Sabbath Reflection – Pentecost

In Acts 2, we see the church begin. God poured out His spirit in a big way and on a broad scale to those whom He was calling and working with at that time. The commanded observance of the Feast of Pentecost is upcoming on this Sunday, May 24. When you read the chapters following Acts 2, you see the tremendous growth that God provided to that fledging group of believers. Thousands were baptized and fought their own battles of carnal nature.

 We are small in numbers when we look at the total population of the earth. But God is not about numbers. Read of the times He opened the earth to swallow those of the “congregation in the wilderness” who rebelled; to others He sent disease, fiery serpents, and other penalties for their disobedience. Numbers will come and go. But to you and me is the calling and opportunity to stand firm. To hold fast. To fully utilize God’s living in us through His spirit. The Feast of Pentecost in Acts 2 is not about talking in unintelligible speech or wind or about alcohol. It’s about God making His home in those who respond to His calling!

 In early 2024, Mr. Rick Shabi wrote, “God gives us the greatest opportunity any human being could be afforded when He calls us into His family, puts His Holy Spirit in us, and for the rest of our physical lives trains us, prepares us, lovingly corrects us and molds us (as we allow Him to) into who He wants us to become. We are being prepared to serve with and under His Son, Jesus Christ for eternity. For God to give us the promise of eternal life, we must endure to the end, always yielded to Him and His will, always committed to overcoming the world, ourselves, our carnal human nature, and the pride and lust of life.”

Let us be glad and rejoice at the coming of the 50th day since the wave sheaf offering. May we all be of one accord, looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith, who now sits at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2). Happy Sabbath to you all, and happy Feast of Pentecost. May God bless you richly for your obedience and submission to Him.

I wish you a profitable and value filled Sabbath,

Joe Greene 

Pastor for Richmond and Roanoke, Va

(434) 808-2146