Saturday’s Verse:
From Acts 1:8 ESV
“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.”
Someone once told me that he didn’t think the Holy Spirit was with him. No matter how many times he went to church, he claimed he never felt overly spiritual toward others. His missionary work consisted of setting up tables and mopping the floors at church, not talking with people about Jesus. He claimed he had never felt that his faith in Jesus was very strong.
At times, we all feel like this. But in Acts 1, Jesus tells the apostles and us that the Spirit of God is upon us. More importantly, the Spirit is in us and encourages us to share the Gospel message with others.
When Jesus speaks to us in Acts 1, He tells us, "You shall receive." We don't have to be perfect witnesses or even give the right words. That will all come from the Spirit. Jesus has died for us and risen again so that he can forgive us. So when we fail as witnesses, we can know that He still has good news for us to share. We don't have to earn His love by being a witness. We witness because he loves us. Maybe it will be to just one neighbor today. Speak a word of grace.
Today’s Prayers
Lord Jesus, through your Spirit, help us to have more faith in you. Allow others to be reached through us. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Image above was created by Gemini (gemini.google.com).