The steady rhythmic sound of snoring and the heart monitor going beep, beep, beep is all that could be heard in hospital room 207. Harold Peterson lay in a hospital bed in a coma. His dad, Bill sat in a chair beside him sound asleep. Other than going to get a quick bite to eat or use the restroom, Bill had not left Harold's son. This, is what Randy found when he finally made it back to the hospital.
Not sure if he
should wake Bill or not, he finally decided he needed to tell Bill
the good news and walked over to his chair and gave him a tap on the
shoulder. Rubbing his eyes and letting out a big yawn, Bill focused
in on Randy and asked him “What day is it?” “I'm not sure.”
Randy said, “I just hope it's not Sunday and I'm suppose to be
preaching right now.”
“I thought I was
the only one that's lost track of time.” Bill said “Well,”
Randy went on to say, “With everything that's been happening the
past several days, I've lost track of time myself but have I got some
wonderful news for you. But first, I need to know how Harold's
doing.”
“Doc says he's
stable but he is still in a coma.” Bill said, “If I hadn’t
known Harold to have changed I would have said he was faking it so he
could sleep. Even the Doc thought so. So, what's the wonderful news
you have for me. I sure could use some about now.” “Well,”
Randy said, “You better sit down because this may be a little weird
for you to handle.”
“I am sitting.”
Bill said, “You're the one standing and I don't know if I want to
hear any more weird stuff.” “Oh, yeah, I am.” Randy said and
then sat down. “Do you remember how we thought Harold might have
been our hero and end the rebellion and conspiracy?” he then asked.
“So much for that.” Bill injected glumly, “Do you know if they
caught the guy that shot him?”
“Now that's
what's weird.” Randy said, “After the shooting, the kids turned
against their leader and turned him in to the police. The rebellion
is over.” “What!?” Bill exclaimed, “I don't get it.”
“you're not alone.” Randy said, “But it's over, “And some guy
named Bud is now sitting in jail, no longer free to lead.”
“I don't believe
it?” Bill said in disbelief. “But it is.” Randy assured him,
“All week long, kids all over town have been apologizing for their
behavior. Further more, Louie said it was because of what happened
to Harold.” “You mean Harold's getting shot stopped the
rebellion?” Bill asked in disbelief.
“Yeah.” Randy
said all excited, “It kind of opened the kids’ eyes and they
decided to change. I just hope Harold survives to realize God made
him a hero.” “I do to.” Harold said rather sadly and then
stared at Harold. After a few minutes, Randy put his hands on Bill's
shoulders “Let's Pray that he does.”
In the first
book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and
teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given
commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many
proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the
kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to
depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father,
which, he said, "you heard from me;
Acts
1:1-4 (ESV)
When Jesus left the
earth He gave a command to stay in Jerusalem until a promise would
come to pass. That day had arrived and what happened that day
changed things and people forever.
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. And they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in
Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at
this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered,
because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. … And
all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does
this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with
new wine." But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his
voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in
Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For
these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third
hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet
Joel: " 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I
will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and
your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female
servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall
prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on
the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall
be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the
Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass
that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' …
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has
made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to
Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we
do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the
promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off,
everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." And with many
other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying,
"Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those
who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day
about three thousand souls.
Acts 2
(ESV)
It was the day of
Pentecost. The Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire. Peter
started to preach that this was the fulfillment of prophecy and that
they were guilty of Jesus' death. They asked what they must do and
Peter said Acts 2:38 and 3000 people made a change. God wants to see
us changed.
- Jeremiah 35:15 I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, 'Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.' But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. (ESV)
- Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (ESV)
- Hosea 6:1 Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. (ESV)
- Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, (ESV)
If you want to look
to change here are a few verses for you.
- Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (ESV)
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (ESV)
- Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)
Here's Something
To Ponder
- In what areas of your life do you need change?
- What keeps you from making the changes you need to make?
No comments:
Post a Comment