Sunday, October 1
Acts 1:7-8
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Devotional:
The disciples looked to Jesus, knowing that He was leaving, and asked Him to do what they expected Him to do all along, to restore the kingdom of Israel. After all, who else but Jesus Christ could restore His own kingdom? But instead, Jesus leaves, and entrusts the disciples with the power of the Holy Spirit – with His very own power! The power that allowed Jesus to heal the sick, blind and hurt, to walk on the water, to discern the hearts of men and women, and even raise himself from the grave; that is the same power He left to His disciples, and to us! Emmanuel left so that we would have God with(in) us! Together, He’s given us these spiritual gifts so that we could build God’s kingdom here on Earth. It begins right where we are, right now. The Gospel didn’t spread past Jerusalem and Judea because the disciples tried hard, but because they surrendered themselves and relied on the Spirit’s leadings to love and share the Gospel. And God has you precisely where you are meant to be. Everything that God has given you – your family, friends, body, mind, talents, work, home, time, personality, income, gifts, faith and more – have been given to you with purpose. Our job is to simply live it out.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for saving me. For saving me from my sin and saving me for your purpose. Help me to honor you, today, by living the purpose you have for my life. I give you my life. Give me ears to hear your voice, and eyes to see what you see. Tell me where to go. Help me love those around me like you would. Walk with me as I love my family, strengthen me to repent and break old habits, humble me to ask other’s forgiveness, and give me courage to pray with strangers and boldness to tell them about you! Jesus, I love you and I pray this in your great name. Amen.
Application:
Today, would you look and listen for how the Spirit is leading you to LIVE? Remember, you’re already where you need to be for God’s next working in and through your life, and He will show it to you. Don’t be afraid, He’s with you!