Thursday, June 7

THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2018

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (Acts 5:29-32)

While the Book of Acts often receives the tagline of the "Acts of the Apostles," looking deeper, we may clearly see that the Holy Spirit deserves the proper credit for what transpires.  Remembering back to Acts 4:22-31, we find the early disciples praying and seeking God's guidance in spreading the Gospel to an unbelieving and challenging populace.  They had staked their very lives on their testimony for the risen Christ.  They were confident of God's standing with them, and the fruit of that boldness comes forth in the following chapters.

Please notice that Acts 4:31 explains that their boldness came from the filling of the Holy Spirit.  These men and women had come from ordinary backgrounds, but the Holy Spirit had empowered them to "turn the world upside down."

Some observers have speculated that we don't see such powerful movements of the Holy Spirit in the U.S. today because of weakened faith and complacency with sin.  One manifestations of our diminished faith lies in our tendency to trust ourselves more than God's power.  We reason that our expertise and study have prepared us to tackle any situation.  While God has certainly endowed us with wisdom and great teaching, failing to trust God completely in God and not seeking Him desperately may leave our outreach and discipleship efforts lacking.

I accept responsibility for having believed God for too little.  For assuming that certain challenges are beyond His ability.  For trusting myself instead of the Holy Spirit.  For seeking worldly solutions to spiritual issues.  For not standing boldly for Christ in each moment.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Luke 10:2)  Whose harvest field?  God's!  May we be ready workers — and seek after others — to venture into the harvest field.

Lord God, thank You for showing us the apostles' example of trusting completely in You.  Thank You for the faithfulness of those workers who have gone before us and have plowed, sowed, and watered the soil of our lives and those before us.  Thank You that the testimony of Your Word doesn't change with cultural shifts or human decision.  Make us ready workers for Your harvest field.  Increase our faith and boldness.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may experience the full joy of seeing transformation in our lives and in those of our family, friends, and neighbors.  We love You and honor You today.  In Jesus's Name, amen.