Welcoming New Life Through the Spirit - Your Nightly Scripture - July 7th
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Welcoming New Life Through the Spirit
Your Nightly Scripture
Evening Scripture
Acts, Chapter 2
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Evening Reflection
The other day, I arrived at my office to find that the power had gone out. It wasn’t just my office, or my building, but the power had gone out throughout the entire block. I sat at my desk, wondering what to do, given that the electricity we depend on for lights, internet, emails, and printing had suddenly disappeared; it felt as if everything had come to a halt, and I couldn’t really function. As power is necessary for our physical lives, so too is divine power necessary for our spiritual lives. The inward pulse of the Holy Spirit vivifies, energizes, and empowers us so that we might live the Christian life. And without the Holy Spirit moving in our lives, without a connection to that source of power, our Christian life comes to a standstill. It’s like we experience a power outage in our spiritual selves.
Although we often speak of the day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2, we must remember that being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event. The Holy Spirit is not a possession that we hold or a skill that we wield for our own benefit. The Holy Spirit is the active and ongoing presence of the Triune God within us. Wouldn’t it be great if we got to participate in that reality? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Spirit could indwell our lives just as much as the disciples?
The whole message of Pentecost is that we are included in that event today. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. New life in the Spirit can be ours because being filled with the Holy Spirit is a function of our connection to Jesus and our participation in the work of God in this world. As you enter rest this evening, there is no more perfect time to open yourself to the Holy Spirit? Put down any reservations you may have and just receive. Dare to believe that the Holy Spirit is with you and wants to move in your life. When we open ourselves to this reality, we might just find ourselves experiencing something kind of like the early disciples did.
Evening Prayer
Gracious Lord,
You are enthroned in honor, praise, and power. I thank you for the redemptive love that washes over me. I thank you that this night, I can know that I am loved, I am forgiven, I am empowered, all because you have promised your Holy Spirit to be with me, and upon me.
As I rest myself before you, Lord, I extend myself to you. I open my hands as a symbol that I am ready to receive the new life. Come, Holy Spirit, come. Fall on me, I pray. Breathe on me in power, wash over me, and set my soul on fire with a passion for your people.
Lord, your word tells me that your spirit, moving in me, can do infinitely more than I can ask or imagine. May your Holy Spirit be a ceaseless presence and a constant power in my life. I pray this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
