When the Feast of Pentecost came, [the apostles] were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force — no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
—Acts 2:1-4 MESSAGE
The image of "tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them" (using the language of another translation) is a powerful one. This wildfire of God's grace signals the dawning of a new era in God's work of salvation. The message of Jesus is boldly proclaimed. Hearts are touched and convicted. Faith in Jesus is spread. People are baptized. The Spirit is given as God's gift. Sins are gone. A new movement that will sweep through the mighty Roman Empire is begun and is still with us today. The Holy Spirit is the wind that causes heaven's wildfire to spread through human hearts and change the future of people, family, friends, cultures, and nations. So let's pray for this wildfire to sweep through our lands, our churches, our friends, and our own hearts!
O Father in heaven, I know that the Holy Spirit lives in me and in the hearts of your people. But we yearn for a fresh movement of your Spirit to bring renewal, to empower evangelism, and to bring conviction of sin and a realization of grace, peace, and joy. I ask that your Holy Spirit will break out like wildfire among us and propel us to be the people our world needs us to be! In Jesus' name, we ask for this grace. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Acts 2:1-4 MESSAGE
Key Thought
The image of "tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them" (using the language of another translation) is a powerful one. This wildfire of God's grace signals the dawning of a new era in God's work of salvation. The message of Jesus is boldly proclaimed. Hearts are touched and convicted. Faith in Jesus is spread. People are baptized. The Spirit is given as God's gift. Sins are gone. A new movement that will sweep through the mighty Roman Empire is begun and is still with us today. The Holy Spirit is the wind that causes heaven's wildfire to spread through human hearts and change the future of people, family, friends, cultures, and nations. So let's pray for this wildfire to sweep through our lands, our churches, our friends, and our own hearts!
Today's Prayer
O Father in heaven, I know that the Holy Spirit lives in me and in the hearts of your people. But we yearn for a fresh movement of your Spirit to bring renewal, to empower evangelism, and to bring conviction of sin and a realization of grace, peace, and joy. I ask that your Holy Spirit will break out like wildfire among us and propel us to be the people our world needs us to be! In Jesus' name, we ask for this grace. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...
