Good morning! Have you ever stood in front of a crowd and addressed them? Was it difficult or were you ready to share? Today as we continue our reading in Acts chapter 2, we will read about Peter addressing the crowd. Join me as we read.

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,  your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy. ¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. ²¹ And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’^[c]” – Acts 2:14-21 NLT

This is when Peter began his preaching assignment. If you recall in John chapter 21, Jesus and Peter (Simon son of John) were talking, “¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” 

Peter stood to the crowd in defense of what the apostles and everyone who was in the room had experienced. Peter rebuked the peoples comments on them being drunk. But he began to share scripture from the old testament book of Joel, something the Jewish believers would understand and to help them understand what had taken place.

There are several things listed in the book of Joel that will occur in the last days.

• The Holy Spirit will be poured out on all people.
• Sons and daughters will prophesy.
• Young men will see visions.
• Old men will dream dreams.
• Wonders in heaven above and signs on earth below – blood, fire and billows of smoke.
• The sun will turn to darkness and the moon to blood before the great coming of the Lord.
• Most importantly, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Sisters and brothers, so many of us are walking around in fear. But it shouldn’t be that way. We have been given fore knowledge of the things that have already taken place, things that are happening now and the things to come. Fear is reserved for those without hope without belief, without understanding. Those who believe know the future, it is clear…Jesus wins.

Sisters and brothers, if anything we should be fearful of is the number of souls that will be lost because of their lack of understanding or disbelief in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. As the Holy Spirit leads you, pray for those who are wandering without Jesus Christ at the center of their life. Pray for those who chose not to follow, but know about Jesus. Pray for their relationship with Jesus to be renewed. Finally, share your faith with sisters and brothers who have fear in their hearts. Encourage them in faith and remind them of who is still on the throne. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control.

Just like Peter, God has a plan and a purpose for you. When it is time, you will step into it. Is it time? ________ if it is, get busy with God’s work. If God has you waiting, keep praying and doing small things toward the purpose He has called you to.

Father God we thank you for another day. Father you didn’t promise it to us, but you gave it to us anyway. Thank you for speaking through the prophet Joel and Peter to remind us of things to come. We trust and believe in Your word and promises. Equip us with the tools that we need to pray for the lost, least and last. Equip us to share our testimony and be a witness of Your mighty power at work within our own lives. Direct our thoughts and lead us to a greater relationship with you. Lord, when we feel discouraged renew our hearts and minds again. Reset us, and put us on track toward our purpose in you. Lord, remove our fears and fill us with Your spirit of power, love and self-control. In Jesus name, amen.

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