Verse
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
— Acts 13:52 NIV
Thought
The Holy Spirit's presence in God's people is accompanied by joy! Jesus was full of joy because of the Spirit (Luke 10:21), and the same is also true of his disciples (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22). What I find interesting about today's passage is that all the external reasons for the disciples of Jesus to rejoice are absent. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted and run out of the region of Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:49-52). But, the good news of Jesus had penetrated the hearts of people who believed and turned to him. Paul and Barnabas continued on their mission and left behind a group of people in whom the Holy Spirit of God lived. No matter the circumstances, the Holy Spirit is going to bring God's deep and abiding sense of joy. Before his death, Jesus had promised this joy to his followers (John 16:21-24). God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our assurance that we belong to God and will ultimately share eternity with him (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13). While trials, persecutions, and hardships may come our way, the Holy Spirit within us is God's reminder that our ultimate victory is secure and that our Father's love is always present. It's no wonder we are filled with "an inexpressible and glorious joy"! (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Prayer
O Father, I look forward to seeing you face-to-face as your child and experiencing the full realization of the joy of your grace. I thank you for the Holy Spirit who brings that sense of joy into my heart even in the darkest moments of my life's journey. In Jesus' name, I thank you! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
— Acts 13:52 NIV
Thought
The Holy Spirit's presence in God's people is accompanied by joy! Jesus was full of joy because of the Spirit (Luke 10:21), and the same is also true of his disciples (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22). What I find interesting about today's passage is that all the external reasons for the disciples of Jesus to rejoice are absent. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted and run out of the region of Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:49-52). But, the good news of Jesus had penetrated the hearts of people who believed and turned to him. Paul and Barnabas continued on their mission and left behind a group of people in whom the Holy Spirit of God lived. No matter the circumstances, the Holy Spirit is going to bring God's deep and abiding sense of joy. Before his death, Jesus had promised this joy to his followers (John 16:21-24). God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our assurance that we belong to God and will ultimately share eternity with him (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13). While trials, persecutions, and hardships may come our way, the Holy Spirit within us is God's reminder that our ultimate victory is secure and that our Father's love is always present. It's no wonder we are filled with "an inexpressible and glorious joy"! (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Prayer
O Father, I look forward to seeing you face-to-face as your child and experiencing the full realization of the joy of your grace. I thank you for the Holy Spirit who brings that sense of joy into my heart even in the darkest moments of my life's journey. In Jesus' name, I thank you! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
