Acts 1:1-8
I'm excited today because we're starting a brand new extended Back to the Bible radio series on the Book of Acts (and let me just say, it's a really good series). So that means we'll be looking at Acts here on P4 as well. Basically we'll read through, consider and talk about the entire book of Acts over the next six weeks. So please plan on joining us for Back to the Bible and, of course, P4.
Luke, the author of Acts, starts the book off with a reminder that Jesus was alive and with the apostles for 40 days after his death and resurrection. Then he goes on to talk about God sending the Holy Spirit.
So what do Jesus' words in Acts 1:1-8 show us about the Holy Spirit? How about our actions now that we have the Holy Spirit residing in us? Tami W.
I don't know about you, but whenever I know I should or shouldn't be doing something, I could hear myself thinking, I should read my Bible and pray and not watching TV, or I shouldn't be on this website, I have better things to look up or do. It's like a mini war all the time. I believe that's the Holy Spirit working in me. I don't always do what it told me to, and I always regret it afterward. I am thankful that I have the Holy Spirit living in me. I DO NOT ever want to quench the HS in me. But every now and then, I am a disappointment. So in this regard, pls pray for me. Thank you
As children of God, born again believers, we should not take the Holy Spirit lightly. In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells us that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes. In I Corinthians 6:19-20 we learn that our body is where the Holy Spirit resides. We have been bought with a price (Jesus' dying on the cross), we now belong to God and we should glorify Him in our body and spirit. Since our body is where He resides we should be mindful of how we treat it. Our spirit should reveal His Spirit. In other words, people should see Jesus thru us; in what we do and say and how we act. Wow! I'm definitely a work in progress!
Act 1:1-8 tells me that it is God who sent the Holy Spirit to us, after Jesus was taken up, to guide us and strengthen us, just as the Apostles were guided and strengthened.
The Holy Spirit lives in us when we accept Christ, and guides us in understanding God's will for our lives. This is where I, too, fail in many aspects of my life - I often disregard the prompting of the Holy Spirit, or fail to seek the guidance that is available to me through the Holy Spirit and scripture. I also would like prayers on my behalf, that I will seek the spiritual wisdom and strength available to me, through the Holy Spirit and to OBEY it!
Spiritual warfare is very real and I feel that the devil increases his attacks when at the beginning of the day I ask the holy spirit to help me do the will of God. At some point later in the day (when I least expect it) the devil tries to get a foothold in my thinking and actions - it seems almost predictable. The devil seems to work hardest on those who oppose his evil deeds. Therefore I must discipline myself (with the help of the Holy Spirt) to live a life that others can see Jesus in me - constant prayer is the only answer because my own efforts without the Holy Siprit are futile and most often result in failure - BUT God is good and faithful to those who call on His name in earnest prayer.
When ever I read this passage of scripture I question myself as to why I'm not reaching out to the unsaved more? It is clear that one of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is to give us the power we need to witness to others. I pray that I will learn to seek the boldness I need in this area from the Holy Spirit and to cease seeking help for things that have no eternal value.
Jane & Miki, we would love to pray for you, so thanks for letting us know. I think it's safe to say we could all use help in the area of listening to the Spirit and then acting on His leading. Tami W.
What struck me about this passage is that Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. Sometimes that is exactly what we need to do - wait for the Holy Spirit to show us the answer we are needing.
I was also struck by the fact that the disciples still had not put 2 and 2 together. They had Jesus teaching them about why He had come, but they were STILL asking about taking over the earthly kingdom. Am I reading that right?
This passage reminded me of the power that God place in us when we first accept him into our hearts and lives. The power he has given us to make a difference in this world. For me it is sooo hard to recognize that have that power. It is not like I dont believe in Jesus or his holy spirit because i do and they have been several time i was aware of God speaking to me and have obeyed. Then............they were numerous times i was aware and did not want to obey so you can also pray for me. I know this is like really late but i had licks reading my email over the past couple months.