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1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Par'thians and Medes and E'lamites and residents of Mesopota'mia, Judea and Cappado'cia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phryg'ia and Pamphyl'ia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyre'ne, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. 21 And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Acts 2:1-12 Revised Standard Version Bible)
A blessed and safe Tuesday for you, dear Friend; praying that you know God knows right where you are, and what you are facing - and He's in control. Fear not! I ask prayers for the family of Mrs. Rosa Sandoval, a faithful member of El Mesias UMC of Mission, Texas. It was my pleasure and privilege to have been her pastor for eleven years, twelve if you count my internship year there. Rosa was an inspiration to many, having brought her husband to faith, and together they blessed a lot of people. Many are the stories I have about her life and dedication to Jesus. May she rest in glory and may God's comfort be with her family. Pray for one another. Pray for the needs of the world. Pray for your needs.
This morning I was waiting in line for the postal clerk at the Seguin Post Office. The client in front of me was having trouble understanding the clerk and vice versa. I understood both. The woman started to rush off thinking what she needed was not possible. I asked the woman the question the clerk had asked and told him the answer. In a matter of two sentences she had the keys to her POBox and the clerk was thankful. I love being bilingual. It has opened a lot of doors and allowed for blessings to flow to and from me.
I celebrate that Pentecost was, in God's opinion, a matter of the world knowing and understanding each other. Think the old Coke commercial about teaching the world to sing in perfect harmony? And I think of the time at a General Conference going to the elevator when I noticed that the delegate from the Czech Republic was also awaiting one and I greeted him in Czech. His face beamed and he replied and could not stop hugging me and he went beyond the Jak Se Mas that I knew. But I got it. I made a connection that he was missing during his time in the USA and his joy gave away his heart for the language he spoke on a daily basis. And that was the point of Pentecost. That in the middle of a city filled with Jews from all over the world, in town for an important festival and celebration, these Jews heard in their language, men from whom this was not expected, telling of God's mighty works. In their own tongue!
Appearances didn't matter to God either, as the boldness with which the disciples were sharing Jesus the people thought they were drunk. I imagine it was their enthusiasm with which they were doing it. This shocked the visitors from other lands, but it allowed Peter to share his first sermon which resulted in 3,000 new converts; in reality it was but the start of this movement that has reached about a billion or more, whose lives were changed for the better for the gift of salvation was theirs. This movement touched the person who told you about Jesus. Whom have you told?
PRAYER: Loving God of the whole world, grant to us the manner and method to reach the world for You. Help us speak the language of love to all people so we can share Jesus, for it is in His name that we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: If you speak another language use it to share Jesus; if you can show love, do it!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
