Daily Devotion
The Power to Go On
Created: Monday, 30 July 2018 18:54
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Scripture:
Acts 1:1-5
This week we will begin a walk through the Book of Acts. Last week was a history of the writer. Now, we will walk by chapter and verse. I trust that you have read through the book because I want you to discover so much of Luke's hidden material that the person he was writing to look for.
In two senses, ACTS is the second chapter of a continued story. First, it is the second volume that Luke had sent to Theophilus. In the first volume, his Gospel, Luke had told the story of the life of Jesus on earth. Now, he goes on to tell the story of the Christian Church. Second, ACTS is the second volume of a story that has no end. The Gospel was only the story of what Jesus began to do and to teach.
There are different kinds of immortality. There is an immortality of fame. Beyond a doubt, Jesus did win such immortality because His Name will never be forgotten. There is an immortality of influence. Some people leave an effect on the world that cannot die. But beyond a doubt, Jesus won an immortality because of His undying influence upon the world and the life of men. Above all, there is an immortality of presence and of power. Jesus not only left an immortal name and influence. He is still alive and still active. He is not the one who was; He is the One who is.
In one sense, it is the whole lesson of Acts that the life of Jesus goes on in His Church. The Church continued where Jesus had left off at His resurrection. The book of Acts tells of the Church that carries on the life of Jesus.
The Book of Acts tells how the Church was empowered to do its work by the power of the Holy Spirit. We often call the Holy Spirit "the Comforter". That word goes back to Wycliffe, but in his day it had a different meaning. It comes from the Latin fortis, which means brave. The Comforter is the One who fills people with courage and with strength. In the book of Acts and the New Testament, it is very difficult to draw a line between the work of the Holy Spirit and of the Risen Savior. There is no need to do so, because the coming of the Spirit is the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus, "Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew 28:20.)
Life Application: Do you experience the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout your daily life? This is when you need Him most.
Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, how thankful I am for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. He makes me able to face the devil. I don't have to give in to the evil one. Hallelujah! The Holy Spirit is not only my Comforter; He is the One who enables me to be victorious. Amen!
