MONDAY - JUNE 8

Read. Acts 2:1-13
When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

5 There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. 7 They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? 8 How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!” 12 They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” 13 Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”

Reflect. Think about a time you have been stuck outside in a storm. What did it smell like? What did it feel like? What did is sound like? Now, imagine that you were sitting inside and this storm brewed inside the room. What are you feeling? What are you thinking? What do you think it would have been like if you were in the room with Jesus followers when the Holy Spirit Descended? 

• In verse 5, we read how there were Jews from all over the world who were living in Jerusalem at the time. These people came from different places and spoke different languages. The Holy Spirit came to connect them all in the love of Jesus. How do you think this same Holy Spirit could bring us together during this difficult days? 
• In Genesis 11:1-9 we read the story of the tower of Babel. This is a story of human arrogance and sin that caused God to act in a way that dispersed the people into different places and languages. In many ways, Acts 2 is a reversal of the tower of Babel story. Though differences are not erased, people are brought together, not because of human achievement, but through the power of  God's Spirit. 

Pray. Lord and Savior, you sent forth your Holy Spirit on your first believers, fill me today with your grace and spirit. Help me to live as a spirit filled human being. Amen.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST
Doug. Bobby. Collier. Glenn. Adam.  Mary.  Clyde.  Linda. Betty Carolyn. Jeff. Albert. Richard. Lois. Ross. Frances Atkins Tiny. Donald. Bill. Barbara. Andreas. Baker Family.