The coming of the Holy Spirit is a promise of Jesus to His followers.
On May 28, 2023, Christians will be celebrating the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost traditionally is 50-days after Easter Sunday (April 9, 2023). In the following days, we will be sharing devotions from the Book of Acts in the Bible.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
Reading: Acts 1
Jesus rose from the grave! He was alive and even ate with His disciples (John 21). Jesus was seen by His followers, His own family, and other people in Israel after He rose from the dead. (See I Corinthians 15:5-6). Then Jesus had to return to His heavenly home with His Father. Jesus promised His disciples before His crucifixion the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-9). Then after His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples to gather and wait in Jerusalem (Acts 1:4-5). He told them why and the purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The disciples thought Jesus was empowering them for a political uprising, to revolt against Roman rule (v.6). But Jesus had a different plan for them. He wanted His disciples to receive power from the Holy Spirit to have boldness, courage, wisdom, faithfulness, joy, and peace so they could be effective witnesses for Him. Jesus wanted them to continue preaching the Gospel the same way He did when He was conducting His ministry with them during His earthly life. After Jesus was arrested and suffered death on the cross, His disciples were all afraid and went into hiding. Jesus knew how they felt and knew all their fears. So, Jesus knew they need the power of the Holy Spirit – to have courage and boldness to follow His commandments.
Jesus told His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19 NKJV). He gave them this commandment, and He also equipped and empowered them to do what He told them to do. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
Thought for the Day:
The words and promises of Jesus to His disciples are still true for all His followers today. Jesus wants us, His followers, to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit so we can be witnesses for Him to our families, our neighbors, our friends, those in other places, and to people of other countries and ethnicities.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to us Your followers. Holy Spirit please fill us, your followers, with your power and your spirit of might, wisdom, courage, and boldness to be witnesses for You wherever You send us. Amen.
Your Thoughts:
Your Prayer:
The Creels' Catch 