Read Acts 1 and 2
Derek Harden
Acts 1:3
He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God.
I love the book of Acts! I’m a very practical and simple person, so I appreciate the perspective this book offers. I tell people that reading Acts is like watching the disciples walk around with a GoPro camera. We get to see how followers of Jesus acted, talked, and responded as the Church began.
Acts 1 and 2 cover a lot of ground. I want to highlight an important but easily overlooked verse that sets the tone for the entire book. Look at Acts 1:3 above. Jesus spent His final 40 days on earth speaking about the Kingdom of God. This is critical for us to see. Jesus knew His time was limited, and He chose to focus on the Kingdom of God (the Kingdom refers to the rule and reign of God). As we read through Acts, we will see many ways that the Kingdom of God breaks into the world.
One thing that is clear in the first two chapters is that the Holy Spirit is essential to the church partnering with God. Acts 1:9 is one of my favorite verses because it promises that we will receive power through the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew His followers would need a Helper, so He told them to wait for the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, the promise = Holy Spirit). Once the Spirit was poured out (Acts 2), the disciples began to see the Kingdom of God established on earth as in heaven. People were healed, set free, restored, given hope, and emboldened as they continued the work of Jesus (John 14:12) through the power of the Holy Spirit. The people of God cannot do the works of God apart from the Holy Spirit.
I pray that you are encouraged and challenged throughout this fast. I pray that you will encounter God in fresh ways. I pray that you would recognize the invitation of God to partner with Him to establish the rule and reign of heaven in your home, workplace, and community.
Application:
Take a moment to consider who the Holy Spirit is and how you have experienced Him in the past.
Prayer Prompt:
If you desire to understand and experience the Spirit more, write down or speak out a simple prayer asking God for more. Jesus promised that the Father would give more of the Holy Spirit, so ask Him! (Luke 11:13)
