Acts 2:1-4

It was necessary for Jesus to finish His work on earth opening the door to man for salvation and then to leave so that the Holy Spirit could come and indwell believers. The Holy Spirit would take the truth of Jesus and teach us the ways of God. For without the fullness of the Godhead we can do nothing but with the Mind, Body and Spirit of God nothing is impossible.

The Nations of Pentecost

In the first Christian century, Jewish communities were located primarily in the eastern Roman Empire, where Greek was the common language. There were Jewish communities as far west as Italy and as far east as Babylonia. In addition to people from the nations shown here, those present on the Day of Pentecost included visitors from Mesopotamia and even farther east, from Parthia, Media, and Elam (present-day Iran).

Pentecost was one of the three major Jewish festivals. From the Greek word for “fifty,” Pentecost was so named because it fell on the fiftieth day after the Sabbath of the Passover. Pentecost was also known as “the Feast of Weeks,” “the Firstfruits of the Wheat Harvest,” and “the Day of Firstfruits.” During this harvest celebration, the Jews brought to God the firstfruits of their harvest in thanksgiving, expecting that God would give the rest of the harvest as His blessing. This particular Day of Pentecost was the day of firstfruits of Christ’s church, the beginning of the great harvest of souls who would come to know Christ and be joined together through the work of the Holy Spirit. Note that the text does not say that the Spirit spoke through the apostles, but that the Spirit gave them the ability to speak in languages that they had not previously known. It appears that the “speaking in tongues” did not consist of proclaiming the gospel. Rather, the apostles were praising God’s mighty works.

Acts 2:1-4

2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Peter 5:8-11

Keep the faith, hate evil and allow patience to do its mighty work in you through Christ Jesus.


Satan is our avowed enemy. He never ceases from being hostile toward us; he is constantly accusing us before God. Satan is both cunning and cruel. He attacks when least expected and desires to destroy completely those whom he attacks. Victory comes when we remain committed to God, because He is greater than our enemy.

Like a doctor setting a broken bone, God will mend our broken lives and make us whole. God will make our way stable, despite the instability we feel living in a world that inflicts suffering upon us. God will give us the ability to succeed in all that we do for Him. As a consequence of our facing the attacks of our enemy, God will build in us a firm foundation that will make us steadfast and immovable.

God is in control of all things both in this world and throughout eternity.

1 Peter 5:811

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

May I suggest two books for you to read?

James 1:2-5

We are transformed precept upon precept into the perfect man, Christ Jesus. We think that we know the best way to go, think again, man’s ways are not God’s way…..seek the wisdom that only He can give and let patience do its work.


Trials are of outward circumstances—conflicts, sufferings, and troubles—encountered by all believers. Trials are not pleasant and may be extremely grievous, but believers are to consider them as opportunities for rejoicing. Troubles and difficulties are a tool which refines and purifies our faith, producing patience and endurance. The aim of testing is not to destroy or afflict, but to purge and refine. The meaning of patience transcends the idea of bearing affliction; it includes the idea of standing fast under pressure, with a staying power that turns adversities into opportunities. The wisdom God gives is not necessarily information on how to get out of trouble but rather insight on how to learn from one’s difficulties. The wisdom of God begins with a genuine reverence for the Almighty and a steadfast confidence that God controls all circumstances, guiding them to His good purposes.

James 1:2-6

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Nothing is impossible with God, nothing! From the beginning of creation God knew the evil that would befall man and He laid plans for mans’ salvation. He gave up His own life in the body of Jesus Christ to save all of us who would choose to accept His free gift.


Jesus is the firstfruits of all others who believe in Him. This is an OT image of the first installment of a crop which anticipates and guarantees the ultimate offering of the whole crop. The first man, Adam, transgressed God’s law and brought sin and death into the world; the second Man, Jesus Christ, was the perfect sacrifice to take away sin and to bring life and resurrection to those who believe in Him. God has allowed His enemy Satan to rule as the “prince of the power of the air” and the “god of this age”, but his final judgment before God is certain. God may be all in all indicates that there will be no challenge to the sovereign rule of God over all the universe. There will be universal peace and prosperity.

1 Corinthians 15:20

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Ezekiel 36:25-29

When we accept the salvation of Jesus Christ in water Baptism we are cleansed from original sin. In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit we are given the very heart of God to dwell within us and to guide us, precept upon precept, into the mind and will of God. It is all about Him and  His righteousness and nothing about our righteousness.


This is God’s forgiveness based on a blood atonement. The ritual of purification from sin would be empty and meaningless apart from true repentance and the regenerating and empowering work of the Holy Spirit on the inner spirit of individuals. God would not only restore the people physically to the land, but would restore them spiritually, by giving them a new heart and new spirit to help them follow Him and do His will.

Ezekiel 36:25-29

25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

Hosea 2:19-20

God is merciful and full of compassion. He is the lover of our souls and when we call out to Him He cleans us up and loves us for eternity. He never leaves us or forsakes us allowing us to call Him, Daddy!


Betrothal was a binding commitment, the last step before the wedding and consummation. The Lord emphasized that the new marriage between Himself and Israel would be permanent. Israel would respond positively to the Lord’s love and acknowledge that He is her husband and benefactor.

Hosea 2:19-20

19 “I will betroth you to Me forever;

Yes, I will betroth you to Me

In righteousness and justice,

In lovingkindness and mercy;

20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,

And you shall know the Lord.

Acts 22:1-5

Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom. We must always base our decisions on the love of God because without the filter of His love, as Jesus proved time and again, we can be dead wrong in our judgment and treatment of others.


Paul addressed the people in the Hebrew dialect, most likely Aramaic. When the people heard him speaking to them in their own language they were reminded that Paul was not a Gentile but a Jew like themselves. Therefore, they listened to what he had to say. Paul explained to the crowd that he understood why they were beating him and wanted him dead. They were zealous for God. Paul was not blaming them for what they had done to him. He pointed out that in his former zeal he would have done the same thing. Paul showed compassion even to his attackers; we should model that same type of compassion for all people.

Acts 22:1-5

22 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent.

Then he said: 3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God has you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

Ephesians 2:8-10

It is all about God and His gift to us in His word made flesh Jesus Christ. His perfect righteousness replaced our unrighteousness and He gave His life in death on the cross to give us life. God has a plan and a purpose for all of His creation, we only need to accept His gift and be His hands for good on this earth.


Christians have been saved by grace. The grace of God is the source of salvation; faith is the channel, not the cause. God alone saves. Salvation never originates in the efforts of people; it always arises out of the lovingkindness of God. We cannot do anything to earn our salvation. Some suggest that the gift of God modifies the word faith in this verse. Thus Paul is saying that even our belief in God does not originate in ourselves. This too is a gift.

2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Psalm 33:11

I have just returned from spending 3 days with my oldest daughter's 3 babies so that she and her husband could have a little r and r from their busy life and  she could get some much needed sleep time. My dear Holy Spirit made sure that it was indeed an enjoyable fun time and we even had my 4 year old grandaughter come for an overnight.....the parks and library may never be the same after our little parade of bikes, skooter and stroller!! It reminded me of my own 4 little ones and what sweet times we had!!

God’s way is the only way and His love plan for salvation in Christ Jesus extends to all of His creation.


In contrast to the ineffective counsel of the nations, the counsel of God is wise counsel that lasts forever. Those who listen to God’s counsel will be happy.

11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations

Psalm 27:1

We need fear no man nor any evil for in Christ Jesus we know the truth, and He will guide us here on earth and for eternity. Joy in the Lord is our strength.


Light indicates deliverance from darkness, which is a biblical symbol of evil. The word salvation combined with the word light means “saving light”.

Psalm 27:1

27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

Romans 10:8-11

How great a love that God has for us in placing His very heart, the Holy Spirit, into us to love, comfort and sustain us. He gave up His physical body in Christ Jesus in exchange for ours so that we could live with Him forever in His mercy and grace. No greater hopes have we than Christ within.


The condition for righteousness, that is for being justified, is internal faith. The condition of salvation, meaning deliverance from wrath and from the power of sin, is external confession which is calling on the Lord for help.

10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Psalm 101:1-2

1 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.

Oh, when will You come to me?

I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Proverbs 11:2-3

11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

The human culture is double minded and will only confuse you, God has all the answers, humbly seek His wisdom!

Proverbs 10:9

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

If we do what is right and fair we will have peace of mind. The truth always come out and anything done underhanded will be exposed.

1st Corinthians

If it is wrong, it is wrong! We must not be afraid to speak up for what is right and just.

15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

15:33 Do not be mislead "Bad company corrupts good character"

Acts 7:44-50

God's Tabernacle

Paul reminds us that God does not live in temples made by men but in all of His creation....

You cannot put God into a box ...nothing is impossible with Him, nothing!!

Sometimes I need a reminder that He alone controls everything and in Him is yes, yes to all we ask in His name according to His will!


Blessings for a wonderful day!

Acts 17:10-11

God does not expect us to believe everything that a minister tells us; instead it is a wise believer who searches out the truth in Scripture.


10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.