Daily Devotionals

Trouble Maker Week 10: Friday

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Can you imagine how Jesus’ disciples in the moments before He left earth and returned to Heaven? I’m sure there was a sense of urgency to grasp everything He told them. I am sure they were hanging on to every word He said. After all, these were the words that they would hold on to long after He left earth. These, my friends, were words worth capturing and holding on to. They are still words that we hold on to today. 

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,” Jesus said to His disciples right before he returned to Heaven. Jesus was about to physically leave the disciples and His people, but they would not be left alone. The Holy Spirit was coming, and when the Holy Spirit came, they would have power from the Holy Spirit. The power was for a purpose, however. You see, Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit’s power is to equip us to build His kingdom and make Christ known all over the world. 

My friend, if you and I have given our lives to Christ, we have the Holy Spirit to walk through life with us and give us power. The Holy Spirit advocates for us, guides us, leads us, and gives us power as we seek to make Christ known and build His kingdom. We are not left to live this life alone. We have a Holy Spirit who walks with us every step of the way and gives us the power to live boldly for His kingdom. The question is, are we taking steps to make an impact for Christ and for His kingdom? Are we stepping into the calling to be witnesses for Christ all across the world?

Moving toward action

How are you following this command from Jesus to go and make disciples? Are you sharing your faith with others and inviting them to follow Jesus? One easy way to do this is to invite them to come to a church service with you. Invite a friend or family member to join us at one of our services this weekend. Your invitation just may be the catapult that leads your loved one into a relationship with Jesus.

Going Deeper

Acts 1:1-11 (NLT)

"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”