May: The Holy Spirit and Pentecost
-Taken from Paula White's 'First Things First' Study Guide
Pentecost, also called “Shavuot”, is a festival of harvest and revelation. Established in the book of Exodus, Pentecost commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai from God to Israel. It also commemorates the giving of the Holy Spirit to the Disciples and those in the upper room. The word “Pentecost” means 50th; the days from Passover to Shavuot was 50 days, and from the Resurrection to the dispensation of God’s Holy Spirit was 50 days.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
Pentecost helps commemorate a call to worship, as well as God infusing His people with power (dudemus). As believers, we need to understand to get on God’s “rhythm” or “cycle”. He knew the rhythms that we would need, which is why He decided 50 days between victory (the Resurrection) and empowerment (the dispensation of God’s Holy Spirit).
When Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples, He spoke of Him in terms such as helper, comforter, guide or teacher. He is called the “Spirit of Grace” in Hebrews 10:29 – and is far too gracious to impose or force Himself where He is not received or welcomed!
I Corinthians 3:16:17 reminds us to be cognizant of the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit within us: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” It is up to each of us individually to decide to heed the counsel of the Holy Spirit – that “still small voice” that spoke to Elijah with revelation in 1 Kings 19:12 – and is still available to guide us, and reveal God’s will for us, today.
God’s Holy Spirit never leaves us. His Spirit is omnipresent, and omniscient; there is no issue great or small that cannot be brought into alignment with God’s will though the counsel of His Holy Spirit within us.
"It is up to each of us individually to decide to heed the counsel of the Holy Spirit – that “still small voice” that spoke to Elijah with revelation in 1 Kings 19:12 – and is still available to guide us, and reveal God’s will for us, today."
God’s Holy Sprit is also a refresher, and a rejuvenator; you must spend time with His Spirit, in His Presence, actively seeking His renewing energy in your life. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” Being in Christ means being joined to Him by and through His Holy Spirit.
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