Let the Fire of the Holy Spirit Burn within Us
 

Pentecost greetings to all of you in our New England District family! The Day of Pentecost has always been a highlight on my Church year calendar. I love to read and preach on the following words from Acts 2:1-4,

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Ever since that day the Church has never been the same! How could it be the same with the Holy Spirit actually living in us? Yes, the Holy Spirit is alive and well in the congregations and schools of our New England District. It is my biggest joy as District President to see the Holy Spirit burning within you, and creating all kinds of wonderful ministry.
Each of our congregations and schools has so much opportunity to reach out with the Gospel, and increasingly proclaim the Good News of forgiveness and new beginnings in HIS atoning blood shed for us all.
It is my fervent prayer that we will not stand in the way of the Holy Spirit and somehow try to contain the fire of the Spirit. My sinful containment of the Lord in my life is something that I do struggle with, and I take comfort in God’s promise to me in II Corinthians 5:15 that says, "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
Did you hear those words of our Lord through the Apostle Paul? I do not have to live for me any more! By the grace of God I am enabled by HIM to now live for HIM who died and rose for me. This is not just true for you and me personally, it is also true for your congregation in its day-to-day ministry.
"Lord, enable us to let You rule and reign in our lives!” Just like the Emmaus disciples said, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” It is my fervent prayer that we, as a New England District family, will be on fire through the means of Grace to increasingly be the Church in the mission of reaching out with the Gospel.
May the fire not be smothered with the upcoming summer months, and may you rejoice in the fellowship of your congregations and schools, as you feast on HIS Word and Sacraments. Let the fire burn, and let the Holy Spirit energize and equip us all to be increasingly God’s people in mission. Have a wonderful summer of relaxation that continues to be centered in the renewing of the Word that became flesh and gave himself at Calvary’s cross.                      - President Jim Keurulainen
 
06/28/2010