Tag: power to be witnesses
Witnesses of Jesus equipped with power!
Scripture reading for April 14th: Judges 17-18, Psalm 21, Acts 1
Acts 1: 7-11 “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.” And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Jesus, the Risen King, had a last Word for His disciples before leaving them through supernatural ascension into heaven on a cloud of glory! This Word was an encouragement to these disciples not to fret about the times and seasons of God’s world-wide agenda. Their main focus was to witness to all the world the Good News of God’s love and grace through Jesus Christ. As Jesus reiterated His instructions, He was taken up to heaven in a cloud and two men in white robes confirmed that Jesus would be returning at some time in the future in the same way as He left them. Jesus was their King and they now must live in loving obedience to His commands.
Psalm 21:4-6 “He asked life of You; You gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of Your presence.”
Prayer: Father God, I am grateful to have a King Who is so loving and kind and caring for all the people of the world. I receive His command to be filled with power to be His witness in my home town and this region and to the ends of the earth. You have given me life eternal through salvation and given me the Holy Spirit, Your presence within me as I journey through this wilderness to my eternal home.
Judges 17:5-6 “And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Power to be witnesses!
Scripture reading for May 5th: Acts 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 1: 6-8 “So when they met together, they asked Him, “Lord, are You at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He (Jesus) said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or the dates the Father has set by His own authority. 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.” After He had said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.”
Jesus last words to His disciples before He blessed them as He ascended to heaven concerned their need to wait for the power they needed in the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit would enable them to be effective witnesses beginning at Jerusalem and then as they took the gospel to the ends of the earth. They were not to leave Jerusalem without it! This caused them to draw together in prayer as they waited for what was promised! (Acts 1:14) They would not be disappointed!
Observations for over-comers: The indwelling Holy Spirit is the over-comers source of power to live victoriously and proclaim the gospel to the lost! It is God’s delight to give p0wer to His people! “Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God, in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!” (Psalm 68:34-35)
Final instructions–our instructions!
Scripture reading for June 3rd: Acts 1:1-26
Today our journey through the New Testament takes us to the book of Acts. Acts was an additional historical book written by the doctor, Luke, documenting the progress of the early church. The first 12 chapters focus on events in and around Jerusalem and the Apostle Peter while the last chapters focus on the missionary efforts of the Apostle Paul. There are over 50 references to the Holy Spirit so we might call this book the ‘Acts of the Holy Spirit’.
Acts begins by Luke recounting briefly his Gospel account of all Jesus began to do and to teach before He was taken up to heaven. Jesus appeared to the apostles for a period of forty days and taught them about the kingdom of God. Jesus gave them a specific command, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)
His disciples, now called ‘apostles’ (sent ones), asked Jesus if this is when He would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus told them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. 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.” (Acts 1:8) These final instructions would shape the work of these apostles and the growth of the early church.
Jesus did not want them focusing on dates or times, but wanted them filled with this special gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit. Their purpose was to be ‘witnesses’ of Jesus Christ. Jesus had a simple message and a world-wide vision. The Holy Spirit would empower these men and the other followers of Jesus to be the witnesses they needed to be.
These simple instructions are still in effect for us today. We are to be focused on the mission of taking the Gospel of Jesus to our own ‘Jerusalem” and then to the surrounding country and even to the ends of the earth. The power to do that comes from being baptized in the Holy Spirit! Ask the Lord to fill you with His power today!