Prayer Devotional November 23 to 29, 2009

Bread From Heaven Christian Fellowship
Thoughts For the Day
November 23 to 29, 2009
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
A PRAYER-BASED DEVOTIONAL
Read Acts 1
Acts 1:1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. " 6 And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "

MONDAY: Acts 1:7 He(The Lord) said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
Lord Jesus, I hear many rumors, stories, prophesies and predictions about what will happen in the near and distant future. I hear a lot about the feared global disaster expected to take place in 2012. Like others, I sometimes want to find out. But Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminder that events in the future have been set by the Father by His own authority. I understand that to mean that what will happen in the future is not for us to know because it is THE FATHER’S SECRET. I don’t have to be worried. Whatever may happen will not change your promise to us: Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' How foolish of me to be worried about the future. I will not seek to know what will happen. I will just enjoy the thought that You will always be with us to protect us. Thank You Lord Jesus.

TUESDAY: Acts 1:3 To these He ( the Lord Jesus) also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Lord Jesus, there are so many things to worry about while in this world, I confess that there times when I lose heart. I sometimes lose sight of the truth that You are alive forever more and are working all things for out good. You gave Your disciples convincing proof that came back to life again. Lord, I see something more than just Your resurrection. Your disciples were convinced You have resurrected but that also means to me that they were convinced that actually died at one time. You died for me and came back to life. Why should I be worried about the future? Help me Lord to remember this truth. You are alive and You will not abandon me. Thank You Lord Jesus.

WEDNESDAY: Acts 1:4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;,
Lord Jesus, from the accounts in the Gospels, I do not think that your disciples were members of one social group. They came from different social backgrounds and it seems to be that there was no other reason to be grouped together except that THEY WERE ALL YOUR DISCIPLES. Thank You Lord for the reminder to gather together with other believers. You word tells us not to neglect our gathering but there are times when I am simply too tired to go to church to be with other believers. Forgive me Lord. Help me to be willing and active attendee in our gatherings as Your people. I know that I will be blessed abundantly in and through these gatherings. Thank You Lord Jesus.

THURSDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. "
Lord Jesus, I thank you for the reminder that there are two baptisms in my life as a Christian. I know that water baptism is not a requirement to be saved but to show that I already belong to You and a member of the Church. I now also know that there is another baptism that I must go through- the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, help me to understand what that is and to desire it as an important experience and event in my life. Thank You Lord Jesus.

FRIDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, I now know that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for the power to witness for You in my life and in the world. I will obey. I Will become Your witness and I will tell others about You and Your goodness. But Lord, frankly, that is not an easy task for me. I may not have the courage or the ability. I know the answer: Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I desire to be baptized by the Holy Spirit to become a powerful witness for You in this world. Thank You Lord.

SATURDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, I know I have received the Holy Spirit when I became a believer according to the teaching of Ephesians 1:13. But Lord, I also know that it is the presence of the Holy Spirit to seal my salvation; to guarantee that I will never be separated from you is different from the power to witness for You. I have the SEALING presence of the Holy Spirit. I now desire to have the BAPTISM or WITNESSING presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord Jesus.

SUNDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, the disciples obeyed and became Your witnesses in Jerusalem, then in Judea and their work expanded as guided by the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I have my own Jerusalem,; my family, my relatives, my friends. Help me Lord to testify about You as my Lord and Savior. Help me to have the courage to tell my Jerusalem about You and to invite them to church to join us in worship. Lord Jesus, my life would be nothing If I do not live out my life as Your witness. Here I am Lord, I am joining Your team of witnesses, for Your Honor and glory. Thank You Lord.