God's Holy Fire: 'Wait for the Promise'

Saturday, January 31, 2026

[Jesus said,] "You're the first to hear and see [the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Messiah]. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until [the Holy Spirit] arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."
— Luke 24:48-49 MSG

Key Thought

"You're the witnesses!" Jesus wanted his closest followers to know that they had experienced some things that were world-changing, and they were the first ones to witness these things. Their mission would be great, but they would receive power to help with that mission. That power would equip them and enable them to be witnesses to the world. The power that they were promised is the Holy Spirit. And that Holy Spirit, dear friend, is the same Holy Spirit that lives inside Jesus' followers today! The early disciples waited for Jesus to send that power at Pentecost, and we are living reminders of that promise being fulfilled and that power being real. Two thousand years later, people across the oceans, from a multitude of cultures, call Jesus Lord because the promise of the Holy Spirit's coming is true - in New Testament times and in our own!

Today's Prayer

O Father, please forgive us for not believing in the power you have made available to us in your Holy Spirit. Thank you, Jesus, for pouring the Spirit out on us when we gave our lives to you. Now, I ask that you open our eyes and our hearts to see and believe that this promised source of power to witness to your work is available to us today. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

10 Related Resources by Heartlight

Where's the Power?
Article by Phil Ware
What happened to the power Jesus promise? Phil Ware continues the LifeWORDS series and focuses on Jesus' promise to send the power of the Holy Spirit to empower the church.
Filled with Joy and Praise
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[After appearing to the disciples and eating with them, then Jesus] said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in...."
The Hebrew Scriptures
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, In today's verses, I AM in the final preparation stages of leaving My disciples and ascending back to the Father. Although the..."
God's Twin Grace
Article by Phil Ware
Why do we often emphasize one, but forget the other? Phil Ware writes about the grace of God to save us from sin and for holy living.
See All 10 Related Resources about Luke 24:48-49

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 24:48-49 MSG — "You're the first to hear and see [the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Messiah]."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, January 31, 2026

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Pleasure in All He Has Made' (Ps. 104:24,)
"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. ... May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God's Message and a Gracious Example'
"[To the Ephesian elders, Paul continued,] "And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 3:20-21
"Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'The Lord Lifts Up His People'
"The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up people who are in trouble. The Lord loves those who do right. The Lord protects the foreigners......"

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations