In her Pentecost Sunday sermon entitled, "Holy Spirit Come!", Pastor Milissa explored the parallels between the first Pentecost in Exodus and the second Pentecost in Acts 2. Just as God gave His people instructions, His presence, and a way to remain in relationship with Him at that first Pentecost, He now gives us the Holy Spirit who transforms us from the inside out, empowers us for mission, and makes us living tabernacles of His presence. This isn't just ancient history—it's our reality today.
We invite you to spend the next five days reflecting and praying through this devotional based on that message.
We invite you to spend the next five days reflecting and praying through this devotional based on that message.
Day 1: The First Passover - God Hears Our Cry
Rest: Take 2 minutes of silence and invite God - Father, Son, and Spirit - to draw near to you in this time.
Read: Exodus 12:1-13, 21-28
Reflect: God's people suffered under Egyptian slavery for 400 years before He intervened with the first Passover. The blood on the doorposts wasn't magic—it was obedience that demonstrated faith. Death passed over those homes, and freedom followed. Today, consider where you feel enslaved—to fear, addiction, shame, or circumstances beyond your control. God hears your cry just as He heard the Israelites. The Passover lamb foreshadowed Jesus, whose blood covers us completely. Are you trusting in His finished work, or trying to earn your freedom?
Pause and talk with the Lord. What do you need God to rescue you from today? Ask Him to show you what step of faith may be needed to walk in the obedience that leads to freedom.
Respond: Thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Read: Exodus 12:1-13, 21-28
Reflect: God's people suffered under Egyptian slavery for 400 years before He intervened with the first Passover. The blood on the doorposts wasn't magic—it was obedience that demonstrated faith. Death passed over those homes, and freedom followed. Today, consider where you feel enslaved—to fear, addiction, shame, or circumstances beyond your control. God hears your cry just as He heard the Israelites. The Passover lamb foreshadowed Jesus, whose blood covers us completely. Are you trusting in His finished work, or trying to earn your freedom?
Pause and talk with the Lord. What do you need God to rescue you from today? Ask Him to show you what step of faith may be needed to walk in the obedience that leads to freedom.
Respond: Thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Day 2: The First Pentecost - God Comes Close
Rest: Take 2 minutes of silence and invite God - Father, Son, and Spirit - to draw near to you in this time.
Read: Exodus 19:1-9, 16-20; 24:12-18
Reflect: Fifty days after Passover, God descended on Mount Sinai in cloud, fire, thunder, and lightning. This wasn't meant to terrify but to transform. God gave three gifts: instructions for holy living, plans for a dwelling place among them, and a sacrificial system to maintain relationship despite sin. God's heart has always been to dwell with His people. Notice that God didn't just give rules and leave—He made a way to stay close. Today, we often see God's commands as restrictive, but they're actually the pathway to intimacy with Him. The tabernacle wasn't a building project; it was an invitation. God wants to be near you, not distant. His presence isn't occasional—it's available.
Pause and talk with the Lord. Tell Him how you feel about His commands - be honest. Ask Him to show you His heart in His commands.
Respond: Spend a moment thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Read: Exodus 19:1-9, 16-20; 24:12-18
Reflect: Fifty days after Passover, God descended on Mount Sinai in cloud, fire, thunder, and lightning. This wasn't meant to terrify but to transform. God gave three gifts: instructions for holy living, plans for a dwelling place among them, and a sacrificial system to maintain relationship despite sin. God's heart has always been to dwell with His people. Notice that God didn't just give rules and leave—He made a way to stay close. Today, we often see God's commands as restrictive, but they're actually the pathway to intimacy with Him. The tabernacle wasn't a building project; it was an invitation. God wants to be near you, not distant. His presence isn't occasional—it's available.
Pause and talk with the Lord. Tell Him how you feel about His commands - be honest. Ask Him to show you His heart in His commands.
Respond: Spend a moment thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Day 3: Jesus, Our Passover Lamb
Rest: Take 2 minutes of silence and invite God - Father, Son, and Spirit - to draw near to you in this time.
Read: Luke 22:7-20
Reflect: At His last supper, Jesus transformed the Passover meal. "This is my body...this is my blood." He was signaling that He was the ultimate Passover Lamb. Every Passover lamb for 1,400 years had pointed forward to this moment. Jesus' blood wouldn't just cause physical death to pass over—it would cause eternal death to pass over all who believe. His sacrifice wasn't just another in the system; it fulfilled and ended the system. The repetitive sacrifices stopped because His sacrifice was sufficient. When you participate in communion - the re-enactment of Jesus' Last Supper - you're proclaiming that death has passed you over. Not because you're good enough, but because His blood covers you completely. This isn't ancient history—it's your reality today.
Pause and talk with the Lord. Thank Him for the rich and beautiful layers of meaning in His story, and to help you experience all of them the next time you participate in communion.
Respond: Spend a moment thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Read: Luke 22:7-20
Reflect: At His last supper, Jesus transformed the Passover meal. "This is my body...this is my blood." He was signaling that He was the ultimate Passover Lamb. Every Passover lamb for 1,400 years had pointed forward to this moment. Jesus' blood wouldn't just cause physical death to pass over—it would cause eternal death to pass over all who believe. His sacrifice wasn't just another in the system; it fulfilled and ended the system. The repetitive sacrifices stopped because His sacrifice was sufficient. When you participate in communion - the re-enactment of Jesus' Last Supper - you're proclaiming that death has passed you over. Not because you're good enough, but because His blood covers you completely. This isn't ancient history—it's your reality today.
Pause and talk with the Lord. Thank Him for the rich and beautiful layers of meaning in His story, and to help you experience all of them the next time you participate in communion.
Respond: Spend a moment thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Day 4: The Spirit Comes - Pentecost Power
Rest: Take 2 minutes of silence and invite God - Father, Son, and Spirit - to draw near to you in this time.
Read: Acts 2:1-21
Reflect: What happened at Pentecost wasn't random—it was the fulfillment of the pattern. Just as God's presence filled the tabernacle as fire and cloud, now tongues of fire rested on each believer. But notice the difference: the concentrated presence dispersed. God's presence was no longer confined to one tent or temple—it filled people. The Holy Spirit transformed fearful Peter into a bold preacher. The same Spirit who hovered over creation, who filled the tabernacle, who empowered Jesus, now lives in you. This isn't about emotional experiences—it's about transformation power. The Holy Spirit convicts, comforts, guides, strengthens, and empowers. Have you asked for a fresh filling? God hasn't changed His pattern—He still comes close to those who invite Him.
Are you experiencing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, or have you settled for less? Pause and talk with the Lord about this.
Respond: Spend a moment thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Read: Acts 2:1-21
Reflect: What happened at Pentecost wasn't random—it was the fulfillment of the pattern. Just as God's presence filled the tabernacle as fire and cloud, now tongues of fire rested on each believer. But notice the difference: the concentrated presence dispersed. God's presence was no longer confined to one tent or temple—it filled people. The Holy Spirit transformed fearful Peter into a bold preacher. The same Spirit who hovered over creation, who filled the tabernacle, who empowered Jesus, now lives in you. This isn't about emotional experiences—it's about transformation power. The Holy Spirit convicts, comforts, guides, strengthens, and empowers. Have you asked for a fresh filling? God hasn't changed His pattern—He still comes close to those who invite Him.
Are you experiencing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, or have you settled for less? Pause and talk with the Lord about this.
Respond: Spend a moment thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Day 5: Preparing for Pentecost
Rest: Take 2 minutes of silence and invite God - Father, Son, and Spirit - to draw near to you in this time.
Read: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Reflect: The early church didn't just believe the right things—they lived differently. They devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They shared possessions, cared for needs, and enjoyed favor with everyone. Why? Because they were collectively the temple of the Holy Spirit, a pocket of heaven on earth. This is the church's prophetic witness—showing the world what heaven looks like. When we gather in unity, serve generously, worship authentically, and love sacrificially, we point people to Jesus. You are not just attending church—you are the church. The Holy Spirit lives in you, making you a mobile tabernacle. Where you go, God's presence goes. What you do reveals heaven to earth. The question isn't whether God will show up—He already has, in you.
Pause and talk with the Lord. Ask Him to show you how you can live as a temple of the Holy Spirit, bringing heaven to earth in your daily life?
Respond: Spend a moment thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Read: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Reflect: The early church didn't just believe the right things—they lived differently. They devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They shared possessions, cared for needs, and enjoyed favor with everyone. Why? Because they were collectively the temple of the Holy Spirit, a pocket of heaven on earth. This is the church's prophetic witness—showing the world what heaven looks like. When we gather in unity, serve generously, worship authentically, and love sacrificially, we point people to Jesus. You are not just attending church—you are the church. The Holy Spirit lives in you, making you a mobile tabernacle. Where you go, God's presence goes. What you do reveals heaven to earth. The question isn't whether God will show up—He already has, in you.
Pause and talk with the Lord. Ask Him to show you how you can live as a temple of the Holy Spirit, bringing heaven to earth in your daily life?
Respond: Spend a moment thanking God for this time, invite Him to continue to speak throughout this day, and close by praying the "Our Father".
Closing Prayer for the Week: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your relentless pursuit of relationship with us. From the first Passover to Pentecost, from the tabernacle to the temple, from Jesus to Your Spirit within us—You have always made a way to dwell among us. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Transform us into pockets of heaven. Empower us to be Your witnesses in our city. Help us live in the reality that we are Your temple, carrying Your presence wherever we go. Come, Holy Spirit. Make us more like Jesus. For Your glory and the sake of the world. Amen.