When was the last time someone over-promised and under-delivered on a promise to you? 

Megan and I recently completed some updates to our home, and if you’ve ever gone through home renovations, you know this is a common experience of homeowners.

Contractors often promise that a renovation project will be finished within a certain timeframe and budget, and with excellent results. But more often than not, the project ends up taking twice as long and costs twice as much. If you’ve been through it, you know what I mean.

But here’s the good news: Our God is not a general contractor trying to earn our business. He is a perfectly loving heavenly Father who has never once over-promised or under-delivered. He always fulfills His promises to us.

One of the most powerful examples of this happened ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, during the Jewish festival that we know as Pentecost. 

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

What does it mean to trust the Promise-maker more than the promise itself? In what areas of your life do you need to shift your focus from holding onto outcomes to holding onto God?

How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in your daily life?

Reflect on recent conversations. How might you have approached them differently with the guidance of the Holy Spirit? 

This Sunday we begin our yearlong study of the Book of Acts. This book is an incredible journey through the early days of the Christian church, right after Jesus' resurrection and ascension.

It is filled with examples of the transformative power and unstoppable work of the Holy Spirit. This week we will talk about the reality that Acts really happened and the Spirit that was promised to the apostles has come and is at work in the world today. Imagine what would happen in our community if we lived like this were true.

So, invite a friend or two to join you for church this Sunday, and come ready for an exciting, transformative journey through the Book of Acts. Let's discover together what it means to be part of a vibrant, Spirit-filled community on mission for God!

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

Do you ever catch yourself living in word, thought, or action as though the things in the Bible are “make believe?” What might change in you if you lived as though the events of Acts actually happened?

What about Acts 1:8 do you find most inspiring? Most challenging? Why?

What is something that the Spirit of God is teaching you/showing you/reminding you of at the moment? With whom are you sharing this experience?

Our God gives us insight into the personal prayer journal of believers thousands of years removed from our time. Yet somehow, their trials and triumphs seem eerily resonant with our contemporary experience..

“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again!” 

The psalmist, acquainted with suffering and familiar with pain, remains confident in Gods restoration! 

Do you? If not, let’s learn how to find that confidence together. If so, let’s gather to encourage each other all the more!