Today’s Key Scripture

“John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

—Acts 1:5

Just before Jesus returned to heaven, He told His apostles not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for “the Promise of the Father” that He had spoken to them about (Acts 1:4). He spoke of John’s baptism, then pointed directly to the baptism of the Holy Spirit not many days from then.

The Lord’s instructions were somewhat difficult for the apostles to understand. They knew well the fellowship of Jesus and to enjoy a relationship with Him, but they had no concept of what it meant to be baptized with the Spirit.

But something happened:

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,… And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David.” (Acts 1:14-16)

The Holy Spirit takes us beyond hearing with our ears and helps us listen with our heart. He gives us the understanding that comes from listening with our heart (spiritual hearing), in addition to the knowledge that comes from listening with our ears (physical hearing).

What happened next changed the world!

 

A Prayer for Today

Lord, thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Lord, whatever I do or face today, help me to remember that You are with me. When things don’t go exactly as I had planned, give me a cheerful, obedient spirit. Forge in me your supernatural determination to do everything that needs to be done today—all for Your glory and honor. I want to move into a deeper relationship with You. Please help me even when I lack faith and understanding. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.