Daily Devotionals

The word weeping in this passage represents the Old Covenant form of repentance. The New Covenant word for repentance means “to turn around, to change the way you’re going.” But in the Old Covenant, to weep for your sin and to mourn for it was really all you could do. You couldn’t get born again. But, praise God, in New Testament times, not only can you have godly sorrow for it (see 2 Corinthians 7:10), but you can also get rid of it by the blood of the Lamb!

But, Old Covenant or New, one thing remains the same—repentance is mandatory for anyone who wants to be in on the move of God.

Well, there’s certainly no hope for my church, you may be thinking. There’s so much junk going on in it, we’d never get it all repented. Sister So-and-So is mad at Brother Such-and-Such. This group is cross with that group. And everybody is upset with the preacher! I guess we’ll just miss out on the end-time Glory.

Don’t be so sure. If the bunch that was gathered in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost could repent and get in unity in just a few days, then your church can too, if you’ll just keep praying and believing God for it.

“Brother Copeland, are you saying Peter and John, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and all the rest of the disciples had to repent before the Holy Spirit could fall on them?”

I certainly am. There was trouble in this ministry! The treasurer had been stealing and ended up committing suicide…the rest of the disciples argued about who would be top guy…there was so much strife, John and James’ mother got involved…Peter denied the Lord…just to name a few of the troubles.

But somehow in that upper room, they dropped their differences. Jesus’ mother was there. James and his brothers were there. Peter and John were there. All those who had been cross with each other were there…and they were all right with one another. In fact, the Bible says they “were all with one accord” (Acts 2:1).

I’m telling you, some repenting had gone on! And God Almighty came on the scene. The Glory was poured out.

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).

Speak the Word

“I turn to the Lord with all my heart. He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.”  (Joel 2:12-13)