The power of the Holy Spirit

​5-29-23
Fill me, Holy Spirit
Today's devotion is based on Acts 2:41: "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
 
When the Holy Spirit revealed himself on that first Pentecost Sunday, the people of Jerusalem witnessed a dramatic miracle. They heard men speak languages they had never studied before.
 
Anyone who has attempted to learn another language will verify how amazing a miracle it was when those mostly unschooled disciples started speaking all the world's different languages—without ever cracking a book.
 
But, the greatest Pentecost miracle occurred later than all the rest. The Bible tells us that "about three thousand were added to their number that day." think of it! Three thousand people raised from death to life! Three thousand people added to God's workforce to carry out our Savior's Great Commission to "Go and make disciples of all nations." there was no comparison with the miracle of faith that the Holy Spirit worked through God's Word that day.
 
That greatest Pentecost miracle continues today. The Holy Spirit bolsters and strengthens our hearts when we hear and read God's Word. When we speak God's Word, the Spirit works to bring people from death to eternal life. When used with God's Word, a simple splash of water in Baptism, a morsel of bread, and a sip of wine in the Lord's Supper creates and strengthens God's gift of faith. The Holy Spirit continues the greatest Pentecost miracle as we use and share God's Word and sacraments.
 
Please pray with me: Holy Spirit, through your Word and sacrament, continue to work your miracle of faith in my heart. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.