February 26’s devotional.
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Barry called this the heartbeat of the church. Power precedes proclamation. The Spirit comes first. Witness follows. Jesus did not command the disciples to generate influence. He promised divine enablement. As Barry said plainly, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Ordinary men became bold heralds because God acted first.
Acts of the Apostles 1:8 lays out the pattern of mission. It moves outward. Jerusalem. Judea. Samaria. The ends of the earth. The mission begins where you stand. It extends beyond what feels comfortable. It reaches those unlike you. It stretches to nations you may never see. This is not a suggestion. It is a mandate. The Great Commission continues until Christ returns. Jesus declared, “This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
Barry warned us, “Don’t get stuck looking up. Start moving out and let’s get the gospel done.” The angels asked, “Why do you stand here looking up into the sky?” The same question confronts us. We cannot drift into passive Christianity. The Spirit empowers us not merely to feel assured, but to speak. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He gives courage to timid hearts. Barry testified, “What enabled me to do that wasn’t because I was some great superhuman. It was because of the Holy Spirit.” That is the pattern. Weak vessels. Mighty Spirit. Clear witness.
Begin where you are. Your home is your Jerusalem. Your workplace is your mission field. Use your profession as a platform. Barry used dentistry as a pulpit. You can use boardrooms, classrooms, workshops, and coffee shops. Pray for unreached peoples. Pray for Bible translation. Thousands of languages still lack Scripture. The mission is not complete. Ask yourself honestly: Where is my Jerusalem, and who needs to hear from me this week?
Lord Jesus, You have given us Your Spirit and Your commission. Forgive us for silence. Forgive us for comfort. Fill us with holy courage. Open our mouths to speak of Your cross and resurrection. Use our professions, our homes, and our church for Your glory. Stir our hearts for the nations. Empower us to be faithful witnesses until You return in power and glory. Amen.