WITNESSES
Suggested Reading: Acts 1-2
(click scripture link to read online)
David's City is part of Jerusalem and is on the south side of the Old City walls.
Key Verse: Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
We may consider Acts 1:8 the key verse, not only for this chapter, but for the entire book of Acts. Here we have Christ’s plan, His command to carry out the plan, and the power to carry out His goal to reach the whole world with the Good News of His salvation. We, as believers in Jesus, can easily be diverted from this first and foremost of Jesus’ instructions. We may be comfortable in our own salvation and cease to be concerned for the salvation of others. We may hide behind excuses such as, “I don’t know enough” or “I need to understand the Bible better,” and by such means escape our Jesus-given assignment to be witnesses. Jesus told us clearly that all we need to enable us to share the Gospel is the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask Jesus now for the Holy Spirit to come upon all of us who read this blog. Begin to praise Jesus out loud as long as the volume does not offend others, and start witnessing to someone you meet. Remember, just seven weeks earlier, Peter could not witness to a waitress who gave him every opportunity to share his faith in Jesus. The power of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to acknowledge Jesus is all we need.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, John the Baptist said of You, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” That’s me Lord. I’m one of Your believers. I’ll open my mouth, make a sound, and You, Holy Spirit, as Acts 1:4 says, will give me utterance. I trust You to give me words that will communicate with You, Lord God, (see 1 Cor. 14:1-6) and communicate Jesus to people. In Jesus’ Name I pray, and keep on praying until I experience Your Holy Spirit’s fullness, Amen! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My Son, David Reynold, chose the picture for today of the City of David, a part of Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit came upon 120 people who were in an upper room just at the top left of the picture. When they could no longer contain this powerful experience, they spilled out onto the streets, no doubt some of them into the city of David. I knew that the Holy Spirit came to live in me when I gave my life to Christ in December of 1951, but it was in June, 1952, that the Holy Spirit came upon me with power to witness. That July, I led a man in a prayer to receive Jesus. That August, I know without a doubt that God called me into “the ministry.” (For more details about my early experience with the Holy Spirit, you can read it in my book “100,” available on the Crossroads e-Store…click here). Just before leaving for Israel three weeks ago, I visited a dying man and witnessed about Jesus. He had proclaimed himself an atheist. This past Saturday night, my friend Jerry told me he visited him in the Kingston Hospital just before he died. Jerry asked him about salvation. He told Jerry,”Don’t worry, that’s all taken care of.” Later today, I’m back at the cancer center for chemo treatments. I’m praying that the power of the Spirit will enable me to win someone to Jesus while in the waiting room.
Yours for being available to the Holy Spirit to win someone to Jesus today,
David
I feel as though this was written just for me today David, as I’m the Christian hiding behind excuses. This is one one those ‘conviction’ moments. Thank you for your words and thank you for bringing God’s word to us daily.
We will be praying for you today as you enter into chemo once again. I will also pray that there will be someone at the hospital for you to witness to today. God Bless!
I encourage you Scott on being a faithful servant and sharing your walk with God. I have been blessed by your contributions and they have helped me seek God in my life.
David I pray for you as you start your treatments once again, but more than that, you will be led to someone who needs Jesus. God go with my my brother in Christ. I too have cancer (breast) but with God’s blessing do not need chemo. Having had right breast mastectomy in May, now have left removed next Tues. 4th. Dec. trusting in THE ONE who guides and directs our path. Blessings to you and Norma Jean. Catherine. Keep your blog coming it starts my day with The Lord.
Blessings Catherine,
Mellany
I pray my actions and words would reflect the importance of following Christ in my life. That, when the opportunity to witness presents itself, I would do so.
David
My prayer is the same as yours today
Lianne Hogg
Thank you David for this blog. What a blessing it is to me. I had breast cancer in 2006 and I believe that God healed me.
Last year I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis after being unable to see properly, chew or swallow, but oh the presence of God has been with me.
Praying that the hand of Almighty God will be upon you through the chemo treatments and healing with take place. We serve a great God. Make God give you the chance to let your light shine for Him to others. God Bless You!
Praying for you David and for your family as you will be receiving chemo treatments.
My husband went through cancer treatments as well.
The Lord knows all things, bless you and yours!
I love the photo! Thank you, Reynold! Felt like I was right there with the disciples in the upper room, after having been met and given instruction from the risen Jesus. Amazing! Love so amazing!
Thank you, David, for your message, today. I have had a copy of your book, 100, for many years, and re-read it, every year. I refer to a specific story you told, in my own book, which I am writing.
Bless you, today, as you receive your chemo treatment and witness about Jesus, to more than one person, I am suspecting. 🙂 May the Holy Spirit give you rest and healing, today.
Blessed Lord and mighty God be with David today during treatments and with all the bloggers who have health concerns and r facing such difficult circumstances.
Thank u David for this blog
I am humbled and challenged daily as I pray and believe for my family.
I liked the stmt. that said “simplicity of heart”
All I have to do is share the love of Christ and what He has done for me.
Blessings
mellany
Heavenly Father:
I ask that the Holy Spirit come upon all of us who read this Blogg.
I also pray for the health of David Mainse and all those who need healing.
In Jesus Name…A men
God bless you David. Praying God’s hand and your faith in Him will pull you through, and all fellow bloggers who need help. God is doing things by His Holy Spirit, in fact all over the world the Spirit is moving. Great passage of Scripture; the fullness of the Holy Spirit makes a difference. Will keep you in my prayers.
Dear David…I join with all the other bloggers who are praying for you as you go for chemo. I pray, too, that He will bring the opportunity to share your faith, be it with another person having treatment, or a staff member. May His presence be felt in that place this day, and one or many will be touched by His Spirit through your reflection of Him in your life.
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
David, Catherine, and Mary. May it bless you to know that you are in the prayers of the faithful.