Unstoppable! 'Jesus at Work Through His People' — Acts 1:1-2

Monday, January 1, 2024

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In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
— Acts 1:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

Don't you find the simple words "everything Jesus began to do" intriguing? Take them with you as we journey through the book of Acts* this year. Jesus' earthly ministry was just the beginning. He didn't quit when he ascended to the right hand of the Father. He promised to empower his disciples through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; John 14:16-17; Luke 24:49), and he did. He told them that they would do even greater things than he had done (John 14:12), and they did. The Lord's presence made them unstoppable. He longs to do the same through us, today.

* Here is our approach to Luke's outline:

Acts: Jesus' Spirit-Empowered Witnesses to the World (Acts 1:8)

  • Growing into Mission 1.8: chaps. 1-9 — (Focus on Jerusalem) {Time of Peter}
  • Deciding for Mission 1.8: chaps. 10-15 — (Focus on Antioch) {Time of Transition}
  • Carrying out Mission 1.8: chaps. 16-28 — (Focus on Ephesus & Rome) {Time of Paul}

Today's Prayer

O Father, forgive us. We so often forget that Jesus is still at work. We plan and act as if his work is up to only us and our efforts. We give up so easily because we don't trust the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to enable us. Open our hearts to the Spirit's power to do more than we can ask or imagine. Stir us to see Jesus at work guiding our movements and opening doors for us to share his message. Lord Jesus, enable us to experience your presence so that we will be bold and unstoppable in sharing your message. We ask for these blessings for your glory and not our own. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 24:44-53
  • Ephesians 3:20-21

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Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, January 1, 2024

Quotemeal
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Quote by Helen Keller:
"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."
Passion for Praise
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'Every Spiritual Blessing' (Ep. 1:3)
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Joshua 5:12
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Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 1:1-2 NLT — In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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