Pentecost | considering the word

Acts 1:21-22: “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

When Jesus’ disciples were set to choose someone to take the place of Judas, these are the words they spoke. They wanted someone who had been with them from the beginning and could attest to all that Jesus had done and said. It needed to be someone who had been faithfully by their side along the journey, paying attention, and someone who could reveal Jesus’ true nature to others. They then chose 2 men and left it up to God to make the final decision.

I’m compelled to say to someone this morning, keep serving. Keep showing up. Keep being faithful.

Matthias was not one of the original 12 disciples, but he was 1 of the leaders who spread the gospel of Jesus after the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. His role was pivotal.

Had he not spent his early years showing up, he would not have been qualified by the Lord. Keep showing up. The Lord sees you and knows you by name. He is preparing a place for you.

Stay faithful,

jamie

Pr. 3:32: “For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright.”

The perverse person in this verse is one “who transgresses the law.” It is one who deliberately disregards the law and will of God, choosing to live a sinful life outside of God. With such, God cannot commune, as He cannot tolerate sin, and finds it abominable.

With the upright, on the other hand, He has secret counsel. He speaks to them, teaches them, and guides them moment by moment; readying them for their path ahead. I noticed an example of this in my reading this morning.

In Acts 2:14, Peter stands up, raises his voice, and begins speaking to a large crowd about Jesus. Peter had just been filled with the Holy Spirit and due to that, he who had previously denied Jesus boldly stepped forward, raised his voice, and proclaimed Jesus for all to hear. The Holy Spirit gave him utterance, but God had most certainly been working within Peter’s heart to ready Him for this.

In my experience, God does not send us forward to do something that He has not prepared us to do. He works within us, readying us, preparing us, equipping, training, and guiding us toward that moment. It is a secret counsel that we have with the Lord Himself of which no one else is likely aware.

When we choose to deliberately live a life outside of Him, this cannot take place. However, when our hearts are open before Him in fear and in loving submission, He can work within us, readying us and guiding us secretly for His greater plans. He can teach us and train us in the private depths of our hearts.

Just as the Lord readied Peter’s heart for the boldness the Holy Spirit would bring, He readies the upright for their own journey ahead.

Do not doubt the preparations of the Lord. He is mighty and able. If you are open to Him, He will teach, guide, and ready you for the journey He has in store for you. If He has been speaking secretly to you, continue with Him. When the time comes, you will be fully prepared and equipped. Not only that, but the Holy Spirit will be with you, helping every step of the way.

Keeping secrets,

jamie