Journeying with Resurrected Jesus in Power

What a blessing Acts 2 has been! I've enjoyed reading through it several times and in several translations.

Did you notice the outpouring of confession and repentance from the Jews? They'd missed Jesus, and in the middle of Peter's sermon they realized it. Appropriately, they grieved, confessed, repented, and were restored.

I think it's beautiful that they responded in that way, because Peter's sermon was a picture of the same process. Even though he'd known Jesus personally, he still missed the mark with his denial of him. Prior to Acts 2, he grieved, confessed, repented, and giving the sermon is evidence of restoration to his calling and ministry.

Earlier this week, I heard an interview with a pastor where he said the true mark of revival is confession, repentance, and restoration. This process opens the door for Holy Spirit to do what He came to do.

On this "Thankful Thursday," I'm most thankful for freedom and restoration through confession and repentance. It keeps me humble, and it keeps me learning. I simply will not "arrive" this side of Heaven. As long as I live in this human body, I will miss Jesus as obviously as those that walked with him did. But, I get to confess, repent (change my mind and my direction) through through the power of His Spirit, and I'll be restored.

What about you? What are you most thankful for in this Acts 2 account of Pentecost?

Jesus, thank you for journeying with us. Sometimes we don't recognize You, but we believe You are here. There are times when we are sad, disappointed, and even a little lost in this world, because the expectations of our humanity get in the way. When You make yourself very evident, though, our hearts burn within us. Will you help us to recognize that and trust it. Your presence can make us brave. Today, we commit ourselves to You. We want to be transformed by Your presence in our lives and Your power in our bodies. We belong to You, and that Truth makes us glad. Amen.