The Holy Spirit empowers Christians in their walk with the Lord. First and foremost, He empowers us to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ, giving us boldness to testify about Him in situations where we would normally be fearful or timid. The Holy Spirit also empowers us to live a godly life. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, there is less of us— of our wants, our desires, our sins, and our influences. When we rely on our own power to walk the Christian life instead of being empowered by the Holy Spirit, the enemy can knock us down and defeat us with things like guilt, bitterness, fear, doubts, busyness, pride, greed, and more. But praise God, we do not have to live in defeat, but instead we can live victoriously through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the living God.

Day 1 Acts 4:1-13

Reflect: What was behind the question in verse 7? What was the reaction of the council to Peter’s bold response? Why did his answer surprise them? What did they notice about Peter and John?

Apply: What do you think it means for you today, to be bold in the name of the Lord? When has the Lord given you the opportunity and ability to speak boldly in His name?

Pray: Father, thank You for the bold witness of the disciples. May I live, work and walk in spirit and truth, continuously filled with Your power and grace for Your greater purposes.

Day 2 Acts 4:23-35

Reflect: What all did the believers request of God and why? What impresses you most about the prayer surrounding this event? How was this experience different than Pentecost?

Apply: What would it look like in your life “to believe with boldness”? What is the boldest thing you have ever asked for from the Lord? What happened? What will you ask Him for today?

Pray: Father, help me to stand fast on Your mighty promises and boldly proclaim the glorious gospel of grace, trusting in You implicitly and depending upon You in all things.

Day 3 Acts 7:54-8:8

Reflect: How do you observe the power of the Holy Spirit at work? What resulted from these experiences? How would you describe these Christ followers?

Apply: When and how have you experienced spiritual battle as you walked in obedience to the Holy Spirit? What do you need from the Holy Spirit in order to be more obedient?

Pray: Lord, thank You that when I am willing to surrender and follow Your Word, the Holy Spirit will move freely in my heart, and I can experience freedom and joy in my life! Fill me with Your Spirit and keep the vision of Your heavenly glory before me.

Day 4 Acts 9:10-22

Reflect: How would you describe Ananias? How did God show grace and kindness to Ananias?

Why was it necessary? What did the Holy Spirit do for Ananias and Saul?

Apply: What happens when we resist doing what God wants? How has the Lord persuaded you to do something you did not want to do? How has the Holy Spirit opened your eyes?

Pray: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have served in my own strength instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me. Build up Your Church in the fear of the Lord, that we would know the power of the Holy Spirit as we grow in grace and mature in the faith.                         

Day 5 Acts 11:19-30

Reflect: For what reason was Barnabas sent to Antioch—what was the Holy Spirit up to? Why do you think he was the right person to send? Why was it at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians?

Apply: When have you seen God take something tragic and use it for good? Who do you know that is “full of the Spirit”? How do know this?

Pray: Jesus, I know that your Spirit is powerful and can work through AHUMC the same way it worked through the Antioch church. Give us confidence, not in our own abilities, but in You as the Almighty God who has sent us Your Spirit.

Put it into Practice

Week 3: The Spirit of Empowerment

Pray for the Holy Spirit to empower you to do one act of loving kindness in Jesus’ name this week. Share with the person that it is Jesus’ love for them flowing through you— to Him be the glory!