THE PROMISE WAS NOT MEANT TO END WITH YOU

In Acts 1:4, just before Jesus ascends into Heaven, He gathers His followers and tells them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for THE PROMISE.  He told them they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.  They obeyed the command of Jesus, gathered together and began to pray and wait for THE PROMISE.  In Acts 2, we read, “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.”  THE PROMISE had come!  THE CHURCH had been born!  This Sunday, which is Pentecost Sunday, we will celebrate this glorious birthday of the Church and most wonderful of all, THE PROMISE WAS NOT MEANT TO END WITH THE DISCIPLES!

Read through the Book of Acts, there are thousands that testify of having received the Holy Spirit; The Promise.  In Acts 2:39, Peter proclaimed, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”  Around the world, people are still experiencing the outpouring of The Promise in their own lives.  But THE PROMISE IS NOT MEANT TO END WITH THEM!

As a child, I heard sermons preaching about The Promise, witnessed people receiving the Holy Spirit, responded to the invitation to come and receive it and at the age of 9, I received The Promise; the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in my own life.  But THE PROMISE WAS NOT MEANT TO END WITH ME!

One of my greatest joys as a parent, was witnessing Steve baptize our boys in the Name of Jesus and rejoicing with them as they received THE PROMISE.  Now there is a new generation, my grandchildren.  They must be told about this wonderful Promise from God and how they can experience it for themselves, that it will give them POWER and GUIDE them their entire life.  Steven and Philip, THE PROMISE WAS NOT MEANT TO END WITH YOU!

This week, my sister, Valerie, posted some pictures of her grandbabies, praying and worshiping at Youth Camp.  One of the sweetest pictures is of 7 year-old Levi and his Mom, Sarah, rejoicing after he had just received the Holy Spirit.  There were others of 6 year-old Emma Grace and 8 year-old Charlie, repenting and asking God to fill them with The Promise.  What joy fills my heart to know that THE PROMISE didn’t end with Val and me, nor did it end with our children but now a third generation is experiencing the same Promise that the 120 experienced on the Day of Pentecost.

I hope that many will celebrate the Birth of the Church, this Sunday.  I pray that the Message of Pentecost will continue to be preached around the world.  My greatest desire is that millions will hear The Message, respond and receive their personal experience of The Promise.  Share it with your Family, your Neighbor, the Waitress at the Restaurant, and even the person giving you a pedi, because THE PROMISE WAS NOT MEANT TO END WITH YOU!

FANCY PURSES SIT ON A SHELF

I find the excitement of shopping for a new purse rivaled only by shopping for new shoes.  My dressing room has shelves dedicated to purses and the only good reason to thin out my collection is because it is time to replace an outdated or worn out bag with a new one. 

As I removed, rearranged and made room for new arrivals, the many adventures attached to each purse came flooding back.  The lovely wedding, a relaxing vacation, a coveted new Spring ensemble, a color I just could not do without and the flower-splashed bag that is always sure to garner compliments.  

The only one not found in the jumbled array is my favorite, serviceable black leather purse.  It sits on a chair, ready to be of service at a moment’s notice.  It is a bit scuffed, the shoulder strap has a few threads needing to be clipped and there is even a smudge of dirt on the side.  If you look inside, you will find the usual wallet, glasses, and lip gloss; but you will also find a toy soldier and a fruit snack from the grandkids, a few used tissues and crumpled receipts, breath mints and scraps of paper containing “blog” notes from observations during my adventures.  All the purses on the shelf are empty, waiting for a special occasion but not this purse; it is standing, always ready for any errand, appointment or whim.

It is so tempting to look longingly at the beautiful, cherished collectibles proudly displayed on the shelf of life.  They are always perfectly dusted, fresh and clean, just waiting for the special occasions that comprise their destiny.  No matter how much I pretend or polish and buff, I was never created to be the “fancy purse on the shelf.”  If you look really close you will see a few scuff marks and smudges remaining from the last battle, a crumpled tissue used to wipe away the tears and a ready "bottle of water" for the soul who needs to be refreshed.  An old “receipt” listing time spent sitting with a sick friend or some notes sent to encourage a weary sister. 

Yes, sometimes my life gets cluttered and I need to do a little housekeeping to make room for the next assignment, but you’ll never find me sitting all prim and proper on the shelf….that’s for “Fancy Purses” still waiting for a special occasion.