ORDAINED TO MAKE PROGRESS
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”. (Acts 1:8 NLT).
The believer in Christ Jesus has been ordained to produce results. You were born into the higher life that is characterized by progress. Child of destiny, you’ve been brought into a partnership of the God-kind. The word of God rightly said “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7). His ways and His acts speak of progress!
The disciples of Jesus were concerned and wanted to know when the kingdom would be restored to Israel to which the Lord answered “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” (Acts 1:7). This is where our opening verse begins to come together. The disciples of Jesus were commanded to make progress by witnessing the love of Jesus everywhere they went, which included Jerusalem – obviously as the base, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. These were the last words Jesus uttered on earth before he was taken into heaven. Jesus’ instruction was very clear – make progress through the Holy Spirit.
Make up your mind to make progress this year. You have been equipped by the Lord to testify of His love to your world; don’t keep quiet. The early Church, against Jesus’ command, remained in Jerusalem. They didn’t go to Judea or Samaria, let alone to the ends of the earth. Some believers today are acting like the early Church did without realizing the consequence. There arose a persecution after the death of Stephen and they scattered abroad. “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.” (Acts 11:19). Through persecution, they scattered abroad and began to witness the Lord Jesus just like they were commanded.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I receive the grace to make progress this year by the power of the Holy Spirit. May your word propel me to the path I should go in the name of Jesus Christ.
