Devotional Gems by Jolene: Holy Spirit

Friday, March 17, 2017

Holy Spirit - Established Church

HOLY SPIRIT- ESTABLISHED CHURCH

Part nine of fourteen in Commanded Holy Days Importance Today series

Acts 2:38-39: “Peter replied [to ‘What shall we do?’ question that people asked], ‘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.’”

The Holy Spirit is transforming whoever has decided to follow Jesus into His likeness. Right after the apostles received God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, crowds listened to Peter preach. God’s Spirit inspired Peter and led the hearts of 3,000 people to obey his instructions to claim salvation for themselves.

This began the Holy Spirit’s establishing the infant Church for God’s Kingdom.

We can make our indwelling Holy Spirit feel at home with hearts of pure gold.

God’s instructions for a holy container (the Ark) is found in Exodus 25:10-11. “Have them make a chest of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half long. (3 ¾ feet long, 2 ¼ feet wide and high). Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.”

People judge each other from the outside, but God judges one’s heart. Who we are beneath the surface must reflect who we appear to be on the outside. Only a person who is pure gold through and through is a fitting vessel for God.

Yahweh chose acacia wood obtained from a living creation in Ark construction. Trees change as they grow. People must also change as we grow. No one can become pure gold overnight. We grow into our best selves only with constant cooperating with the indwelling Spirit’s transforming work.

Take Home Nugget

Jesus joined the Old with the New Testament in the Bible with two great principles of love in Matthew 22:37-40. “Jesus replied [to What is the greatest commandment? question], ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.’”

Because God’s indwelling Spirit is alive, Believers-in-Christ can display pure-gold love as we grow. (See the lesson linked below).

God’s Spirit makes it possible for Believers’ growth to fully obey God’s love commandments. Holy-containers (Believers) fill God’s Spirit-established Church to serve and worship Him.

Holy Father, purify this holy container so that I can serve and worship You as a member of Your established Church! Amen.