A Story to Embody: The Sixth Sunday of Eastertide

Identity check: As you read through these Scriptures see how God views you.  Do you walk confidently in these identities?



Acts 10:44-48

No sooner were these words out of Peter's mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn't believe it, couldn't believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on "outsider" non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.

46-48Then Peter said, "Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They've received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did." Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.

A container the Holy Spirit resides in?

Psalm 98

Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders!

He rolled up his sleeves,

He set things right.

2 God made history with salvation,

He showed the world what he could do.

3 He remembered to love us, a bonus

To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.

The whole earth comes to attention.

Look—God's work of salvation!

4 Shout your praises to God, everybody!

Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!

5 Round up an orchestra to play for God,

Add on a hundred-voice choir.

6 Feature trumpets and big trombones,

Fill the air with praises to King God.

7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,

With everything living on earth joining in.

8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!"

And mountains harmonize the finale—

9 A tribute to God when he comes,

When he comes to set the earth right.

He'll straighten out the whole world,

He'll put the world right, and everyone in it.

One who is able to receive and celebrate the wonderful saving power of our Creator God?

I John 5:1-6

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is God's child, and whoever loves the Father also loves the Father's children.2 This is how we know we love God's children: when we love God and obey his commands.3 Loving God means obeying his commands. And God's commands are not too hard for us,4 because everyone who is a child of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world—our faith. 5 So the one who conquers the world is the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

6 Jesus Christ is the One who came by water and blood. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit says that this is true, because the Spirit is the truth.

A Child of God, who can walk in this identity without it being burdensome?

John 15:9-17

I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love.10 I have obeyed my Father's commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. 11 I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.


12 "This is my command: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I heard from my Father.16 You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

No longer a servant but a FRIEND.

In Christ,

For more on why I include these weekly readings, read A Story to Embody.

Photo courtesy Melanie Guest Photography.