Living by the Spirit

Proverbs 2, Matthew 2, Acts 3, Acts 4

Theme of today's reading: it is not by our own power that we obey the Father, but it is through the work of the Holy Spirit that He enables us to obey Himself.

In Matthew 2, the three wise men obey the Spirit's leading by not going back to see Herod, and Joseph and Mary obey the Spirit by going to Egypt and then to Nazareth (which fulfilled prophecy, of course).

In Acts 1, Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit will come upon them with POWER and that they will be His witnesses to the immediate region and ultimately, the whole world. In Acts 2-4, Peter and John obey the Spirit by preaching and healing, and more preaching. Remember how fickle Peter was with Christ and contrast that with how he behaves in Acts; this is clearly the work of the Holy Spirit!

And what is it, exactly, that Peter preaches that is so profound? The beautiful, Good News of Jesus Christ:

Acts 3:16-20 (New Living Translation)

16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how
crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very
eyes.
17 “Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to
Jesus was done in ignorance. 18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had
foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of
your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of
refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you
Jesus, your appointed Messiah.

Acts 4:10-12 (New Living Translation)

10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please help me walk in Truth according to your Word. Help me listen to the Holy Spirit and obey! Help me seek your will above all else. Please glorify Yourself through my life. Amen