Daily Devotional WK 21 Day 119 - TJTP Day 49 - 05/19/24 - "The New Church"

Author: Evang. Lisa L. Dalton

Author: Evang. Lisa L. Dalton

"The New Church"

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 2:40-47

Devotion:
My mind goes back to the days of our late founder, Bishop J.H. Sherman, Sr. He would have 30-day crusades all over North and South Carolina. So many people would come to be saved, set free and delivered. Hundreds at a time. There was not enough room for the people at many of the meetings. So many souls were saved that churches had to be planted in those areas. Many of those churches still exist today. The church we now serve in was a part of one of those 30-day crusades.

Sundays were the days we would fellowship and eat together as Saints. Dinner after church was what we would look forward to. We loved it when Bishop would stay over and have dinner in the dining room with us. That was the experience of the birth of NC 2nd Jurisdiction. Family, Food and Fellowship.

That’s what happened on the day of Pentecost. That day alone close to 3000 people were saved. Then after the word got out, more people wanted to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. When everyone is on one accord, the power of God can move with no hesitations. The power of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated through the apostles by the working of miracles, signs, and wonders. This was needed so others could believe.
This same movement of the Holy Spirit is still happening today. We, here at HSM, are experiencing this same Pentecostal movement during our morning worship experience. We are all on one accord, making room for the Holy Spirit to move.

As we celebrate Pentecost today, let us remember what took place on that wonderful day. Everyone was on one accord. Three thousand souls were saved. They fellowship together by breaking bread in the homes. They sold goods to help their fellow new found sister and brother in Christ. That's what being a church is all about. Coming to the aid of another. We're here to serve each other. When everyone is serving, know one goes without. 

Prayer:
Lord, we thank You today for adding to the church daily. We thank You for the souls that are being saved and the wonderful life that is ahead for the new saints. Let us open our hearts to receive what You’re doing in this season as we lead many more to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen..