At the bottom of each of his compositions, Bach wrote letters SDG (Soli Deo Gloria), a reminder that all he did was to the glory of God alone. As you read Psalm 115:1; Matthew 5:16; John 17:1-11; and 2 Corinthians 3:18, consider marking the words "glory" or "glorify." Now read John 3:16; Acts 1:8; 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:4-6a; and 2 Peter 3:9,18. Observe God’s heart of love for people. Do you hear God calling you to testify with your words and with your life? Consider how the fruit of the Spirit can give our lives a winsomeness that might awaken in others the desire to listen to the testimony of our words. Re-read Matthew 5:16. Pray you will point others to Jesus and glorify God.

On the night of his resurrection, Jesus comes to his fear-filled disciples, who are hiding behind locked doors, and speaks words of blessing and hope, saying, "Peace be with you!" But what does he mean by this? Read John 20:19-23. Is this benediction of peace the promise of an easy, strife-free life, or is it something more, something even better? What insights do you glean in Isaiah 26:3-4; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 2:14a; and Philippians 4:4-7? The peace Jesus offers is peace from God and peace with God through Jesus. Praise Jesus, our Prince of Peace.

In Genesis, God calls Abram (Abraham) and gives him great and precious promises; read 12:1-3, noting the concept of "blessed to be a blessing." Now notice a similar promise and commission in John 20:19-23. Jesus reveals himself to the disciples, speaks words of benediction (blessing), breathes the Spirit over them, and tells them that as people respond (or don’t respond) to their proclamation of the Gospel, they can announce God’s forgiveness (or withhold it). Do Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 help you to better understand this ministry of reconciliation? Tell Jesus you want to be a blessing as you share the message of peace with God through Jesus.

Over and over, Jesus tells his followers about their mission to the world. They weren’t just blessed to bask in being blessed; they were blessed for mission. Read Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20; Luke 24:45-49; John 20:21; and Acts 1:1-8. We too have a mission; we are to witness to Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and saving grace and tell others what Jesus has done for us. Pause a moment and ponder again the harvest image in Matthew 9. Our witness is like a seed we sow. It is the Spirit who prepares the soil (someone’s heart) and causes the seed to take root and grow. Re-read the Luke 24 and Acts 1 texts. Thank God for the work of the Spirit and for the joy being sent.

Read Acts 1:4-9 and 2:1-21. We think of Pentecost as a Christian commemoration, and it is, but it is also an ancient Jewish celebration (Leviticus 23:15-21; ‘pente’ means 50), a time when Jews from all over gathered in Jerusalem to give thanks for the spring harvest’s first fruits. Jesus used physical miracles as signs pointing to spiritual truths; likewise, the gathering of the harvest’s first fruits points to the Spirit’s initial harvest of new believers (Acts 2:14,21,41). Ponder God’s perfect timing for the outpouring of the Spirit: thousands had gathered from all nations (2:1-11) and, thus, heard the Gospel message. Pray that we, like Peter, will also share the Gospel.

Early in his Pentecost sermon, Peter tells the crowd that prophecy was being fulfilled in their midst (Acts 2:14-21); earlier Jesus had done the same (Luke 4:14-21). As we read/meditate on our texts, ask the Spirit to give you eyes to see that God is still acting in our midst today. Notice the manifestations of the Spirit’s powerful presence (Acts 2:1-3); consider that God had brought the world to Jerusalem to hear the message (2:5-11). Is God bringing the nations to our communities today? If so, like Peter, do we share the Gospel? Should we be surprised if we are misunderstood (John 15:20-21; Acts 2:13)? Read 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, and let it guide your prayer and praise.

Read Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-21,36-41; and 4:12. The outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost empowered the disciples for witness (1:8); those who believed also received the Spirit (2:38), so they, in turn, could witness to what God had done in their lives. Later, when persecution caused believers to be scattered beyond Jerusalem, the story of Jesus was taken to the world (8:1,4; 11:19-21). God’s prophecy through Joel (Acts 2:16-21) continues to be fulfilled today, as God pours out the Spirit and sends us out in Jesus’ name. Note: to ‘prophesy’ (Acts 2:18) means to proclaim as well as foretell. Tell Jesus you want to be a witness; pray your words and life will tell of Jesus’ love.

We cannot share what we do not have. Ponder this as you read Acts 2:1-21 [Consider also reading Acts 10:1-11:18, an account which reveals how God continues to grow Peter’s understanding of the extent of God’s love and grace.] Feast on God’s Word; meditate on God’s promises; allow the Spirit to feed your soul (reanimate you) and prepare you to tell others of Jesus’ love. Sing/pray Hankey’s lyrics: "I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest…I love to tell the story…of Jesus and his love…"

Last week, we celebrated Pentecost; yesterday was Holy Trinity Sunday. As we approach new texts and a new series, let’s begin by looking at our one God, who is revealed as Father, Son, and Spirit. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9; John 14:5-11,26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and Colossians 2:9. Understanding the triune nature of God is beyond our comprehension, yet the testimony of Scripture is true. Notice also the eternal nature of God as Father, Son, and Spirit, as you consider John 1:1-3,18; 17:3-5; 2 Timothy 1:9b-10; and Hebrews 9:14. Meditate on the greatness, power, love, and glory of God. Pray Heber’s lyrics, "Holy, holy, holy…God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!"

Our series theme uses the metaphor of alignment. Most understand the challenges of driving a car that is out of alignment, but do we consider that our lives might be out of alignment with what we profess to believe? As you read Genesis 1:1-3; Job 38:1-12; Psalm 8; John 1:1-4,14; and Revelation 4:11, ponder the holiness, glory, power, and majesty of God. Now spend time seeking God’s heart as you look at your life, actions, thoughts, and priorities. Is your life in alignment with your belief in God, who is worthy of all worship, honor, and praise? Bow in humble repentance and submission to the One we hail as eternal Savior, Lord, and King. Thank God for loving you.

Look for evidence of God (Father, Son, Spirit) in creation as you read Genesis 1:1-2:4a [in 1:26, note "us/our," and ponder a plural unity]; John 1:1-5 [notice the word light here and in John 8:12; also consider that light floods the world before the creation of the sun, moon, and stars: Genesis 1:1-5,14-19]; Colossians 1:15-17 [firstborn can mean unique or preeminent in rank and authority; it does not necessarily indicate birth order]. Exalt and praise God as you observe the power and authority of God’s voice (Genesis 1:3,6,9…; Isaiah 55:10-11; John 1:1-4,14). Does this lend insight into Jesus’ authority (Matthew 7:28-29; 9:6; 28:18-20; John 17:1-5)? Praise our glorious, creator God!

Read Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Job 37:1-7a; 38:1,4-7; Psalm 8:1-9; 139:1-18,23-24; and Romans 1:20. Some of the creation narratives are expressed poetically; did you hear the rhythms of God’s grace in the poetry or music of the pictures of creation? We have spoken of God’s power and glory made manifest in creation. Do you also see God’s intimate love and grace? Consider how perfectly God suits creation to the needs of humans. Ponder the tenderness of God’s grace and love (Psalm 8:5; 139:13-14). Worship God as you respond to God’s love, glory, and grace.

In the creation accounts, we see God’s power and majesty; we also see God’s loving-kindness. Genesis 1 gives us a view of creation as through a telescope; in Genesis 2, we see as if through a microscope. As you read Genesis 1:26-31 and 2:7-8,15-25, notice how people are created for relationship: fellowship with God and with one another. We see affirmations of this throughout Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Micah 6:8; Mark 12:29-31; John 13:34-35; and Colossians 3:1-4,12-14. Pray about how your relationships with God and others align with God’s purposes.

Many align their lives with the philosophy expressed in Henley’s Invictus: "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." But God’s Word tells us to align our lives in accord with God’s purposes. What do you learn about these in Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7-8,15-25; Psalm 24:1; Ephesians 2:10; 5:8-10; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; and 1 Peter 4:10? We are not owners, but merely stewards, of God’s creation, and we are to care for the earth and for each other. Do we respond to God’s goodness with the obedience of faith, or, exercising free will, do we spurn God’s goodness and grieve God’s heart. Pray for wisdom as to how to align your life with God’s purposes.

Begin with prayer, opening your hands and your heart; ask the Spirit to guide you into new understandings of what it means to live with God on the throne of your life. Meditate on the grandeur of God as witnessed in creation; ponder what it means to align your life with God’s purposes. Ask yourself if God is your greatest treasure and your heart’s delight. Consider how you can reflect glory back to the One who is totally worthy of all worship and praise. Read Psalm 8:1-9; 36:5-9; 40:5-8; 115:1; Isaiah 26:8-9a; 43:7; and Romans 11:36. Sing or pray lyrics attributed to Francis of Assisi: "Let all things their Creator bless, and worship Him in humbleness, O praise Him! Alleluia!"