Little did anyone know how spectacular this feast day would be!
Of the three major feasts in the Bible, Pentecost, or the Day of Firstfruits, was a festive time of abundance and rejoicing.
This special time followed some 50 days after the first major feast called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. God utilized these special times not only to recognize His blessings on the people, but to illustrated future events to come.
The first feast of the year (Unleavened Bread) was the barley harvest representing the firstfruits. It is uniquely noted that during this time the resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred. He represented the firstfruit from the dead.
The third and final feast celebrated the final harvest of all the crops at the end of the year. It illustrates the final harvest, the resurrection of the just and the unjust at the end of the world.
The feast we celebrate this Sunday is the second significant feast called Pentecost, or the feast of the wheat harvest. It illustrates the giving of the gift of holy spirit and was the firstfruits of the spirit.
God amazingly performed major spiritual events with these significant feast days.
As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday, may we remember the incredible reality of the new birth spirit given on that day. May we walk in power realizing the fullness of the spirit of God in us. What a day!
Agape,
Bob
We all have pin numbers to remember. And if you are like me, you write them in a notebook, not to forget them.
Last Sunday at our Pentecost picnic Barney Barnhart masterfully shared a pin number few would never forget. 5683.
Why would we want to remember these four digits? Each number represents a letter. Check those numbers on a phone and you will see it spells: L O V E.
What is even more amazing is, if you are aware of the significance of numbers in the Bible, these four digits communicate a dynamic spiritual reality:
God’s grace to man, as evident in the number 5 (grace) and 6 (man), demonstrates God so loved man He graciously gave him a new beginning (8, indicating a new start) on life and because of it, he is now fulfilled (3, meaning complete) having spirit, body and soul.
5683 is a good number to put at the top of your pin number list never forgetting God’s grace (5), giving you (6) a new beginning (8) with spirit, which makes you complete (3).
Check out our website at actsnowfellowship.net for the recorded teaching.
Agape,
Bob
Ephesians 2:7 & 8:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
I recently came upon a story that illustrates one of the precious keys in our relationship with the Heavenly Father.
John was looking forward to getting home from his business trip. The flight would only be about two hours. Unfortunately it turned into two very uncomfortable hours. There was turbulence most of the flight. The pilot apologized for the inconvenience and assured everyone things would be OK. Still, John noticed that many were gripping their arm rests tightly, others were sick and it seemed everyone was very stressed out, except one little girl. John watched her as she read her book with no concern at all about the rough flight. While everyone was fearful, she remained calm. The plane finally landed to the relief of everyone. John wanted to check with the girl on why she did not express any fear during the flight. He spied her out and went up to her and asked her why she was not afraid during the flight. She replied to him saying, “I knew we would be safe because my dad is the pilot.”
The girl trusted in her father when he told everyone that, “everything would be OK.”
We might not have a pilot for our father, but we do have the Creator of the heavens and earth as our Heavenly Father directing our steps. He loves us and has made us to be His children. We are a new creation in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17) and have God as our dad.
1John 3:1:
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Galatians 4:6:
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba [Intimate term meaning “Daddy” in our times], Father.
Proverbs 3:5,6:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Whenever you are in a stressful situation, grab your mind, not looking at the turbulence around you, but remembering who your Pilot is!
Agape,
Bob
There is a wonderful principle that brings astonishing results as you minister to God’s people. So, have a seat and listen (read).
Jesus Christ demonstrated something that we can benefit immensely from. Once He finished redeeming man by His death, God raised Him up and made Him to sit at His right hand. Being seated infers that something is completed. God sat on the seventh day after creation. He was completely done.
Another key point in being seated is that the one seated has authority. You have probably seen movies and TV shows where the king or the judge is seated and different people approach him requesting favor knowing that the person seated has authority to perform. Jesus Christ when He was seated at the right hand of God, He was given authority as head of the Church. He was seated next to God.
Hebrews 10:12 & 13: [ESV] But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
When it comes to us walking in power as a son of God, we fully identify with Christ. The work He did we can do and greater work we can do because He went to His Father. God seated Christ at His right hand indicating all power was His.
Jesus delegated His authority to us. We have Christ in us (Colossians 1:27). Our believing flows from our authority in Christ. How do we know we have the authority to minister like Jesus did? We are seated with Him at the right hand of the Father!
Ephesians 1:19 & 20: [KJV] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 2:6: [KJV] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
You and I are just like a king or a judge who is seated, exercising his or her authority to make judgements or decisions. As a child of God seated at the right hand of God with Christ, we have the authority over everything that tries to defeat us! Whenever you are confronted by the adversary, remember all you have to do is “have a seat and bring deliverance.”
Agape, Bob
Heaven’s Math
You would think I would be jealous, but I am not. My wife has a relationship going that I much admire. She and the Heavenly Father have this thing going. As a result she always has something wise to share.
This morning she let me in on their most recent conversation. “Never underestimate heaven’s math.” One soul saved can bring about thousands.
We all seem to limit ourselves when we think of our seemingly minuscule efforts in ministering and moving God’s Word. I was reminded not to think disparagingly of what energy we put forth in the Family Business of “All men saved and coming to a knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4). God multiplies our efforts beyond what we can many times understand. Think about this in light of that: The angels “party down” when even one person repents and joins the family (Luke 15:7). He doesn’t need a whole bunch of people to cause a celebration in heaven.
What one believer can do, can multiply exponentially with God working in them. Look what Daniel and Joseph did with God working in them. Never underestimate heaven’s math!
Never underestimate heaven’s math in light of what you do and can do with the Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 6:14: … Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Remember, you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37); you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you (Philippians 4:13); you “can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you can ask or think according to the power that works in you” (Ephesians 3:20).
Agape,
Bob