We continue moving toward the festival of Pentecost, the day in the life of the church when God’s Spirit was poured out on thousands: Men and women, young and old, starting with the original disciples. As his current disciples, we carry that Spirit as well. This week also keeps us moving through the highlights of the Apostles’ Creed to edify our spirits with the Word of God.

Apostles' Creed, Part 7

Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.

God’s promised return: When? Ha! Wouldn’t you like to know…? We do know that It will be with clouds descending according to Daniel, Acts, and the Revelation to John. No one will be able to escape or avoid Him. Of course, as a follower of Jesus, this is a great thing… the end of sin’s havoc in our lives, and the beginning of a new heaven and new earth. So then, using the words of the penultimate phrase of the bible (Revelations. 22:20):

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

We step into this week singing alleluia to You, Father, who clothes Your people with the Spirit from on high;

We sing alleluia to You, Jesus, who sent and continues to send the promised Holy Spirit;

We sing alleluia to You, Spirit, who helps us guard the good deposit
given to us by God the Father.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Luke 24:36-49

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 

They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

What jumps out at you from this Bible reading? Ask God why…

Apostle's Creed, Part 8

I believe in the Holy Spirit

Not only do we believe that the Holy Spirit is God, but since He is the one who calls people by the Gospel, we can only know God through His ministry (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

I believe in the Holy Spirit’s work in me (faith) and I pray that His work continues to others through me.

Holy Spirit, let your Gospel work in and through me.  Amen.

The Church’s One Foundation

by Samuel J. Stone

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

Apostle's Creed, Part 9

I believe in the holy catholic church (the “holy Christian Church”)

The word “Christian” would later be inserted by certain Protestant churches to overcome a stigma with the term “catholic” (which means universal). Some Non-Roman Catholics struggled to confess being “catholic” in their understanding. The irony is that we are saying that we only know of one holy church – neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant – but rather God’s Holy Church of whoever-believes-Jesus-is-Lord.

Remember: Take five to ten minutes a day to stop and listen, to connect with God in music. Let the Holy Spirit use it to feed your soul.

2 Timothy 1:6-7

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Father God, thank you again for the gift of Your Holy Spirit in my life. Based on the promises of Your word, I know that I have been given a Spirit of power rather than timidity – and that this gift can help me face all that comes at me in life. Once again I pray that you foster this gift in me so that I may live fully to your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

Apostle's Creed, Part 10

I believe in the communion of saints

This “communion of saints” or community of believers is made up of people claiming to be all types of religious titles and descriptions. Yet none of these groups can actually make one a part of this saintly community. Only faith in Jesus Christ allows access into this special group – taking sinners and, through the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood, making people “saints.”

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for making this sinner a saint by your loving sacrifice. Amen.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would remind his disciples of what he taught; That Spirit helps us too. Ask for His help as you open your devotional time, like for today:

Spirit of God, You are my primary teacher of God’s Word;
I yield my heart and mind, my soul and spirit, my will and
imagination to You as I immerse myself in the Word during
these dedicated moments; in Jesus’ name,  

Amen

2 Timothy 1:8

Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Father, can I be so bold as to pray that you help me to learn how to suffer by your power. I wonder if I know the meaning of such a prayer, but I pray that in your Spirit, you can show me how to live the same as Paul desired of Timothy.

Apostle's Creed, Part 11

I believe in the forgiveness of sins

This promise of Scripture, that there is forgiveness of sins, is what allows sinful people like you and me be identified with a holy title like “saint”. People aren’t saints because they do things right, or because they perform acts of kindness or even great miracles. The requirement for “sainthood” in the bible is being God’s child – and that comes only through faith in Jesus.

Father God, I am so thankful to be your child, forgiven and free. With deep appreciation, your saint…

Amen

If you ask people who don't believe in God why they don't, the number one reason will be suffering. If you ask people who believe in God when they grew most spiritually, the number one answer will be suffering.

-- Soul Keeping, John Ortberg, page 179

2 Timothy 1:6-14

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Father God, you have saved and called me and all disciples to a holy life – founded in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to learn what a holy life looks like from your perspective, to develop that “sound pattern of teaching” and lifestyle that lines up with your Word – and to surround myself with others living under the same call; In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Apostle's Creed, Part 12

I believe in the resurrection of the body

God’s Word teaches that we are not done with our physical bodies when we die, but that God will raise them up on the day when Jesus returns to set up the new heaven and new earth. But as our bodies re-unite with our souls, they will be changed – no longer susceptible to sin, disease, failure, and death, but powerful, glorious, and imperishable (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

Lord, I look forward to the gift of such a body to honor you with.

Amen.

2 Timothy 1:14

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Apostle's Creed, part 13

I believe in life everlasting.

Life Everlasting: A whole new life created by God without end. God is creating it to be enjoyed by his children, at a much greater level than our current state allows, plagued with sin and death. There, with body and soul, we will know God’s immediate presence in a new way.

Lord God, let your Holy Spirit work in me so that others may come to know this gift of life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Amen.