As I shared with you Sunday, I am going back to Seminary to get a Masters in Biblical Studies. I began this process in 2019 and when COVID hit, my studies got put on the back burner. I have 12 of the 36 hours, and I am ready to get started but must wait until May. In the meantime, I have been taking free classes through Dallas Theological Seminary. I have done a study on Thessalonians and Acts. I just finished a session called “Can you Trust the Bible?” and I will be starting a study on James this evening. I am loving learning more about the Bible and making it more real for me. I referenced a movie I watched on YouTube called “Acts of the Apostles.” It is from 1994 and those of us over 50 will recognize Dean Jones who plays Luke and James Brolin who plays Peter. What I loved about this movie is that you can open your Bible and follow along because everything said mirrors the book of Acts. You have to watch a few ads, but it is well worth it. The Bible came alive for me.
One of the things that really hit me was Paul and Peter’s devotion and willingness to ignore the law so they could bring salvation to the Gentiles. Over and over they were thrown out of cities, beaten, and imprisoned but it did not stop them from doing what God wanted them to do. Another eye-opener was the joy on the faces of those touched and filled by the Holy Spirit. Sure it is a movie, but you see the same joy on the faces of those worshipping at Asbury College. I see it on the faces of many of you as we worship together on Sunday.
I love what Carol Parker said in church on Sunday. She has been praying that the Holy Spirit would fill our hearts in the same way they have in the revival in Kentucky. I think we should all say that same prayer. It starts with us. We need to be the Pauls and Peters of 2023.
Acts 2:38 says, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We have the Holy Spirit in us. Are we so busy that we don’t pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s nudges? John 14:26 reminds us, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Are we teachable? Are we leadable? Let’s pray that we are. Then our revival can begin.
Shine, Shine, Shine!
Tina