Scripture reading for today: Acts 3 – 4; Psalm 107
Yesterday we had an opportunity to begin reading the book of Acts. Many theologians believe that Luke wrote both the gospel of Luke and Acts as one body of work. Looking back at yesterday’s example, what we’re going to be reading about today is “transfer.” Acts shows us the “transfer” that took place in the relationship Jesus had with his disciples. One of those important “transfers” was power.
He (Jesus) replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times (the disciples had been questioning Jesus about when a certain event was going to occur), and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8 NLT
As we “come to believe” in this “Power greater than ourselves,” we realize that there are many questions that will go unanswered. This is a tough truth. We want answers, don’t we?
We also receive instructions. There is something we’re supposed to go and do. We are given the power to accomplish the task set before us. Again, I return to a question: Who is this power source that has such big plans for me? “Coming to believe” compels me to get to know this God who is sometimes so beyond my limited, human understanding.
I want to ask you to consider the implications of what we read in scripture. I want us to become a people who not only hear His word, but study it. We think about it. We consider its implications for ourselves and for others. We force ourselves to be honest about the incongruence we see in our lives versus God’s intended life for us. Think. Think about the process of “transfer.” Acknowledge the truth that some of us have had an inadequate “transfer” (see Justin’s story in yesterday’s devotional) and we need to rethink what we believe.
…I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. Isaiah 46:3-4 NCV
God is in the business of taking care of us; His “transfer” is always good stuff. He knows what we need because He made us (this may be far different than what we want). Yucky transfer means that you and I may have mixed up our needs and our wants. We may be looking for love in all the wrong places. “Coming to believe” requires us to be willing to change what we believe if our “transfer” proves to be unworthy of Him who made us. I pray that today the Holy Spirit will speak to each of us in a way that reaches beyond your limitations and that His “transfer” will be received by a soft and tender heart–ready to be expanded and grown in new ways.