Daily Devotional for December 31, 2015
Acts 19
Scripture:
1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Observation:
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” This question was clear then and is clear for us today. We need more Spirit-empowered men in our homes, places of work, churches, and communities. Men who understand what it means to be “led by the Spirit.” Men who know how to serve and give sacrificially when the Lord calls. Men who are inspired by the Spirit to say the right words at the right times. This can only be done when we are fully devoted to Christ and have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
If you are a fan of studying scripture, this is an incredible portion of scripture to study. I would encourage you to pick up a Fire Bible and read the commentary available. Here is a glimpse into the personal impact of this passage from the Fire Bible (quoted from 19:2 DID YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT?):
“Paul’s question brings to our attention that it is possible to “believe” in Christ (i.e., to be a true Christian) without experiencing the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Yet to do so deprives the believer of the full benefits and power God intends to give his followers so they can communicate his message and serve his purposes with ultimate effectiveness (i.e., with even greater effect than they may have had without the baptism in the Spirit). The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift of God that, if received, will give great depth to a Christian’s personal worship of and public witness for Christ.”
It goes without saying, we need the Spirit in our lives to accomplish the purposes God has called us to. Whether you have received or not, I encourage you to seek God more and more as you travel this discipleship journey. God is so good to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Application:
- Personal Application: God has given us what we need to fulfill His purposes by giving us the Holy Spirit. Ask God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we need the Holy Spirit in our lives to accomplish God’s purposes. Ask them if they have received. Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for more of His presence in your life.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will always pursue more of God in their life and will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, December 27 – Sunday, January 3:
- Sunday, December 27: Acts 15
- Monday, December 28: Acts 16
- Tuesday, December 29: Acts 17
- Wednesday, December 30: Acts 18
- Thursday, December 31: Acts 19
- Friday, January 1: Acts 20
- Saturday, January 2: Acts 21
- Sunday, January 3: Acts 22
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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