Day 306

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The Holy Spirit at Pentecost Depicted!

Acts Introduction

With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus' small band of disciples is empowered and emboldened to take the Good News of their risen Savior to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and "to the ends of the earth" (1:8). Paul, apostle to the Gentiles, spearheads the gospel advance on three far-reaching missionary journeys. The book of Acts ends in Rome with Paul's imprisonment. But though Paul's ministry is drawing to a close, an unstoppable message is only just beginning.

Scripture

November 1—Acts 1-4: Spirit of the Church

Observation

The ascension of the Lord Jesus is the pivotal event linking Luke's gospel with his volume on the history of the New Testament church. What was covered in only five verses in the book of Luke (24:49-53) occupies an entire chapter in the book of Acts as Luke emphasizes the commissioning of the disciples. In patient obedience, they await the promised Holy Spirit whose indwelling presence and power will equip them for their ministry. With the Spirit's descent, the disciples move out to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ—a miraculous message that meets with an equally miraculous response.

Application

Are you "standing on the promises" or "sitting on the premises"? Just before Jesus ascended back to heaven, he told his followers "not to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them in fulfillment of the Father's promise" (1:4). Entrusted with a life-giving message from their risen Lord, they were nevertheless instructed to wait . . . to tarry . . . to remain silent until they had been empowered by the Holy Spirit. During those ten days, an outside observer might have concluded they were merely "sitting on the premises" when, in fact, they were actually "standing on the promises" as they prayed (1:14), prepared (1:15-26), and waited for Pentecost.

Have you seemingly been placed on the "sidelines" by God for a time as you study . . . raise a family . . . establish a career . . . or find your way in a new neighborhood? Take heart! Rather than allowing the classroom or the home to become an irritation, think of it as a proving ground. If your Christianity works there, then imagine what it can do in your "Jerusalem . . . Judea . . . Samaria, and . . . the ends of the earth"! Reread Acts 1:8, making it your marching orders for the month!

Prayer

Dear God, we know that we are more than conquerors through Christ's love for us. We must only pray if we want to win the battle. We must pray in the Spirit on all occasions to defeat the long-standing enemy, the Devil, and his many agents. Help us please and we will be careful to give you all the praise, the honor and the glory. In Jesus' name we pray! Amen!
 
Pray in the Spirit




© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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