Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – Luke 24:45-49 – Clothed With Power – Growing As Disciples
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:45-49 (NIV)
Stay
That is a very hard word for me to put into practice. What word is that? Stay. I have a very difficult time staying in one place. I want to be on the go. I want to be on the move. I don’t like sitting around doing nothing. Is that what you think it means to stay? If I tell you to stay, do you think that is the same as me telling you to do nothing? That’s a good question, that I haven’t considered. I have only thought of staying as doing nothing and being a waste of time. That’s not correct thinking on your part. I need to hear more.
Let’s talk about what is a waste of time. I’m listening. That’s good. Have you ever wasted your time and effort by doing something that I didn’t ask you to do? Yes, many times. Have you ever wasted time and effort by trying to do something under your own power, without my help? Yes, many times. Have you ever wasted your time and effort by running ahead of me and trying to do something before you were ready? Yes, many times. Have you ever wasted your time and effort by not carefully following my instructions? Yes, many times. Might you have greatly benefited by staying with me, in my presence before making all these mistakes? Yes, I’m sure that is true. That’s good.
So, tell me how you will wisely use the time, when I tell you to stay in one place. I will stay and wait for your guidance. I will stay and wait for your power. I will stay and wait for you to prepare me. I will stay and wait for your instructions. Does waiting in any one of these ways seem like a waste of time to you? No, not at all. Do you believe that you really need to stay in one place until you have received these things from me? Yes, I do. Without your help I can do nothing. Without your power, my efforts will be fruitless. I desperately want and need your help. I will come to fully rely on you. I will place all my faith in you. That is very good. I will use you to be my witness in the world. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name.
Holy Spirit, it has been difficult for me to wait. Often, I have run ahead of you and tried to do your work under my own power. What a fruitless mistake. I’m here now. I’m waiting. Fill me. Clothe me. Empower me to do your work and be your witness in the world. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Holy Spirit – Luke 24 -45-49 – Clothed With Power – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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