Verse of the Day 6/16

Through the Bible - Nehemiah 4-5, Acts 2:42-3:10   Good morning, In last Friday's devotional we considered Jesus call to Peter in John 21 to "follow me". Joe Stowell wrote in a recent "Daily Bread" devotional that the word "follow" that is used in Mark 8:34 "literally means to be found in the way with Him."   Following Jesus is "the way" to live the Christian life. In John chapter 14 Jesus told His disciples that after He would leave that the Father would send the Helper, the Holy Spirit to teach and bring to remembrance the things He taught.   We are reminded of this in Acts chapter one where we go for today's verse. Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."   NLT Literally, as it is translated in the margin, "Ye shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you." This was said to them to console them. Though they could not know the times which God reserved in his own appointment, yet they should receive the promised Guide and Comforter. The word "power" here refers to the help or aid which the Holy Spirit would grant; of preaching the gospel with great effect; of enduring great trials, etc.  Barnes Notes commentary) Have you considered what the Spirit's functions are, what He accomplishes in our lives? He unifies the body of Christ, the church (Eph. 4:1-16); He gives new life (John 3:5-8); He convicts of sin and enables us to repent and come to faith in Christ (John 16:8); He testifies of Jesus as the Messiah (John 14:26); He guides us into truth (John 16;13); He bears fruit in our life (Gal. 5:22-25); He gives us gifts for ministry (1 Corinthians 12-14); He prays, intercedes for us (Rom. 8:26); He is present in all Christians (Rom. 8:9-11).  Seeing this list you can understand why Jesus refers to Him as the "paraclete" one who comes alongside us as the Counsellor or Encourager (John 15:26).    Do you feel His presence in you?  A lot depends on your mind set, what do you allow to control your thoughts?   Rom 8:5  Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life.( NLT)  But those who live following the Spirit are thinking about the things the Spirit wants them to do. NCV Follow the Spirit's promptings that you may be "found in the way with Him".   In Christ, Mike   Acts 1:4-9 The Holy Spirit Promised 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;  5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."  6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."   NKJV