Revised Common Lectionary

Jesus is taken up into heaven. The Holy Spirit is given to us. We read, in John 7:39, that ‘the Spirit’ would not be ‘given’ until Jesus was ‘glorified.’ Now, as Jesus was about to be ‘taken up... into heaven’, He tells His apostles, ‘the Holy Spirit’ will ‘come upon you’ (Acts 1:11, 8). He gives them His Word of promise: ‘I send the promise of my Father upon you’. He gives them His Word of command: ‘stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high’ (Luke 24:49). They wait upon the coming of the Holy Spirit. They cannot fill themselves with the Spirit. They can only ‘be filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:18). Waiting for the Spirit, the apostles ‘devote themselves to prayer’ (Acts 1:14). They do not earn the Holy Spirit as a reward for spending much time in prayer. Waiting on God, their strength is renewed as they receive God’s gift (Isaiah 40:31; Luke 11:13). Jesus is taken up into heaven. May His Name be exalted in all the earth. ‘Be still,...

Day 304 Joel 1:1-2:17 ;  Hebrews 3:1-19 ;  Psalm 119:137-144 “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” ( Joel 2:13 ). The call to return to the Lord is an urgent call: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” ( Hebrews 3:7-8 ). Those who have returned to the Lord acknowledge that His way is best - “Righteous are You, O Lord, and Your laws are right” ( Psalm 119:137 ). They delight in doing God’s will: “Your commands are my delight” ( Psalm 119:143 ). Day 305 Joel 2:18-3:21 ;  Hebrews 4:1-13 ;  Psalm 119:145-152 As in Hebrews 3, we find again, in Hebrews 4, the words, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” ( Hebrews 4:7 ). The Word of God speaks of “the coming of the great and dreadful Day of the Lord” ( Joel 2:31 ). We are called to decision - “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision” ( Joel 3:14 ). To those who are in the valley of decision, God ...