DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Don't Leave Home Without It!
by Judy Webb
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (Acts 1:4)
And what a gift it was and is today. Can you, as a Christian, imagine going through life, making sound choices, writing wise words, or even deciding important things without this gift to at your side?
If you were to peek at my journal, you would find a constant prayer, “Come Holy Spirit! Fill me with your wisdom and inspiration.” I could not write a word worth reading were it not for the Holy Spirit’s presence at my side. He provides me with inspiration, insight, and courage. He will do the same for you if you but ask. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all…and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)
“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)
Once the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus’ followers, nothing was ever the same again. They were inspired. They became bold, strong, and determined. Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they were unstoppable. Fearless when embracing this gift, they traveled to dangerous places, spoke words of truth with conviction, love, and confidence. Again, everything changed.
The Holy Spirit gives power, God’s kind of power. The Book of Acts is the eyewitness account of all Jesus said and did. To be a witness for Jesus is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus told his people to wait for the gift my Father promised. They waited and were blessed by the Spirit’s appearance. And everything changed from that day until now.
PRAYER PRACTICE
Dear Jesus, thank for you telling your disciples to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the promise to us that when we ask for wisdom, you will generously give it to us. Keep us ever aware of your gifts and your love. Amen.
Good morning, Judy.
Your humility is evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in your life. Calling on Him to walk daily with us in all we do must be pleasing to God. He has given us the Counselor as our gift to draw upon in all situations, relationships, overcoming temptations, showing us how to love the unloveable and the wisdom to make wise choices. That is my idea of a gift. That said, we come to him in humility like you said you do for inspiration, insight and courage. He has to love us when we acknowledge our weaknesses calling on Him for strength. When we do so, He is on the throne and we are…