Jan
27
Acts 2:22–28
22“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ Focused Thinking: Who is Peter speaking to? Men of Israel: He is speaking to Jews about the promised Messiah. Jesus...
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20
Acts 2:1–4
1When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Focused Thinking: “…they were all together in one place.” They were regrouping together. They were planning and praying together. They were waiting and anticipating together. Personal Application: We need to lean into M28. M28 will be our 120 before the day of Pentecost. M28 will be our 120 before the day of Revival and Spiritual Awakening. We need to believe in the power of advanced discipleship training. We need to believe in the power of a few. We need to believe in the power of leaders leading. Focused Thinking: 2“And suddenly...
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19
Acts 1:15–26
15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18(Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20“For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 21So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from the...
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18
Acts 1:9–11
9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Focused Thinking: “And when He had said these things,” After He gave us His mission, He departed and sent the Holy Spirit. After He told us we will receive power when the HS has come upon us. After He told us to be His Witnesses. After He told us to be His Witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. “as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” The ascension is only recorded by Luke here, Acts 1:2, and Luke 24:51. The ascension is implied in John 20:17. 1 Tim 3:16...
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17
Prayer from January 1st
Father, today is the first day of 2011, and I want it to be completely different than 2010. Father, I want to live each and everyday fully surrendered to You. I want to live with a greater sensitivity and appreciation for the Holy Spirit. I want to truly devote myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word. I’m going to quit saying “I want to,” I am going to “devote myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” Father, give me the ability to 100% surrendered to You. Father, give me the ability to trust You like never before. Father, increase my faith and help my unbelief. Father, give me the confidence that comes from walking with You. Father, forgive me for the tug of war for control in 2010. Forgive me for worrying too much. Give me the ability to spend my time doing the most important things and to trust that everything else will fall into place. Father, I truly repent of not depending on You enough. Father, I repent of depending...
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11
Acts 1:1–8
1The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8but you will receive power when...
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