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Daily Inspirational Devotionals
The Spirit’s Transforming Power When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power. (Acts 1:8) Before the death of Jesus, the disciples were certain they had the strength they needed to remain faithful. They had witnessed the boldness of Christ and believed they could emulate his authority. “I am ready to die for you,” Peter said the day before he denied Jesus three times (John 13:37). “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will” (Mark 14:29). But within hours his resolve had dissolved in fear and panic. He denied Jesus, just as the Lord had predicted. Except for Judas, all eleven disciples shared that same desire. They longed to remain faithful and thought of themselves as fiercely loyal to Jesus. But when the chips were down, they all ran into hiding. On their own power they were unable to stand against the spiritual temptations they faced. They cowered in fear at the first sign of trouble. “When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power,” Jesus promised them (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit would give them the resolve to remain true to God and faithful to their convictions. He would bring a sense of supernatural authority to their lives—the ability to resist evil, to discern the truth, to wage war in the spiritual world as well as the physical one. He would give them faith and wisdom and knowledge that they could never find through their own devices. And that’s exactly what he did. When Jesus went and the Spirit came upon them, the disciples demonstrated his power forcefully and preached boldly in the streets. The once-cowering Peter was now filled with the Holy Spirit, and he began to preach so convincingly that thousands were saved in just the first few days of his ministry. He began to heal people of their infirmities, just as Jesus did. He cast out demons and took authority over the forces of evil. So great was his power that people brought the sick into the streets in hopes that Peter’s shadow would fall over them as he walked past (see Acts 5:15). The Spirit of God had transformed the disciples from mere men into supernatural warriors for the Kingdom. That same Spirit rests inside the heart of every believer today. He brings with him the power to transform us beyond our wildest dreams. He breathes into us the power to stand up against evil, the strength to resist Satan’s lies, the boldness to speak decisively on God’s behalf, the supernatural wisdom and discernment that we need, the resolve to become great warriors for the Kingdom. Where we are weak, he brings strength!
Today’s Reading Acts 1:8; 5:12-16 Reflection In what ways have you experienced the Spirit’s transforming power? What areas of your life do you need to surrender to him more fully?
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The best-selling Left Behind series has captured the attention of millions of readers, and it has changed lives. It has brought millions of believers the motivation to examine their hearts. Are you ready to embrace eternity? Live each moment as if it could be your last? Your future is more important than your past. Where you are going matters more than where you have been. What you do from this day forward means much more than what you have already done. You may be affected by your past, but you are not defined by it. Not in the eyes of God. What does it mean to embrace eternity? It means grasping each breath as if it could be your last, living life moment by precious moment with your feet planted firmly on earth but your heart aimed squarely at heaven. It means learning to embrace the role of dual citizenship—living in one world while belonging to another. It is a lifestyle of living like there’s no tomorrow and then dying so that your real life can finally begin! This 365-day devotional explores the themes introduced in the Left Behind series—themes of salvation, grace, obedience, and faith. New believers as well as mature believers will find a message of faith that will inspire and motivate daily.
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