Devotions with Pastor Bill Ritchey

Acts 2:1-3 tells us “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.”

As we approach the Day of Pentecost, I have been thinking a lot about this passage.  Those tongues of flame indicated the presence of the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples in a special way – I believe this represents the experience of entire sanctification.  The holiness of GOD was now with them, and His holiness consumed all that is inconsistent with it. Oh, they still had plenty of struggles, as can be seen later in the lives of Peter and the other apostles.  However, as they matured in their walk with GOD, they became ever stronger in their faith because of their trials and tribulations, and the light of God shone brightly through them.

Their various walks brought glory to our Lord.  We, like those disciples in that upper room “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation for His own possession, that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

WE have been “…called out of darkness into His marvelous light,”  and this means that we are to walk according to His will and plan.  I am surrendered to that plan and pray for the Holy Spirit’s light to burn brighter in me daily!

I hope you will let His light shine through you, too.
Pastor Bill