Author: Rev. Monica

Preparing for Pentecost:
God’s Holy Purpose for Us

Big Bethel AME Church Christian Education Ministries
The Reverend John Foster, PhD - Senior Pastor
The Reverend Monica C. Jones, PhD - Director

Preparing for Pentecost: God’s Holy Purpose for Us
A Seven-Day Devotional and Guide

Come Holy Spirit
(A Prayer)
Come Holy Spirit, come Heavenly Dove. Shower down upon us your sacred,
soul-healing love!
We need your presence in this place; we need to feel your power and your soul-saving grace!
Come Holy Spirit, come Heavenly Dove. Shower down on us your everlasting love.
M. Jones
Breathe on Me, Breath of God (Hatch)
1 Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love the way you love, and do what you would do.
2 Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until my will is one with yours, to do and to endure.

Pentecost: What It Means and What It Should
Mean to Us
Scriptures to Read in Preparation for Pentecost
Luke 24:49-50, Acts 1 and 2
We celebrate Pentecost each year which occurs 7 weeks after Resurrection Day. Perhaps we know that the word Pentecost means fifty (number of days after Passover) and refers to the descending of the Holy Spirit upon the people as Jesus predicted. We are familiar with the popular text that is read from pulpits and holy desks, Acts 2. If someone were to ask us, however, why we commemorate this sacred day and what it means to us, could we respond? Do we understand what it means to be “filled with the Holy Spirit?”
The Biblical Background
We know that when God created the world, he was not alone, but accompanied by others, for he said, “Let US make humankind…” (Gen. 1:26 NRSV). We witness the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (OT), and in the coming of the Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, from the beginning of time, the Holy Spirit was present! The power of the Holy Spirit was that of our Creator, who is the Head of the Trinity, Three in One. This mystery of existence is not for us to explain, but to accept on faith.
The Holy Spirit Among Us
As early as Exodus 31:1, we find God using the Holy Spirit to change human beings for the better, as he did with Bezalel, who became a great artisan for the Lord. God told Moses that he would fill Bezalel with the Holy Spirit empowering him to create beautiful creations!

Pentecost: What It Means and What It Should Mean to Us
Throughout the OT, and right up to the moment when Christ was born, there is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence changing, molding, teaching and strengthening us. Therefore, what exactly does this mean for us? How is it relevant in our faith walk today?
Denominational Differences
Some denominations see the filling of the Holy Spirit within us as the step beyond salvation. It happens as we “tarry” or pray for the Holy Spirit to come. When it happens, our proof is the gift of speaking in tongues.
As AME believers, we understand that there are many gifts; the Holy Spirit, through the power of God, grants us those gifts according to God’s will. Just as Bezalel was gifted with creativity after being filled with the Holy, Spirit, then so are we! As we prayerfully submit ourselves to God, we can be used as God’s vessels, however God chooses to use us. Our task is to listen to God’s voice and then do his will. The Holy Spirit will guide and direct us each step of the way.
Pentecost: Our Connection to Holy Purpose
Pentecost is as an opportunity to reexamine God’s holy purpose for us. Why are we here? What is the task that we have been created to perform? Is it teaching, serving, advising, singing? Whatever it is, we cannot discover our purpose until we yield to God. The Seven Days of Prayer that follow symbolize each week that Jesus stayed with us before his ascension. Let each day be a step for you to grow closer to the Lord, beseeching the Holy Spirit’s power and wisdom in your life.

Different Gifts: What is God’s Holy Purpose for Me?
Scripture for the Week: Read Romans 12
May 9: Holy Spirit, Help Me to Listen!
Text: Psalm 63: 1-2
Prayer - Holy Spirit, there are so many things that I would like to do each day. The time seems to slip away from me when I go about my daily tasks, and I do not always take time to listen to you. Slow me down! Please help me to concentrate on you, Lord God and begin this day listening to your divine will for me.
May 10: Holy Spirit, Teach Me to Trust
Text: Psalm 35:7
Prayer - Holy Spirit, come into my heart, right now, and destroy all doubts, fears and anxiety. Oh, please let me feel complete trust in the power of Jesus who died for me. This is my prayer, thank you, Lord!
May 11: Holy Spirit, Encourage Me to Wait
Text: Lamentations 3:25
Prayer - Holy Spirit, curb my impatience, in Jesus’ name. Show me how to wait faithfully on God’s direction. Give me courage to not rush or try to fix things myself.
May 12: Holy Spirit, Allow Me to Discern
Text: Daniel 9:22
Prayer - Holy Spirit, just as God sent you to Daniel and believers of Old, open my mind so that I can detect and avoid evildoers. Unveil my eyes so that my judgments will be godly and wise.

May 13: Holy Spirit, Lead Me to the Right Path
Text: Psalm 141:8-9, 23:1-2
Prayer - Holy Spirit, as I travel the narrow path, I may stumble. I may get caught up in the temptations of life, a lazy spirit, excuse-making and rationalizations. Won’t you lead me into the righteous path so that my will, my heart, and my entire being will be committed only to my Lord and Savior? And so it is!
May 14: Holy Spirit, Empower Me to Change
Text: Ephesians 3:7
Prayer - Holy Spirit, with your power, I can change; with your power, I can be a better person; with your power, I can forgive; and with your power, I can find God’s holy purpose for me. Let it be; let it be.
PENTECOST: Holy Spirit, Breathe on Me Anew!
Text: Psalm 51:10-11
Prayer - Holy Spirit, this is the day that you descended and fell like fire on the waiting followers of Christ Jesus. Just as you gave them power from on high, and just as Jesus breathed your anointing onto his disciples, I pray that you will once again breathe on me! And so it is.
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me! Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me! Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.!

Big Bethel AME Church
“Where Jesus Saves”
Preparing for Pentecost is a publication of
Big Bethel Christian Education Ministries © May 2016
Also, in our library, available by request:
Lenten Devotionals
Advent Devotionals
Kids Worship, Too! (Various Christian education materials, K-8)
“A Daily Walk” (Pamphlet for new Christians)
Come to Bible study to learn more about Pentecost!
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http://bigbetheldepartmentchristianed.weebly.com/
220 Auburn Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 827-9711