With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
O Lord, your scars are your trophies, proof of your unfailing love for me. I am haunted by the guilt of my past, the sins of my present, and my fear of the future. Lord, at the cross you said, “It is finished.” So I stop my worry. I rest in you. You have done it all. Amen.
Confession
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lord, forgive my fugitive ways. I turn and run from you. Forgive my criminal acts of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Forgive my violations of arrogance and selfishness. Forgive me for denying you, ignoring you, and disregarding you. I am the one at fault. I have no other help but to turn my face to you and plead, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Word: Acts 1:8
“And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
Meditation: Use Your Power
Today’s meditation is written by Allison Lewis.
Have you ever been in a situation where you were searching for the right words to say? Maybe they came to you without you knowing how they formed in your brain. Or maybe you’ve listened to a sermon or heard a friend speak words to you that were exactly what you needed to hear at that moment. Sometimes, in stressful situations, we can be filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
How do we explain all of these circumstances? Through the power of the Holy Spirit we receive at our baptism.
Hear me out— yes, I know, it’s a radical thought. But when you consider this statement from the context of Acts 1, the simple examples above confirm the power of the Holy Spirit in you, in me, and in our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Here’s a personal example: I love listening to Joy FM (99.1) on my morning drive to work. If I’m in my car early enough, one of the hosts shares a bible verse and a song to meditate on. Other times, they play a song that just really resonates with what’s going on in my life, whether personally, professionally, or in my relationships with family and friends.
Some might say that this is pure coincidence. But I choose to believe that this is the Holy Spirit at work through Christian music. There’s no other explanation for how Joy FM could play a song that sears a hole through my stress or anxiety. They can’t predict that a song by Kari Jobe will also be the prayer I needed but couldn’t speak aloud on my own. And there’s no way that they could select the exact song that popped into my head moments before I heard it as a way for me to give loud thanks and praise to God. That’s a type of power that is reserved for the Holy Spirit alone.
I’m a total daddy’s girl, and one of my father’s favorite phrases is, “The Lord works in mysterious ways, Al.” He’s quite right.
The Lord works in mysterious ways through the Holy Spirit, granting us power as we encounter others daily. It’s how we can find the right words for a friend who’s hurting. It’s why we hear God speaking directly to us through Christian music.
You and I are equipped with a holy, sacred power. How will you use it to reach others?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power you grant me through your Holy Spirit. Help me to use my power to witness to others in your name. Amen.
Benediction
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)