POWER FROM ABOVE - WITHIN

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PENTECOST
Read: Acts 2:1–47

     Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:2 NIV

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     Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit and they would be witnesses to the world, beginning at Jerusalem. So they waited until the day of the feast of Pentecost when Jerusalem was filled with God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. (2:5) As the apostles began to speak, the people all said, "How is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?" (2:8)

     Peter, who had once fled in fear of the Jews, now stood up in front of the largest crowd of Jews he could possibly imagine, and says, "This man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (2:23-25)

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     What a change God's indwelling Spirit had made in Peter. Lord, this same Holy Spirit lives in us, please give us the courage to witness to our generation and the one to come.

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     The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39 NIV

THE TRINITY

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EQUAL WITH GOD

Read John 5:1–23     Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. John 5:18 NKJV

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     This passage in John is one of the strongest proofs that Jesus claimed to be one with the Father. The reason they wanted to kill Him was that He claimed equality with God. He not only said He was able to give life — He demonstrated it by raising people from the dead, and eventually rising from the dead Himself.

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     Men and women come to our doors today claiming that they believe in Jesus, but not in the Trinity. They cannot honestly believe in the Jesus of the Bible, without making Him a liar, because He claimed deity for Himself. He was more than a good teacher - He was and is the Son of God.

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     Lord, help me to give a confident and kind answer to those who come to my door with a false teaching about Jesus. Perhaps some day one of them will be searching for the real Jesus.

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     For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it . . . that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. John 5:21, 23 NIV

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

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Read: Luke 16:19-31

"I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment." Luke 16:27-28 NKJV

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Jesus taught in this powerful story of life after death, that the circumstances of this life – wealth or poverty – are of little consequence in comparison to our eternal destiny. The rich man in Hell was concerned that someone would tell his brothers how to avoid this "place of torment." Abraham's answer that the man's brothers would not be convinced, "though one rise from the dead" was prophetic of what was about to happen. Jesus did rise from the dead and the Pharisees still did not believe.

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It is not pleasant to consider the reality of eternal punishment. When people are still alive there is always the potential that they will hear the message and believe. But after death, there is no more hope. Lord, help us to remember this and realize the urgency of getting the message out to unbelievers. Bless our efforts in supporting our church and missions and telling others about the gospel.

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He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'" Luke 16:31 NKJV

EASTER DEVOTIONS

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED

Read John 14:1–31

     "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1 NKJV

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     The disciples still did not quite understand the clues Jesus had given of His coming death and resurrection. Thomas questioned Him about where He was going, and would not fully comprehend until after it all took place and he saw the nail prints in His hands.

     Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father…" (14:8–9)

     Then He promised, "I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever– the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (14:16-17)

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     God the Father would send His Holy Spirit not only to dwell with them, but in them. The Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – all working together to abide in us forever. Thank You Lord for this incomparable truth –"Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27 NKJV)

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     "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  John 14:27 NKJV