May 9, 2010

Scriptures for May 9th: Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21:1-10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29
Songs: Happy the Home when God is There – UMH 445; Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise – UMH 103; We’ve a Story to tell the Nations – UMH 569

Acts: Paul gets a vision to go to Macedonia to serve. The verses today teach us a lot about visions, and a lot about ministry that is guided by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul has been traveling all throughout the gentile land, telling people about Jesus. Sometimes he is accepted, and other times he is chased out of town. But yet and still Paul has a message from God. It is a two fold mission of giving and receiving. He is collecting money for the widows in Jerusalem, and he is saving souls for Christ. In Macedonia, Paul meets Lydia, and is able to baptize her entire family. In return the Macedonian church eventually gives more than any church to help. They are grateful for what God has given them, how we do show God gratitude for the good news?

John: Last week, Jesus gave the commandment for us to love one another as we have been loved. In his farewell speech he continues to speak of exactly what that means. It is hard to be reminded to love the one that are closest to you. We are reminded that the Spirit is coming to give us guidance on what that means. The Holy Spirit guides us in all aspects of living as a Christian. Iit is so important for us to pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is telling us. The Spirit can speak to us through dreams, visions, and even our church family. We just have to be able to expect it. Jesus says that he is telling us what will happen, so that when it happens we can understand what is going on.

Questions: Do you believe that the Spirit speaks to us through visions? What visions has God given to you to serve? Did you take your vision seriously and act upon it? Have you ever experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit? How did it feel? What practices can you put in place that will allow you to know when the Spirit is speaking to you?