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Amazing What Happens When the Holy Spirit is Allowed to Work Among Us
From Acts 2:14a, 36-41: But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
The man who denied Jesus becomes the first man to preach Him and He risen! From that dark night of fear and doubt when he denied Jesus not once but three times, to this morning of triumph, Peter preaches Jesus and Jesus' Holy Spirit, promised by Him, and incredible, unexplainable things happen. The message was simple: Get right with God and yourself. You know your life has sin, get rid of it, and receive God's power for new living in your old life right now. God has the power to forgive your sins and the power to help you a new life. The result? Three thousand people were baptized and added to the Church.
The message of new life connects with people in need. John the Baptist started with a simple message, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand," and received a long line of those wanting to be baptized in the Jordan River. Jesus came right behind him with the same message and transformed the world. Peter continued, and the result was a need for another worship service or two.
This Easter season is the perfect time for us to take advantage of all that Christ did for our behalf. He paid the price for our sinfulness and nailed to the cross all of our sins. Whatever obstacle still stands between you and God can be removed. You just speak it to God and turn it over to Him and He will remove it from your life. The weight of guilt and shame no longer has to be a part of what you carry with you.
Speak this message to someone in need. A life lived in guilt and shame will lead to physical troubles like stress and despair and heartache. Thankfully, in God we have the cure. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that in abundance." Accept Christ for Who He is and what He offers to us.
PRAYER: The old children's song says, "Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in to stay, come in today, come into my heart Lord Jesus." Lord, while there remove the sin and add life to my life. In Your name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
