Day 1
“But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.” After he said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Just think of it—your favorite teacher calls a class meeting. He or she says, “This is the last time you will ever see me. I’m leaving for heaven in a matter of minutes. Before I go, I have one last thing to say to you.” You listen intently. Nothing else matters at this moment. How long will you remember your teacher’s last words to you? Probably until the day you die.
That’s what’s happening here. Jesus leaves his followers with this final word. He tells them that the Holy Spirit is coming after him. The Holy Spirit is coming after him. The Holy Spirit is going to give them power. He’ll give them the strength they need to do everything Jesus wants them to do.
As a Christian, you have that same power. The Holy Spirit lives inside of you to give you the power you need to do everything Jesus wants you to do. One thing you know is that he wants you to go out and spread the Good News about his love and forgiveness. He’s the power for shaky voices, weak knees, butterflies in your stomach. He’s the giver of abundant life, the supplier of words, the revealer of truth, and the protector of courageous hearts. He’s the One who always loves you and will never leave you. He gives you comfort and good advice. He gives you the power to know what to do in every situation. That’s power!
Day 2
(Judas bought a field with the money he got for his evil act. But he fell to his death, his body burst open, and all his intestines poured out. Everyone in Jerusalem learned about this so they named this place Akeldama. In their language
Akeldama means “Field of Blood.”) Acts 1:18-19
Mike started telling his friends that he didn’t have anything to live for. Nothing was fun to him anymore. He wanted to say in bed all day. He talked a lot about a girl from school who had killed herself. He was so serious all the time. He began to give some of his clothes and stuff away. He withdrew from everybody. He didn’t want to go out or to ball games. He seemed depressed. His family thought it was a phase and overlooked it. His friends thought he needed some space and left him alone. He died in his parents’ car in their garage one afternoon after school. The note he left said he was just too lonely. Life was too hard. No one seemed to care.
If your friend mentions suicide, talks about not having anything to live for, distances himself/herself from everyone, or shows another suspicious behavior, take that person seriously. Always take suicide threats seriously. Your friend needs help—quick. Talk to his or her parents, your pastor, a teacher, or counselor until you find someone who cares about your friend and is willing to help. Your job as a friend is to get qualified help. Don’t try to handle this one alone. Whatever you do, believe that your friend is hurting, pray for him or her and for wisdom, and get help immediately.
Day 3
…and when he found Saul, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year Saul and Barnabas met with the church and taught many people there. In Antioch the followers were called Christians for the first time. Acts 11:26
After Jesus returned to heaven, the apostles and other followers became known as Christians. It literally means “belonging to the party of Jesus.” At a restaurant, you may wait with a group until the host calls “table for the Smith party.” Everyone who is with your group gets up to be seated. Each one of you is different, but you all belong together. You are recognized as a distinct group. Your party is separate from all the other people in the restaurant. In Antioch, the followers of Christ had become recognized as separate group of people who belonged together. Followers today are still called Christians, meaning that we belong with all the others who believe in Christ. It is a high privilege to carry the banner of Christ along with those who have gone before us.
Day 4
They were all worshiping the Lord and giving up eating for a certain time. During this time the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do a special work for which I have chosen them.” Acts 13:2
In the Book of Acts, we see the followers looking to the Lord for instruction and guidance. They needed direction about how to spread the message of Christ. In this passage, the Holy Spirit speaks to them about sending out Barnabas and Saul. The Lord still gives clear instruction and direction to believers. The Holy Spirit still guides us through the will of God. The church in Acts worshiped, fasted, and waited for God to give instruction. They actively sought the Lord about what to do. Do you actively seek the Lord about the direction of your life and activities? We must follow the example of the apostles and pursue him. We hear from God when we listen for him to speak. If you want God to speak to you, then spend time with him, worshiping, fasting, and praying. If you will be faithful to listen, then he will speak.
Day 5
He brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all the people in your house.” Acts 16:30-31
Tommy thought that since his family went to church every Sunday and he knew the words to the hymns that he must be saved. Alexa goes to a church where they don’t talk about being saved. She’s heard other people talk about it, but she’s confused. Every night she begs God to take her to heaven if she dies in her sleep. Every time she thinks about this “saved” thing, she gets scared. No one has ever explained it to her, and she’s too proud to ask. Joey heard from a friend that God loves everybody, and that God would let everyone into heaven. Sounds great.
Tommy, Alexa, and Joey aren’t saved. Here’s the answer for them and for you: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” When you decide that you believe in God and in his Son, Jesus, and in the fact that Jesus died on a cross for you, then you are saved from an eternity away from God. That’s salvation. Your faith in Jesus saves you.
Are you unsure of your salvation? Then nail it down once and for all. Tell the Lord that you love him, that you believe that Jesus died for you, and that you want him to be in charge of your life.
Day 6
Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ,… Romans 5:1
Now that you are a believer, the battle for your spirit is over. You chose the path of victory when you chose Jesus. When you trusted him, God gave you peace. Are you enjoying the peace you have, or are you trying to fight a battle that’s already been won? God wants to come into your life and bring calm to the chaos. He wants you to let him be the light that shatters your darkest storm. A lot of people give their hearts to Jesus and then keep on fighting the same old way they used to. With the peace of God, you can let go of some of your anxiety about grades, college, finances, family, whatever. Do everything you know to do and trust God. You don’t have to manipulate decisions and worry about things you can’t see. You don’t have to go through life by yourself anymore. Rest in the peace God brings. Maybe, if we could hear him, he would be saying, “Stop fighting that battle. I’ve already done that for you. Be still. Rest. Open your eyes. My love for you has cast out all fear. Look at what I’ve done. Stop wringing your hands in worry. I love you. I want you to experience the peace I’ve given you.”
Day 7
The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. Romans 8:14
When you put your faith in God’s Son, his Spirit became part of your life. God knew that you would need his Spirit to help you live the way he wants you to live. People who haven’t trusted Jesus don’t have God’s Spirit. They have no choice but to live life to please themselves or to get on the good side of other people. But you don’t have to live that way. You can let God’s Spirit choose the road you’re going to take. Living that way pleases God. And it has a fringe benefit for you too. “If people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace” (8:6).
In order for your mind to be ruled by his Spirit, you’ve got to stay tight with God. Spend time in prayer, in worship, and in his Word. Really work these things into your life—so much that they become a part of you. Then you’ll know when the Spirit is leading you, and you’ll be able to follow.
http://www.fvbaptist.org/stomp/article.php/20080114072515586