Daily Devotional April 28th - May 2nd
5-Day Devotional: The Mission.
Monday: From Revelation to Commission
Reading: Luke 24:44–48 (ESV)
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.”
Devotional:
In a quiet moment after the resurrection, Jesus gathers His disciples and does something remarkable—He opens their minds to understand the Scriptures. He shows them that everything from the Law of Moses to the Prophets and Psalms pointed to Him: His suffering, His resurrection, and the call to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations. This was not just an academic lesson; it was a commissioning moment.
For us today, this reminds us that God doesn’t reveal truth just to inform us—but to transform us and to send us. When God opens our eyes to His Word, He also opens our lives to His mission. We’re not simply called to be students of Scripture—we’re called to be witnesses of Jesus. Ask yourself: Where is God asking you to move from understanding to action? From knowing to proclaiming?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for opening my eyes to the truth of who You are. Help me to never take lightly the gift of revelation. Move me beyond just receiving Your Word—make me a bold and loving witness of Your Gospel. Show me today where I can speak truth and show love. I want to live not just as a hearer, but as a doer of Your Word. Amen.
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Tuesday: The Power of the Holy Spirit
Reading: Acts 1:4–8 (ESV)
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Devotional:
Before His ascension, Jesus gives His disciples a command that feels counterintuitive: wait. Don’t move forward in your own strength. Don’t rush the mission. Instead, wait for the promise of the Father—the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that what lay ahead would require more than good intentions or theological clarity. It would require power.
And that same truth applies to us. We often try to fulfill God's calling through our own wisdom, talent, or drive—but the mission of Jesus is supernatural, and it demands supernatural strength. The Holy Spirit isn’t a luxury for Christian living; He is the source of it. Wait on Him today. Welcome Him. Be filled again. You are not alone in your calling—you are clothed with power from on high.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I need You. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to do life or ministry without Your help. Today, I wait on You. Fill me afresh. Empower me with boldness, wisdom, and love. Help me to rely on Your presence in every decision, conversation, and opportunity You place before me. I want to walk by the Spirit, not by my own strength. Amen.
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Wednesday: From Presence to Purpose
Reading: Acts 1:9–11 (ESV)
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 and 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.”
Devotional:
The disciples stood in awe as Jesus ascended into heaven, and who could blame them? It was a sacred, breathtaking moment. But the angels’ question snapped them back to purpose: “Why do you stand looking into heaven?” This wasn’t a time to stand still—it was time to step into mission.
We all have moments of spiritual wonder—times in worship, prayer, or breakthrough when God feels especially close. But if we’re not careful, we can become people who stare at the sky rather than step into the streets. The presence of Jesus is never meant to lead to passivity—it’s meant to propel us into purpose. Where is God calling you to move forward today? Who needs the hope you’ve received?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for every moment of closeness, clarity, and joy in Your presence. But don’t let me settle there. Help me carry Your presence with me into the world—to my family, my neighborhood, my workplace. Give me eyes to see the needs around me and the courage to respond. Let my worship lead to witness, and my encounter lead to action. Amen.
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Thursday: The Table and the Mission
Reading: John 14:15–21 (ESV)
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Devotional:
In the Upper Room, Jesus wasn’t just giving comfort before the cross—He was preparing His disciples for a lifetime of communion and commission. He makes it clear that love for Him is inseparable from obedience to Him. And He promises that He will not leave them to fulfill this calling alone—He will give the Holy Spirit to dwell within them.
This passage teaches us a vital rhythm: true intimacy with Jesus leads to obedient living for Jesus. The Table isn’t the final destination—it’s the place where we are filled, equipped, and sent. Time in God’s presence should always lead to transformation and mission. Reflect on this today: How is your intimacy with Jesus shaping the way you live, speak, serve, and obey?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for inviting me to Your table—for communion, comfort, and closeness. But let me never stay there too long without stepping out in obedience. Teach me to love You not only with emotion but with my life. Send Your Holy Spirit to empower me and guide me. Let my worship fuel my witness, and my devotion produce action. Amen.
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Friday: Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth
Reading: Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV)
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Devotional:
This final moment between Jesus and His disciples on a Galilean mountain is one of commissioning, confidence, and clarity. The mission is global: go and make disciples of all nations. The message is clear: teach them everything I’ve taught you. The motivation is comforting: “I am with you always.”
These words echo across generations and reach us today. You may not be called to cross an ocean, but you are absolutely called to cross a street, a room, or a divide in your community. You are not just a Christian—you are a witness. And wherever God places you, that’s your mission field. Step into that space today with courage, knowing that the authority of Jesus sends you, and the presence of Jesus sustains you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me into Your mission. I don’t want to live with a passive faith—I want to be part of Your redemptive work in the world. Give me courage to speak when I’m afraid, boldness to act when it’s uncomfortable, and compassion to love like You do. Help me make disciples, starting right where I am. And thank You for Your promise—that You are with me always, even to the end. Amen.
Monday: From Revelation to Commission
Reading: Luke 24:44–48 (ESV)
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.”
Devotional:
In a quiet moment after the resurrection, Jesus gathers His disciples and does something remarkable—He opens their minds to understand the Scriptures. He shows them that everything from the Law of Moses to the Prophets and Psalms pointed to Him: His suffering, His resurrection, and the call to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations. This was not just an academic lesson; it was a commissioning moment.
For us today, this reminds us that God doesn’t reveal truth just to inform us—but to transform us and to send us. When God opens our eyes to His Word, He also opens our lives to His mission. We’re not simply called to be students of Scripture—we’re called to be witnesses of Jesus. Ask yourself: Where is God asking you to move from understanding to action? From knowing to proclaiming?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for opening my eyes to the truth of who You are. Help me to never take lightly the gift of revelation. Move me beyond just receiving Your Word—make me a bold and loving witness of Your Gospel. Show me today where I can speak truth and show love. I want to live not just as a hearer, but as a doer of Your Word. Amen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday: The Power of the Holy Spirit
Reading: Acts 1:4–8 (ESV)
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Devotional:
Before His ascension, Jesus gives His disciples a command that feels counterintuitive: wait. Don’t move forward in your own strength. Don’t rush the mission. Instead, wait for the promise of the Father—the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that what lay ahead would require more than good intentions or theological clarity. It would require power.
And that same truth applies to us. We often try to fulfill God's calling through our own wisdom, talent, or drive—but the mission of Jesus is supernatural, and it demands supernatural strength. The Holy Spirit isn’t a luxury for Christian living; He is the source of it. Wait on Him today. Welcome Him. Be filled again. You are not alone in your calling—you are clothed with power from on high.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I need You. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to do life or ministry without Your help. Today, I wait on You. Fill me afresh. Empower me with boldness, wisdom, and love. Help me to rely on Your presence in every decision, conversation, and opportunity You place before me. I want to walk by the Spirit, not by my own strength. Amen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday: From Presence to Purpose
Reading: Acts 1:9–11 (ESV)
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 and 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.”
Devotional:
The disciples stood in awe as Jesus ascended into heaven, and who could blame them? It was a sacred, breathtaking moment. But the angels’ question snapped them back to purpose: “Why do you stand looking into heaven?” This wasn’t a time to stand still—it was time to step into mission.
We all have moments of spiritual wonder—times in worship, prayer, or breakthrough when God feels especially close. But if we’re not careful, we can become people who stare at the sky rather than step into the streets. The presence of Jesus is never meant to lead to passivity—it’s meant to propel us into purpose. Where is God calling you to move forward today? Who needs the hope you’ve received?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for every moment of closeness, clarity, and joy in Your presence. But don’t let me settle there. Help me carry Your presence with me into the world—to my family, my neighborhood, my workplace. Give me eyes to see the needs around me and the courage to respond. Let my worship lead to witness, and my encounter lead to action. Amen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday: The Table and the Mission
Reading: John 14:15–21 (ESV)
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Devotional:
In the Upper Room, Jesus wasn’t just giving comfort before the cross—He was preparing His disciples for a lifetime of communion and commission. He makes it clear that love for Him is inseparable from obedience to Him. And He promises that He will not leave them to fulfill this calling alone—He will give the Holy Spirit to dwell within them.
This passage teaches us a vital rhythm: true intimacy with Jesus leads to obedient living for Jesus. The Table isn’t the final destination—it’s the place where we are filled, equipped, and sent. Time in God’s presence should always lead to transformation and mission. Reflect on this today: How is your intimacy with Jesus shaping the way you live, speak, serve, and obey?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for inviting me to Your table—for communion, comfort, and closeness. But let me never stay there too long without stepping out in obedience. Teach me to love You not only with emotion but with my life. Send Your Holy Spirit to empower me and guide me. Let my worship fuel my witness, and my devotion produce action. Amen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday: Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth
Reading: Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV)
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Devotional:
This final moment between Jesus and His disciples on a Galilean mountain is one of commissioning, confidence, and clarity. The mission is global: go and make disciples of all nations. The message is clear: teach them everything I’ve taught you. The motivation is comforting: “I am with you always.”
These words echo across generations and reach us today. You may not be called to cross an ocean, but you are absolutely called to cross a street, a room, or a divide in your community. You are not just a Christian—you are a witness. And wherever God places you, that’s your mission field. Step into that space today with courage, knowing that the authority of Jesus sends you, and the presence of Jesus sustains you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me into Your mission. I don’t want to live with a passive faith—I want to be part of Your redemptive work in the world. Give me courage to speak when I’m afraid, boldness to act when it’s uncomfortable, and compassion to love like You do. Help me make disciples, starting right where I am. And thank You for Your promise—that You are with me always, even to the end. Amen.