The Book of Acts: Turn Your World Upside DownSample

Today’s Devotional:

Since our son Jefferson was an only child, we had so much we wanted to give to him when he was little. But when holidays came around, he would only ask for a small gift, like a $5 video game. While Todd and I were dreaming of giving him a trampoline or a golf cart, all Jefferson asked for was Mad Libs or a simple Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots game. There was a huge gap between what we wanted to give Jefferson and his request. This reminds me of how many of us believers live in the gap between all God wants to give us in a Spirit-filled life and what we settle for in our daily lives.

Acts chapter 2 is like an introduction to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit available to us, and God used the Apostle Peter to set the stage. In Matthew 16, Jesus called Peter “a rock,” but later, Peter fearfully denies Jesus on the night of the crucifixion. But when the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 2, Peter began prophesying and preaching a powerful message. Peter had a new boldness—he was a different person, finally convinced of his identity. Peter was no longer living in the gap between what God wanted to give him and what he was settling for. Peter became who Jesus said he was, stepped into his identity as a rock, and received the gifts God wanted to give him. That is what the Holy Spirit does—He empowers us to be who God created us to be in the first place.

I am a huge believer in investing in ourselves by reading books, listening to podcasts, or knowing your personality type. I do all of that. But a natural grace will not take you to a supernatural place. We need to learn how to pray big prayers, ask for Spiritual gifts, and depend on the Holy Spirit’s supernatural power and enablement for our lives. Because no matter where you are on your Spiritual journey, the Holy Spirit always has more for you.

Several years back, I found myself in a desperate place. I needed more than what I had in my own natural ability and strength. I remember kneeling on the floor and crying out to the Holy Spirit. Before that point, my relationship with the Holy Spirit was, You can come close, but not too close. But that day, I fully surrendered. And all I can say is that I experienced what Peter did—I came up different than when I hit my knees. This kind of encounter doesn’t happen every day, but I know that the more desperate I am, the more the Holy Spirit pours out. He doesn’t always pour out in the same way, but he always pours out.

When I think back to Jefferson in those early years, he missed out because he didn’t know how much capacity we had. In the same way, we need to remember the Holy Spirit’s capacity is greater than we can comprehend. Like Peter, when we rely on Him, we can step into a new boldness and become everything God created us to be.

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Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Julie Mullins.

Questions to Consider:

• Are you settling for less than what God wants for you or daily relying on the Holy Spirit?
• When did you last feel desperate for the Holy Spirit in your life?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, thank you that your capacity is so much bigger than I can fathom. I want every gift you have for me. Help me to fully surrender to you. Pour out your presence. Amen.