Happy Birthday, Church!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Today is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Church. So, it is YOUR BIRTHDAY, because YOU ARE the Church going and coming.

Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Easter) commemorates the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and those in the Upper Room. Pentecost fulfills Jesus’ promise when He said: “I must go away but I will send the Holy Spirit to you!” (John 16:5-15) and it launches the large-scale spreading of the Gospel.

Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, He said these words to His disciples: “When the Holy Spirit comes to you, you shall receive POWER.” (Acts 1:8) How awesome is that?

Peter is a great example of how God turns a fearful, impulsive coward who denied even knowing Jesus, into a powerful, bold and courageous witness for Christ. It was because of Pentecost, and Peter receiving that power promised by Jesus. Acts 2:41 records that Peter spoke to the crowd and 3,000 people were baptized. Power-less to power-full! And that’s what Holy Spirit does for us, too!

My story is very similar to Peter’s. I was weak, timid, and afraid but because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life, I have weathered and even overcome many storms in my life. The Holy Spirit has given me the confidence to share the Good News boldly and unafraid. The power of the Holy Spirit is available to anyone who is a believing and obedient Christian who desires the fullness of God’s Spirit.

I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is the answer to anything OR anyone we encounter. How was it possible to be a bold witness of Jesus back in those days of tyranny and oppression? How is it possible for us to overcome the challenges in our lives? How is it possible to experience John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The moment we received Christ, the Holy Spirit not only came to live in us, but He also imparted the power to overcome the enemy’s tactics. “Be filled” means to allow the Holy Spirit to produce His attitudes and actions in the life of the believer. We received amazing gifts of the Holy Spirit when we received Christ and a big bushel of fruit. Galatians 5:22: “The Fruit of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

People ask me: “What’s your secret?” “How can you always be so happy?” It is no secret. It is the natural product of “living in the Spirit” and embracing His presence and fellowship. Through life’s ups and downs, I know peace, faith and comfort because of the Holy Spirit.

Won’t you pray this prayer with me today in celebration of Pentecost Sunday and Holy Spirit Who lives in you? It’s simply acknowledging His presence and His power that is available to you today.

“Dear Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, welcome into my life. I know You are living in me. Today I acknowledge that You are my helper, my counselor, my comforter, and my peace. I ask for Your gifts and fruit to be evident in my life.

Lord, please baptize me like those in the Upper Room. I ask You for the same radical transformation as the disciples had when their fear, anxiety, timidity and concern was turned to empowered people of love, faith, boldness, and courage. Come Holy Spirit!