When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting (Acts 2:1) - We do our bit, but we can only do our bit. Let us not kid ourselves that we can achieve anything without God’s Spirit except a lot of rotas and activity.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33) - We are just humans, with all the limitation that brings.

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul

We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. (2 Samuel 14:14) - the far shore is beautiful indeed

But to all who did receive him [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13) - What it is to be a child of God!

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12) - The life of Athanasius is a great example of standing firm.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9)

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him (John 17:1) - “The hour has come” and a new dawn has flickered into view.

you thought that I was one like yourself. (Psalm 50:21) - One of the harder things to grasp about God is his utter otherness.

Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer, pilgrim thru this barren land;I am weak, but Thou art mighty! Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand - Over the next forty years it is estimated he travelled some one hundred thousand miles on horseback in the service of the gospel, and penned over eight hundred hymns. Those around him knew him as the “sweet singer of Wales”.

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, the was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9) - It is a mistake to think that Jesus’ ministry ended at the Ascension, rather it began a new phase.

“for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:15) - We are not called to give all the answers to all the questions,. we are simply called to bear witness to what we have experienced

And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) - "I went to bed that night as usual, David Morgan. I had felt power in the service but I went to bed at night as David Morgan. But, you know when I woke up the next moment I realized I was a different man. I felt like a lion, I felt great power”.

Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:4

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:51) - Both are needed. Jesus calls us to obey, and then gives us the strength to do so.

And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marvelling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (Luke 24:41) - It may be too good, but don’t dismiss it as not true.

Just as I am - without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, -O Lamb of God, I come! - In 1821 Charlotte Elliott was stricken with a severe sickness, which would affect her life until she died some five decades later. She sought out Dr Malan in order to apologise and to tell him that she wanted to cleanse her life before she came to Christ and become a Christian. No, the Genevan replied “come just as you are”. And so she did.

Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. (1 Samuel 1:13) - if you find it difficult to pray or read the Bible as you mind wanders perhaps you might try again but this time speaking audibly. You may find that this practice makes things easier.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." (Ephesians 6:10) - When God is the source of our strength and our joy, then we have a deep well indeed, filled with the sweetest water.

“I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.” (Acts 7:32) - On the 23rd November 1654, between 10:30 and 12:30 at night, Blaise Pascal had an intense spiritual experience of God. Deeply moved, he quickly wrote what has become known as Pascal’s Memorial and sewed it into the lining of his coat so that it would always be near.

Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Romans 8:34) - Here is the great privilege of faith. As we place our trust, faith and future in Christ’s hands he prays for us.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1) - Here is the rock which can withstand all the storms of life. Here is the anchor for our souls.

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29) - That’s the basic issue here. We all tend to make God a bigger version of ourselves, or at least a bigger version of all that we think is good in others. This is why the Bible is so important. It records God as he is, not as we wish him to be.

When you read through the words below, and realise they came from the pen of a man who had fled for his life, it gives you some idea of the comfort and confidence that comes from knowing that whatever happens, we are not out of God’s hands.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28) - What hurt does the fire to the gold? It only purifies it.

“You will not fear the terror of the night.” (Psalm 91:5) - The loneliness of the night is but a phantasm, for God does not close his eyes.

Livingstone carried on for another hour - the words were just coming, and the Holy Spirit was clearly acting in the congregation. Some fell to their knees, others wept.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4 - And then dwell on the fact that this verse exists. Its presence in a Psalm which speaks of God guiding his people must surely remind us that in the Christian life there are plenty of valleys. Yet these valleys are part of the purpose of God, they are the path through which he leads us.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:3) - Follow the Good Shepherd who leads you to still waters, and beware those who may beguile you down murkier paths.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) - The words are breathed-out, and then caught in the pages of Scripture.

Here is love vast as the ocean. Loving kindness as the flood. When the Prince of life, our ransom. Shed for us His precious blood