Day 2

It is so cool to think that I am a follower of Jesus because of what Jesus has promised.

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Scripture

“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

Observation

We pick up Luke’s account of the story of Jesus after his Resurrection. Jesus has been spending 40 days appearing and teaching those who followed him closely during his earthly ministry. Jesus tells them to wait for a gift…the gift of the Holy Spirit. Instead of the Spirit just coming to dwell in a few prophets (the Old Testament), this time the Spirit was coming to dwell in everyone who believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This Spirit, the Holy Spirit, would offer many things…but one thing Jesus mentions here is that the Spirit would give the believers POWER to become “witnesses” and share the message of Jesus all the way to the ends of the earth.

Application

It is so cool to think about the fact that I am a follower of Jesus because of what Jesus promised in this verse. I am a product of followers of Jesus sharing the Gospel to my descendants. And this same Spirit is at work today, giving power to tell others around me who don’t yet believe in Jesus about the hope and relationship I have with Him. What are the names of 2-3 people in my life that don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus that I can begin praying for the Spirit to open up opportunities to tell them about the message of Jesus? I can also invite them to Journey on a Sunday morning in the next few weeks.

Prayer

“Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit in my life. Thank you that the Spirit gives me power to tell others about the hope I have in you. Please bring to mind a couple people you’ve brought in my life that don’t yet have a relationship with you. I ask that, through your Spirit, you open opportunities to share your life-saving message with power. Give me the courage and the wisdom to not be a jerk, but also not to shrink back when the opportunity presents itself. Amen.”

Scripture

Get to a place where you can focus and read the daily Scripture passage several times. Take time to read and allow God to speak to you. Write down the one or two verses that stick out. Even consider rewriting the verse(s) in your own words.

Observation

Make a basic observation about the scripture you just read. What stood out? Was something repeated? What is the author trying to communicate? What does the Scripture passage teach you about God? What does it teach you about humanity?

Application

Ask, “What does this verse(s) mean for my life?” How might this verse affect your heart — how you feel? How does this verse challenge your thinking? How does it affect your will, asking, “What changes do I need to make in my life as a result of this passage of Scripture?”

Prayer

Write out a prayer to God. Scripture is God speaking to you, take this moment to speak back. Take a moment to say, “Thank you,” confess to Him what needs to change, or ask for something that is on your heart.