Jessica Albritton, NextGen Minister LHBC

Acts 1:6-11
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

I can remember the first time I ever drove through Tennessee and saw the rolling hills. I was amazed at how beautiful it was. I love driving through Tennessee on those stretches of interstate that go straight through the mountains. The parts where they took dynamite to blow it up and the rock is exposed. It is amazing what a little bit of gunpowder can do. It can literally reshape mountains! 

Acts 1:8 states that we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us as believers. That word “power,” or “dunamis” in the original Greek language, is where we get the word dynamite in our English language. It’s a supernatural kind of power referring to a miraculous or marvelous work and as believers we are given this power upon our salvation. 

As followers of Christ we have been given the task to go and tell everyone about Jesus. But God didn’t just tell us to go and get after it. He knew that it would be impossible in our own strength. So He gives us power. Let that sink in for a minute… We receive power from the God of the universe, power that can do more than just reshape a few mountains. God’s power has the ability to reshape hearts and transform lives. 

The passage closes with two men in white robes saying, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” I love this. They are basically saying, “what are you still doing here?! You got your instructions and the tools to get it done, now go on and get busy!” 

I don’t know about you but it makes me want to get to work! So let’s go get the job done! Let’s talk about Jesus with our family and our coworkers, with those at the grocery store and those we meet on business trips. As believers we have the instructions and we have the tools so let’s go get the work done! 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, you have given such a great task to share the good news of salvation with others! It is a task that I know I cannot do in my own strength. Thank you Father for the fact that I don’t have to do it on my own or in my own strength. Thank you for giving me the power to be a witness for you! Help me have the boldness to share the gospel with all those I come into contact with. In Jesus name I pray, amen

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Samuel 3:10
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”