Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Pentecost: Holy Spirit who Renews All Creation
Joel 2:28-32
Devotion
We live in a very degrading moral and cultural society, far away from the Word of God. There is total deprivation in all walks of life from young to old.
There are no consequences for the sins committed. Nobody is accountable to anyone.
We are strangled with fear of circumstances, fear of war, fear of pandemic, fear of the future. This has become the norm of the day in the very present society we live in. Is there purpose for the human life on this earth leading to nowhere?
Four years back we had fear of Covid and so many lives were lost all over the world. Those who have been affected by this are still going through pain of the deadliest pandemic the world faced. From generations to generations we see the wrath of God on this earth. What are the effects we have to anticipate and how do we try to find an answer for the evils we face today? Does the Spirit of God helps to renew us daily in our walks of life?
Yes there is still hope in Christ for those who believe in Him!
The name Joel means the Lord is God. The book of Joel focuses its prophetic judgment on the southern kingdom of Judah. Prophet Joel spoke to the Kingdom of Judea, Jerusalem being the capital. Three major plaques are mentioned in the Book of Joel-locusts, drought and fire. Joel gives penetrating judgment on the people for their sins. God speaks to the people through disaster. There are consequences for sins and where there is no repentance there is judgment. It’s the judgment of the Lord on the people for their iniquities. But the Lord says there is still hope. Repentance is essential before deliverance. The book of Joel teaches about the power of the combined prayers and fasting of God’s people during a time of great difficulty in Israel’s history. He prophesied that God’s people would be filled with visions, dreams and the power of the Holy Spirit.
According to Joel 2:28-32, God was going to pour out His Spirit on all mankind and their sons and daughters would prophesy, old men would dream dreams, young men would see visions, and even male and female servants would have the Holy Spirit poured out on them.
As believers we must be happy to read the above verse which was spoken so positively in the days of Prophet Joel. We have to believe this with no regrets. Every believer has the Holy Spirit not matter what age or gender and after receiving the Spirit they were to be empowered. This was amazing during the time of Joel when people sinned and there was a promise of fulfillment of the Spirit with repentance of heart. One of the surprising outcomes of Joel’s prophecy was that even non-Jews were filled with the Spirit. All people were offered this gift.
In the New Testament Acts 2:15-17, Peter is preaching on the Day of Pentecost quoting from the Book of Joel chapter 2:28-32. From that time, the Holy Spirit indwells on all those who come to faith in Jesus Christ. Anyone who wishes to enjoy the remission of past sins must call on the name of the Lord by obeying the Gospel plan of salvation. Whosever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered and be filled the Spirit of God. Holy Spirit is not merely an influence that illuminates our minds to comprehend the truth but a being who Himself knows the truth. Knowing the truth will set you free – John 8:31.
Devotion
We live in a very degrading moral and cultural society, far away from the Word of God. There is total deprivation in all walks of life from young to old.
There are no consequences for the sins committed. Nobody is accountable to anyone.
We are strangled with fear of circumstances, fear of war, fear of pandemic, fear of the future. This has become the norm of the day in the very present society we live in. Is there purpose for the human life on this earth leading to nowhere?
Four years back we had fear of Covid and so many lives were lost all over the world. Those who have been affected by this are still going through pain of the deadliest pandemic the world faced. From generations to generations we see the wrath of God on this earth. What are the effects we have to anticipate and how do we try to find an answer for the evils we face today? Does the Spirit of God helps to renew us daily in our walks of life?
Yes there is still hope in Christ for those who believe in Him!
The name Joel means the Lord is God. The book of Joel focuses its prophetic judgment on the southern kingdom of Judah. Prophet Joel spoke to the Kingdom of Judea, Jerusalem being the capital. Three major plaques are mentioned in the Book of Joel-locusts, drought and fire. Joel gives penetrating judgment on the people for their sins. God speaks to the people through disaster. There are consequences for sins and where there is no repentance there is judgment. It’s the judgment of the Lord on the people for their iniquities. But the Lord says there is still hope. Repentance is essential before deliverance. The book of Joel teaches about the power of the combined prayers and fasting of God’s people during a time of great difficulty in Israel’s history. He prophesied that God’s people would be filled with visions, dreams and the power of the Holy Spirit.
According to Joel 2:28-32, God was going to pour out His Spirit on all mankind and their sons and daughters would prophesy, old men would dream dreams, young men would see visions, and even male and female servants would have the Holy Spirit poured out on them.
As believers we must be happy to read the above verse which was spoken so positively in the days of Prophet Joel. We have to believe this with no regrets. Every believer has the Holy Spirit not matter what age or gender and after receiving the Spirit they were to be empowered. This was amazing during the time of Joel when people sinned and there was a promise of fulfillment of the Spirit with repentance of heart. One of the surprising outcomes of Joel’s prophecy was that even non-Jews were filled with the Spirit. All people were offered this gift.
In the New Testament Acts 2:15-17, Peter is preaching on the Day of Pentecost quoting from the Book of Joel chapter 2:28-32. From that time, the Holy Spirit indwells on all those who come to faith in Jesus Christ. Anyone who wishes to enjoy the remission of past sins must call on the name of the Lord by obeying the Gospel plan of salvation. Whosever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered and be filled the Spirit of God. Holy Spirit is not merely an influence that illuminates our minds to comprehend the truth but a being who Himself knows the truth. Knowing the truth will set you free – John 8:31.
Prayer
Father God, we need restoration of the Spirit in our daily lives. Holy Spirit help us to open our eyes to praise you and thank you for the resurrected power of Christ which you have promised on every believer, in Jesus name we pray-Amen!
Thought for the Day
“Holy Spirit is a divine person of infinite majesty, glory, holiness, and power, who in marvelous condescension has come into our hearts to make His abode there and take possession of our lives.” Reuben Archer Torrey-American Evangelist.
Angie Mathews – St. John’s Mar Thoma Church, New York
Father God, we need restoration of the Spirit in our daily lives. Holy Spirit help us to open our eyes to praise you and thank you for the resurrected power of Christ which you have promised on every believer, in Jesus name we pray-Amen!
Thought for the Day
“Holy Spirit is a divine person of infinite majesty, glory, holiness, and power, who in marvelous condescension has come into our hearts to make His abode there and take possession of our lives.” Reuben Archer Torrey-American Evangelist.
Angie Mathews – St. John’s Mar Thoma Church, New York