January 1-Meditating on God’s Word
Here is the passage for the week:
Acts 1:1-5, 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.”
Praying the Word: “Lord Jesus, we are embarking on a journey of discovering Your glorious work in the church. We are astounded by all you did in Your ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. Thank You for leading Luke to write this account of the good news of Jesus’ life and this sequel on Jesus at work through the church. This was no small undertaking as it was well-researched and inspired by Your Spirit. You spent 40 days presenting Yourself and showing convincing proof that You really are the risen Lord. During a meal, you instructed your followers to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit to fall upon them. They needed such an empowering to be your fruitful witnesses throughout the world. We, also, need such an empowering to be effective in our witness in the world where we live. We come before You seeking a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
January 2-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:1, In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
Observe what it is saying.
We know Luke’s former book was the gospel of Luke. Luke began his gospel by saying, “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Dr. Luke took his writing assignment very seriously.
In today’s verse, Luke says that his gospel was about what Jesus began to do and teach. The gospel era of Jesus’ life and ministry was just the beginning! Volume 2, the book of Acts, is a continuation of Jesus’ actions and teaching by the Holy Spirit through the ministry and mission of the church. The church, as the body of Christ, is Jesus at work in the world.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
We, as the church, are adding more illustrations to the story of all that Jesus did and taught.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Lord Jesus, help us to believe that You’re still writing Your redemption story through us. Amen.”
January 3-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:2, until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Observe what it is saying.
Luke tells us that his gospel concluded with Jesus’ ascension. Luke 24:50-51, “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”
During those 40 days between the resurrection and the ascension, Jesus continued to teach his apostles. He gave final instructions before he left and the Holy Spirit would come 10 days later to take over the leading and instructing. As we will discover throughout the rest of this chapter, Jesus gave them a game plan so they wouldn’t be lost without Him.
Relate it to your life.
Scripture, which records the teaching of our Lord, is the divine strategy by which we are to live.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, I dedicate myself to stick to the game plan You have given us in Your word. Amen.”
January 4-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:3, 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.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus used the 40 days between resurrection and ascension to prove beyond any doubt that he was alive. If this movement was going to not only survive but thrive, his followers had to be certain of His resurrection. They had to see, hear, and eat with Him. He also taught much more detail about the kingdom of God. I imagine they listened like never before. They had a new perspective on what Jesus said and did. They were forever changed. Their hearts and minds were eager to take in all they could while He was still with them. Every word was treasured.
Relate it to your life.
A sign that I have been spiritually renewed is that I can’t get enough of Jesus’ teaching.
Do something.
“Jesus, I’m hungry for more and more of your truth. Open my heart and mind to You. Amen.”
January 5-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:4, 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.
Observe what it is saying.
One thing that Jesus’ resurrected state tells us is that we will still eat! When all things are finalized at the end of time and the new heaven and earth merge into our glorious eternal home, we will enjoy food with our resurrected bodies. At this particular meal, Jesus was very specific and clear that they were to wait for the gift from the Father which Jesus had previously told them about. Our best action is to heed God’s word and wait for His timing, empowering, and leading.
Relate it to your life.
I need to be careful that I don’t try to get ahead of God in my rush to make something happen.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, help me to wait when necessary to join You in Your work at the right time. Amen.”
January 6-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:5, “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Observe what it is saying.
John the Baptist himself said, Luke 3:16, “John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’”
John’s baptism was one of repentance and preparation as symbolized by the water in which they were immersed. Jesus’ baptism with the Spirit inaugurated the new age of salvation and provided empowerment for ministry. To baptize literally means to be dipped. We need both “dippings” to be fully cleansed and empowered followers of Jesus. Today, if a person is truly repentant and open to the filling of the Spirit, baptism represents both movements of God.
Relate it to your life.
I want the full baptism symbolized by cleansing water and empowering fire.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, baptize me with water and fire. I want all of You. Dip me all the way in. Amen.”
Here is the passage for the week:
Acts 1:1-5, 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.”
Praying the Word: “Lord Jesus, we are embarking on a journey of discovering Your glorious work in the church. We are astounded by all you did in Your ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. Thank You for leading Luke to write this account of the good news of Jesus’ life and this sequel on Jesus at work through the church. This was no small undertaking as it was well-researched and inspired by Your Spirit. You spent 40 days presenting Yourself and showing convincing proof that You really are the risen Lord. During a meal, you instructed your followers to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit to fall upon them. They needed such an empowering to be your fruitful witnesses throughout the world. We, also, need such an empowering to be effective in our witness in the world where we live. We come before You seeking a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
January 2-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:1, In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
Observe what it is saying.
We know Luke’s former book was the gospel of Luke. Luke began his gospel by saying, “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Dr. Luke took his writing assignment very seriously.
In today’s verse, Luke says that his gospel was about what Jesus began to do and teach. The gospel era of Jesus’ life and ministry was just the beginning! Volume 2, the book of Acts, is a continuation of Jesus’ actions and teaching by the Holy Spirit through the ministry and mission of the church. The church, as the body of Christ, is Jesus at work in the world.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
We, as the church, are adding more illustrations to the story of all that Jesus did and taught.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Lord Jesus, help us to believe that You’re still writing Your redemption story through us. Amen.”
January 3-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:2, until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Observe what it is saying.
Luke tells us that his gospel concluded with Jesus’ ascension. Luke 24:50-51, “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”
During those 40 days between the resurrection and the ascension, Jesus continued to teach his apostles. He gave final instructions before he left and the Holy Spirit would come 10 days later to take over the leading and instructing. As we will discover throughout the rest of this chapter, Jesus gave them a game plan so they wouldn’t be lost without Him.
Relate it to your life.
Scripture, which records the teaching of our Lord, is the divine strategy by which we are to live.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, I dedicate myself to stick to the game plan You have given us in Your word. Amen.”
January 4-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:3, 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.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus used the 40 days between resurrection and ascension to prove beyond any doubt that he was alive. If this movement was going to not only survive but thrive, his followers had to be certain of His resurrection. They had to see, hear, and eat with Him. He also taught much more detail about the kingdom of God. I imagine they listened like never before. They had a new perspective on what Jesus said and did. They were forever changed. Their hearts and minds were eager to take in all they could while He was still with them. Every word was treasured.
Relate it to your life.
A sign that I have been spiritually renewed is that I can’t get enough of Jesus’ teaching.
Do something.
“Jesus, I’m hungry for more and more of your truth. Open my heart and mind to You. Amen.”
January 5-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:4, 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.
Observe what it is saying.
One thing that Jesus’ resurrected state tells us is that we will still eat! When all things are finalized at the end of time and the new heaven and earth merge into our glorious eternal home, we will enjoy food with our resurrected bodies. At this particular meal, Jesus was very specific and clear that they were to wait for the gift from the Father which Jesus had previously told them about. Our best action is to heed God’s word and wait for His timing, empowering, and leading.
Relate it to your life.
I need to be careful that I don’t try to get ahead of God in my rush to make something happen.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, help me to wait when necessary to join You in Your work at the right time. Amen.”
January 6-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 1:5, “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Observe what it is saying.
John the Baptist himself said, Luke 3:16, “John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’”
John’s baptism was one of repentance and preparation as symbolized by the water in which they were immersed. Jesus’ baptism with the Spirit inaugurated the new age of salvation and provided empowerment for ministry. To baptize literally means to be dipped. We need both “dippings” to be fully cleansed and empowered followers of Jesus. Today, if a person is truly repentant and open to the filling of the Spirit, baptism represents both movements of God.
Relate it to your life.
I want the full baptism symbolized by cleansing water and empowering fire.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, baptize me with water and fire. I want all of You. Dip me all the way in. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals