CAC Living Water Daily Devotional – Purposively Empowerment

CAC Living Water Daily Devotional | Wednesday, October 20, 2021 | Purposively Empowerment

Topic: Purposively Empowerment

Read: Acts 1:1-8

Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Acts 1:1-8 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

MEMORISE:
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

EXPOSITION
During our Lord Jesus Christ’s mentoring of His first set of disciples, it seemed His mission on earth was not totally clear to them! The Disciples, just like an average Jew then, thought Christ the Messiah had come to rescue them from the dictatorship of the Roman empire! Even up till the time Christ was about ascending into the heavens, they asked Him the very time of Israel’s political restoration when they would hold key positions in the supposed “Independent Israel.” However, their earthly ambition was dashed by Christ’s response.

Jesus bluntly told them to shelve the thought of emancipating Israel and establishing an earthly kingdom. Instead, they should wait for divine empowerment by His Spirit. This dose of the Living Water concerns itself with shedding more light on why the Holy Spirit is given to all Christ’s followers. Since an abuse or misuse of something becomes inevitable, if its purpose is unknown or misconstrued, we must know the purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Majority of believers have been misdirecting their efforts as they abuse the Holy Spirit. It is unequivocal that the Holy Spirit was purposefully released on the Church to be empowered for the propagation of the Gospel here on earth and for practical Christ-like life. The power is not for the Church to become a political force here on earth.

The Holy Spirit is to back up the gospel message by convincing and convicting the sinner. The Holy Spirit pricked the hearts of Peter’s listeners during his Pentecostal sermon. It is time we were back to using the Holy Spirit’s Power in the right way. Some people erroneously think they can channel the Power towards political emancipation and materials gains or merchandising. Thank God for Peter who rebuked such intentions.

If evidently you have received the Holy Spirit, He is to empower and help you build God’s Kingdom here on earth, and prepare you for the rapture and His coming eternal Kingdom. Receive the grace to properly understand and apply this truth. Amen.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord Jesus, fill me with Your Spirit and Power to do the works You have ordained for me.
2. Lord, assist me to make use of the Power of Holy Spirit in the right way.
3. Pray against the abuse of God’s power in some quarters, and that the eyes of members and leaders would be more opened to deal with such godlessness.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Isaiah 44:13 – 47:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:8 – 2:18

Author: Christ Apostolic Church  [Worldwide]