EMPOWERED TO PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “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.” Acts 1:8, ESV
Theme: When we receive the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to proclaim the Good News.
HIS WITNESSES
Sometimes I show my shortcomings, moods, and frustrations; it’s not pretty. Other times, despite difficult circumstances, the Holy Spirit fills and empowers me to be a witness to Him. For me, this often depends upon the way I begin my day. Did I rise rushed and leap headlong into the worries of the day? Did I skip prayer and reading the Bible, instead heading straight to the “pressing issues” of the day?
Today, the “pressing issue” was a stye in my six-year-old's eye that had him in a sour disposition. While the stye itself is temporary, not contagious, and should go away on its own, it irritated him greatly and inconvenienced me as well. There was shouting, refusal to go to school, and ultimately a trip to the pediatrician to confirm the suspected problem. Was there prayer? No. I wish I had prayed. Did I ask for help from the Holy Spirit? No. The problem seemed too small. Yet, what could have happened had I been ready and prepared by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide and lead me first thing? What if I had allowed His still small voice to remind me to reset in the middle? A difficult morning instead could have been one where we recognized and proclaimed the Good News.
THERE IS ALWAYS GOOD NEWS
In every situation, there is Good News. I don’t always choose to see it, but it exists. The Good News of the stye is that my little guy and I won’t always be subject to disease and broken bodies – ultimately “He [God] will wipe every tear” (and stye!) “from their eyes...” (Revelation 21:4a, ESV). Though the morning routine was disrupted, it didn’t have to be bad news. We walked the dog. We vacuumed the car. We did some “Danny Go!” exercise videos on YouTube. Then we visited the doctor (for which we have insurance) in a car (that runs on roads that are paved). We are thankful to have so many resources. This was a silly problem that is a mundane example of a lifelong spiritual assignment.
In every situation there is Good News. Even when we are willing to share it, we need His Holy Spirit alive within us to empower us. Preparing each day by inviting the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me gives the best chance of being “His witness” throughout the day. I can either allow my own instincts to lead me or allow God to speak in and through me. A big challenge, but not one that we face alone.
Make It Personal: In what small (or large) way does your current situation allow you to share the Good News? Is it the Gospel story shared with the friend or the Good News about sickness, death, or struggle?
Pray: Lord, we humbly pray for Your power and Holy Spirit to fill us so that we can share Your Good News. We pray for opportunities to talk about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We pray for the words to share about the day when all things will be made new. Thank You for providing the Holy Spirit and allowing us to be part of Your redemptive story. You are so faithful to us. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Revelation 21:4; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6
Weekly Memory Verse: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:7-8, ESV