50 days from Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is PENTECOST!
"Pentecost is a holy day when Christians commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus Christ. Originating from a Greek word meaning "50th day," Pentecost occurred 50 days after Christ's resurrection. Before the events of Pentecost, Jesus had followers, but there was no movement that could really be called the church. Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church. In Pauses for Pentecost, Trevor Hudson leads readers to focus on one word and scripture verse each day. He invites us to pause for just a few minutes to read the brief daily reflection and do a simple practice. The beauty of this book is its simplicity, and the thoughtful meditations guide us to a deeper understanding of the meaning of Pentecost." |
I've continued to "Pause" (as I did during Lent) with a book by Trevor Hudson again
🔥"Pauses for Pentecost"🔥
Fortunately, it's only been a week, but that means I've missed sharing 7 days with you
and that means 7 One Words & Scriptures, which are (were) the following:
Day 1 STONE Matthew 28:1-2 (NIV) Day 2 ANGEL Matthew 28:3-6 Day 3 AHEAD Matthew 28:7 Day 4 *JOY* Matthew 28:8 Day 5 CRYING John 20:15 Day 6 BURNING Luke 24:32 Day 7 TABLE Luke 24:30 |
* I am also doing a You Version plan that focuses on just JOY for the month of April:
Pause: A Month of Joy in 5 Minutes a Day
It's not at all like the books by Trevor Hudson or associated with the same type of "pauses".
There are 4 plans of 30 days by Lance Lang, Hope is Alive Ministries. I am enjoying this plan & the author's style of using:
Proclaim, Prompt, Prod, Praise, Pray each day in the devotions.
After Resurrection SONday,this is a great way to continue the JOYFUL celebration with even more JOY because
"When we are full of JOY, life becomes worth living."
(and personally, I need to pause & focus more on JOY in my life because of Jesus!)
I need the fullness of JOY - Resurrection JOY & POWER!
{I didn't mean to digress, yet when Day 4 was JOY, it made me think of this plan.}
<><><>
So let's go back & continue with "Pauses for Pentecost" for this 2nd Week:
Day 8 BREATHED John 20:22 (NIV) Day 9 DOUBT John 20:27 Day 10 MORNING John 21:4 Day 11 LEAD John 21:18 Day 12 ALIVE Ephesians 2:4-5 Day 13 RAISED Colossians 3:1 Day 14 DEATH Colossians 3:5 |
These are wonderful reflections given for each day of the 50 days along with a Daily Practice.
I probably will not continue sharing all 50 days with the One Words & Scriptures
but I encourage you to get a copy(Kindle was very inexpensive)
and allow this season between Jesus' Resurrection & Ascension to Pentecost Dayto be a time for us as followers of Jesus Christ (Christians, in the real sense)to enter more fully into God's good news daily together as we meditate on the filling of
the Holy Spirit, in the early church & now, letting the risen Christ
bring us alive & full of the Spirit & His Resurrection power!
When I read and followed "Pauses for Lent", I was looking forward to continuing with
"Pauses for Pentecost"
to continue my journey intentionally to be refreshed by His Spirit
with the wondrous glory of God
alive in me (us)!
Seeking, thirsting and ready continually
through Christ Jesus for Jesus' return filled with the Living Spirit!
I'm so thankful I discovered these books & this author!
<><><>
And I am continuing with my weekly
ONE WORD
also
This week is
CHOOSE
John 3:30 BSB
again, the One Word "CHOOSE" is not in the verse, it's found in the devotion & in the
FOCUS TIP
"... focus on CHOOSING His way over yours. When a decision needs to be made, remind yourself that you have a choice and then CHOOSE Him - every time. ... His way is always going to win." Cleere Cherry Reaves |
The main reflection question for me:
"...are you CHOOSING what is comfortable over what is Christlike?..."
WOW
(ouch)
😳
Excellent points & questions throughout this devotion by Cleere Cherry Reaves again
for this week as we allow this One Word to transform our lives.
<>
I certainly see a spiritual connection for me between
"CHOOSE"
and
the Holy Spirit's filling during
"Pauses for Pentecost"
"HE MUST INCREASE; I MUST DECREASE"
*Deuteronomy 30:19-20(NLT); Job 23:11(NIV); Psalm 16:11(NIV); Matthew 7:13(NIV)
* has the One Word "Choose"; there are many choices if you click on "CHOOSE"
"Jesus, more of You, less of me."
🙏
Good Word(s) to Focus on for this week!
[image credit: Mary Davis quote]