VerseOnce when he was eating with them, he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before."
— Acts 1:4 nlt
ThoughtWhile the apostles were to "Go make disciples of every nation" (Matt. 28:18-20), the Lord also told them to wait — to not leave Jerusalem before receiving the promised gift from God. They needed the power the prophets had promised would be the sign and abiding power of the new age. This promised gift is the Holy Spirit. Prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Joel had spoken about the pouring out of the Spirit and the Spirit's presence in each follower's heart. So in prayer, the closest followers of Jesus were commanded to wait, to not leave Jerusalem. The Father was going to fulfill the promise and begin his great new work in the world, in the name of Jesus, through these ordinary folks... and now through us! And the source of their ability to do this great new work? The power of the Holy Spirit!
PrayerFather God, I know the Bible is full of many promises. I thank you for your faithfulness to these promises. I praise you for your grace and mercy, for without them, none of the promises would have been fulfilled. I confess that I have not always been as faithful as I should, yet your faithfulness has remained firm, gracious, and trustworthy. And for this great promise, the gift of the Holy Spirit — the Living Testimony to your faithfulness — I praise and thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
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— Acts 1:4 nlt
ThoughtWhile the apostles were to "Go make disciples of every nation" (Matt. 28:18-20), the Lord also told them to wait — to not leave Jerusalem before receiving the promised gift from God. They needed the power the prophets had promised would be the sign and abiding power of the new age. This promised gift is the Holy Spirit. Prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Joel had spoken about the pouring out of the Spirit and the Spirit's presence in each follower's heart. So in prayer, the closest followers of Jesus were commanded to wait, to not leave Jerusalem. The Father was going to fulfill the promise and begin his great new work in the world, in the name of Jesus, through these ordinary folks... and now through us! And the source of their ability to do this great new work? The power of the Holy Spirit!
PrayerFather God, I know the Bible is full of many promises. I thank you for your faithfulness to these promises. I praise you for your grace and mercy, for without them, none of the promises would have been fulfilled. I confess that I have not always been as faithful as I should, yet your faithfulness has remained firm, gracious, and trustworthy. And for this great promise, the gift of the Holy Spirit — the Living Testimony to your faithfulness — I praise and thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
