Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church

3239 Rosebud Road Walnut Cove NC 27052
Pastor: Dr. Tim Nelson -  Church Office 336-591-36112
A Place To Encounter God Face To Face. Gen. 32:3

A Word From The Pastor Archives 2025
October 2025
 

"...But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..."  Acts 1:8

In the opening chapter of Acts, Jesus returns to heaven, and the disciples replace Judas.  A lot is changing in the lives of Jesus' first followers as they embark on leading the first Christian church.

Crucified!  Buried!  Risen!  Everything Jesus said has proven true.  More than a good teacher, more than a wise friend Jesus is God of all.  The fear that gripped the Apostles forty days ago has evaporated, and hope springs up as the Apostles encounter the risen Lord.  Imagine the anticipation and excitement building among Jesus' followers as they waited for the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' promises and commands were true for the disciples and they are true for us.  Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  The mission is not finished.  God has called and empowered us to take the Gospel to the world.

Are you ready for God to move in your family?  Do you long to see God at work in your workplace?  Are you eager for God to change your community?  The time for waiting is over.  God is moving!  The activated church is the hope of the world.  As we follow the Holy Spirit's lead and operate in His power, the Gospel spreads to the ends of the earth.  People meet Jesus and their lives begin to change.  The greedy become generous.  The foolish become wise.  The selfish become servants.  Are you ready for change around you? If so, begin by asking God to activate something new in you.

Adapted from:  https://newspring.cc/devotionals/acts-reading-guide/acts-1

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."  Acts 2:1

In Acts 2, Peter and the other believers were together "with one accord in one place."  They shared meals, time, and prayed together.  Their lives were marked by unity, generosity, and joy They celebrated God's miracles and cared for each other in times of need.  This is the kind of community God wants for the church today.

And it is through the local church, that God has given us a family - a faith family.  As we connect with other believers, we find people who will love and encourage us as we become more like Jesus.  So in the same way that we had to take a step into a relationship with Jesus, we have to take a step in to experience the power of relationships with other believers.

Like the early church, we experience the power of community when we come together, pray together, eat together, work together, worship together, and share life's ups and downs together.  God worked and works through the relationships we have together in Christ to change us and show us His faithfulness.  God gives us the strength to overcome whatever circumstances we face, and our community of faith supports us as we overcome and learn to become more and more "with one accord."


Adapted from:  https://newspring.cc/devotionals/acts-reading-guide/acts-2

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."  Acts 2:42

There are four key practices that follow a forgiven, Spirit-filled life and Luke describes these practices in Acts 2:38-47 where he identified four specific acts of devotion for which the early Church was designed.  These four acts are:  1) Attention to God's word and works; 2) Shared participation and resources; 3) Breaing of bread; and 4) Prayer and worship.  In these verses (38-47), Luke helps us to see God's original and ongoing design for the growth of the Church, spreading His good work to the whole world.  As people turn to follow Jesus, and are baptized in the Holy Spirit, they receive a powerful new ability to live in God's design for humanity.  This new ability empowers God's people to multiply His heavenly design on earth.  Heaven on earth continues to expand as followers of Jesus devote themselves to the teaching and works of God, to sharing their lives and resources with the community, to the breaking of bread, and to worshipful prayers.  Let us pray:  "Lord, give me all that You have for me, that I might be all You want me to be, that our church will be all You want us to be as we continue steadfastly in the apostles teachings, fellowship with one another, the breaking of bread, and the worshipful prayers.  In Jesus Name, Amen."

Adapted from:  https://bibleproject.com/articles/growth-of-the-church/