(The following is the May 6 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Acts 1 and pay close attention to verses 4-8.)

Christians have the daunting task of being Christ’s witnesses locally, nationally, and internationally. Jesus described it as “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (v. 8). Not everyone participates in multiple geographical efforts; the church collectively works to accomplish the mission. But even with modern global communications and transportation, this is an enormous task today. How much more would it have seemed to those hearing Jesus’ words in the first century?

There are nearly 200 countries today and more than 7,000 languages. * How can Christ’s followers reach all of them? Where do we begin, and how do we organize? Did the original mission recipients have the same questions we have about how to accomplish it?

The first part of verse 8 has the secret: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you.” The apostles could not reach the world using their human wisdom and expertise. God would fill them with his Spirit, and they could execute their mission through the Spirit’s leadership. So it is with us.

This indwelling is vital for us to remember as Christ’s servants. We do not advance the gospel by bringing to God something he lacks. He lacks nothing. God chooses to accomplish his purpose of proclaiming the gospel to the world through his people, and he empowers his children to do so through the presence, guidance, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We have no cause to feel proud and boastful about what we do for God’s kingdom because we can trace all lasting impact for Christ back to the work of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word.  

Next Step:
When have you experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit? Are there times when you are not the witness you should be? Why does that happen? Pray regularly for the Holy Spirit to teach, strengthen, and guide you.

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* “How Many Languages Are in the World? The Number May Surprise You (2021),” The Intrepid Guide, January 1, 2020, https://www.theintrepidguide.com/how-many-languages-are-there-in-the-world.