https://esv.literalword.com/?q=acts+1
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 15 April 2024:
Note: Here is a short video overview of Acts, chapters 1-12: https://thebibleproject.com/explore/acts/
Acts 1:2 — …until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
Christians receive commands from Jesus daily through the Holy Spirit. Can you hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to you today?
Acts 1:4 — And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father….
One of the hardest things to do is wait on the Lord and on His promises. Abram couldn’t wait for God to provide the son He promised, and we are still feeling the pain of Abraham’s sin. Jacob couldn’t wait for the inheritance promised by God, and we are still feeling the pain of his sin today. Be very careful not to get ahead of God. Wait on Him to provide in His timing. Until then, focus on being faithful with what God has provided.
Acts 1:7 — He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”
How many times on a long car ride will the little kids say, “Are we there yet? When will we be there?” When they get more mature, they learn to wait patiently and make the most of the time. We spend too much time worrying about when God is going to do what He is going to do. The Bible is clear, the past is gone, and there is no sense mourning what could have been; the future is not in our control, and though we can plan to be prepared for what may come, we should not worry about it. The only thing we can influence is today. Today is where we must be faithful and make the most of every opportunity. Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow but make the most of today. Constantly speculating about the future can be a form of escapism, distracting you from the thing right in front of you. Faith is trusting God enough to obey Him today. Hope is trusting Him with the future. Walk in faith and hope. Obey today, and trust God with the future.
Acts 1:8 — …you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses….
God gives His children His Holy Spirit and unnatural, supernatural power, not to achieve mere happiness but to achieve holiness, not merely to achieve personal success but rather to be His witness, helping others experience the Truth of God in their lives. Understand that power is not about you or for you — it is about God, empowering you to make disciples. Nothing speaks more powerfully than the life truly transformed, but the supernaturally transformed person has a story to tell everyone desperately needs to hear. If you want Holy Spirit power, be a witness.
Matthew concluded his account of Jesus’ life with the following commission from Jesus: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Today in Acts, the author, Luke records Jesus’ final words before His glorious ascensions – “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.” (Acts 1:8) Again, we see Jesus’ intent for us to be His witnesses to the world, with an inside-out approach, locally to globally. We also see how our mission is empowered, not by our own talents, skills and abilities, but by the Holy Spirit. How much time do we have to proclaim the Gospel before the Final Judgment? “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7) This human uncertainty should instill a sense of urgency for those we love.
So how do a bunch of simple people possibly proclaim the Gospel to the whole world?
Step 1: Pray together in one accord – “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (Acts 1:14)
Step 2: Take action in obedience – “Peter stood up among the brothers….” (Acts 1:15) When God tells you what to do, pray and don’t delay – delayed obedience is disobedience.
– 2 Corinthians 6:2 — Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Acts 1:11 — 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.
What are you staring at? Start serving God. Jesus will return on God’s timing. Be ready today, and be faithful with today.
Acts 1:16 — Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David.
The Bible is God’s word provided through Spirit-filled men.
Acts 1:24, 25 — And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
Only God knows the true heart of a person. Knowing a person’s heart is beyond our capability, but certainly not beyond God’s capability. God can reveal another person’s heart to us. Be careful not to make assumptions about what is in another person’s heart based on what you perceive from their actions. Our perceptions are always incomplete and can be deceptive. What we interpret as hateful may have been intended as loving, and vice versa. Instead of judging another person’s heart and motives, ask God to reveal the truth of the matter. In the process, God might just reveal something about your own heart condition you hadn’t perceived previously.
We don’t know what we don’t know, but God does. When we are faced with difficult decisions, we must, absolutely must, start with prayer and remain in constant prayer. God will always, yes always, answer your prayers with one of four answers: “Yes…. No…. Not yet, be patient…. [or] Instead, here is something much better for which you should have asked and would have asked if you knew all that I know and had my heart.” But often, His answer is not clear to us, even when decisions are pressing. So, what do we do then? For example, suppose we are choosing between two options. Which to choose? Again, we must remain in prayer, ready to receive an answer from the Lord, ensuring we don’t confuse emotions or imaginations with the clear guidance of the Holy Spirit.
While in prayer, we must consider what God has already told us through His word — we must obey the ethical will of God as it is revealed in Scripture. If Scripture prohibits one of two options, the decision is easy. Similarly, if one of the options would cause you to neglect something God specifically commanded you to do, you are required to make the choice that would allow you to fulfill your commitments and biblical obligations. If there is no clear answer and there is time to wait, then wait – don’t rush an important decision. What if still no answer? Then, using God’s word (revelation we already have), we should dig deeper to determine which option best conforms to God’s commands and direction. If the options are equally Biblically supportable, we should then go with our wisdom or preference, seeking guidance from other wise counsellors. (Proverbs 15:22) If still undecided, then use any method, flip a coin – God will honor your efforts to conform to His will and to choose with discretion. And if you still choose poorly, God will instruct you and guide you through the error.
Key to decisions making is trusting and obeying. Trust that God is answering your prayer, perhaps in ways you don’t recognize. Obey Him with joy, enthusiasm and confidence in whatever He providentially places before you today, and don’t worry about what is happening or may happen. God will never leave you or forsake you and is working all things (even the seemingly bad things) our for good as He conforms you to the character of Christ for His glory, the benefit of others, and for your benefit too.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 15 April 2024: Be a witness wherever you are by making the reign of Christ visible in your life. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in the sharing of the Gospel with at least one person today.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 