poor and needy and; yet, get richer while the poor get poorer.

Beware of the false prophets. We have a God who will guide us in all things. Listen to Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Speak Life

A gentle answer turns away wrath, 
   but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,

    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit

Prov 15:1-4

I know that I have been guilty of having spoken wrongly or too quickly on more than one occasion resulting hurting the spirit of others.  However, I usually realize I have done so as soon as I've done it just by the look on the face of the person I've offended and can attempt to rectify it or at least apologize.

But, I have difficulty understanding why some people do not understand how badly they can hurt someone with their continuous witty and condescending comments. Maybe they don't realize how truly damaging their tongues can be to the spirits; to the lives of the ones who bear the brunt of their wit. Maybe they don't understand how badly they are damaging their own relationship with the person they are being sarcastic with as well as with others around them who hear and cringe at the ungodliness of it all.

Sarcasm really is not that funny. It is hurtful. Intentional sarcasm breaks the spirit. It destroys relationships. It destroys life. However, a gentle tongue helps to build others up. It brings life to the spirit.

May God help us to speak with gentle tongues that will do no harm to others.

God Peace - Pr. J