The Rest Of The Message - Don’t Stop Short

Sunday, May 31

Acts 19:2-4, 6 (NIV)

“...and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”

Devotion

In our passage above, Paul meets a group of believers in Ephesus who knew of John’s teaching on the baptism of repentance, but had not heard the complete message of Jesus or of the empowering Holy Spirit.

These disciples were converts to the Christian faith. They had received the teachings of repentance by John the Baptist, but Paul inquires if they had heard the rest of the message. In verse 2, Paul asks, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

These disciples had not heard of the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit and the power of the indwelling fruit of the Spirit.

It is so exciting to share and encourage others with the promising message: “Don’t stop short—there is more!” Many wonderful Christians find themselves relying on their own strength to walk out their journey in a broken world. Yet Scripture shows us that when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, evidenced by a heavenly language and supernatural insight.

We were never intended to walk through this life alone. Jesus offered us His Spirit to dwell within us, to comfort us, to direct our steps, to give us wisdom, and empower us to see what He sees and to love the way He loves.

We do not have to live powerless or empty lives, dependent on our own strength, struggling to make it through another week. He is an inexhaustible, living, and loving God who is waiting to fill and refill us with the hope and means to prosper in life. He will equip us to walk out the wonderful adventures He has planned. Don’t wait another minute without His Spirit.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I lay down my life before You and relinquish my thoughts, my ways, and my strength. I cease from doing things my way. Your ways are so much better. I desire to know You in the ‘unseen world’ of faith, where Your life abounds and possibilities are far above the impossible. Lead me by Your Holy Spirit to experience Your amazing grace. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Start creating a vision of what it would look like walking in the type of life Paul spoke about in today’s verse. Imagine the impact your life would have on those around you. What a difference it would make. This walk is available to all believers in Christ, if we dare to believe.

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