In order that you may proclaim...

DAILY BYTE

Yesterday we reflected on Pentecost Sunday and the worship experience that we enjoyed at Manning Road Methodist Church. Indeed it was a day to remember. Today we continue to reflect on the Day of Pentecost on which God sent down the Holy Spirit over all flesh as the prophet Joel had prophesized. This landmark event that we find in the book of Acts is seen as the inauguration of the Church. When the Apostle Peter proclaimed for the first time the mighty deeds of God that were manifested in the life, passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today, our God reminds us through the same Apostle Peter that we are a chosen people, a people who have been shown mercy and who are claimed by God. What wonderful thing. We are the people of God. You and I, and all of those who have been redeemed by God through Jesus Christ are God’s own people called out of the darkness into admirable light. You and I, and millions of other people on this earth are privileged and richly blessed.

There is a worship song in Spanish that is quite popular and that remind believers that we are God’s own people, a people that have been called by God to proclaim God’s mighty deeds of power in and through Jesus Christ. I respectfully invite you to reflect on this truth today. How is it that you and I can proclaim God’s deeds of power? And more importantly, how can we do so in an effective manner? You and I have undoubtedly been called to do this. God has shown us mercy and claimed us for God’s self. But we must always remember our duty to be merciful towards others and to be beacons of god’s marvelous light. Let us be in prayer throughout the day and ask for God’s Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the way. May our Lord reveal new things to you to day!

PRAY AS YOU GO

Father, you have shown us mercy through Christ Jesus your son. You mercy towards us is manifested in many different forms. We pray that you guide us through your Spirit to be merciful as you are merciful. We praise you for you call us your people. We are a people that you have called out of the darkness into the wonderful light of Jesus Christ. Our duty is to answer your call by proclaiming your mighty acts in Jesus Christ. Help us be light amidst this dark world. Grant us the power of your Spirit to be able to lead lives that glorify you and witness of your love for this world. Amen.

FOCUS TEXT

1 Peter 2:9-12

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.