God's Holy Fire: 'Soon!'

Monday, February 3, 2025

[Jesus said,] "John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon."
— Acts 1:5 MSG

Key Thought

"Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, ..." (Acts 1:4 NLT). These were Jesus' words to his closest followers. Now we understand why. When John the Baptizer came, he spoke of one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:7-8). Soon after Jesus ascended back to heaven, the kingdom of God would break into the world with fresh power. In the kingdom, the Holy Spirit is given to every true follower of Jesus. The early disciples stood on the edge of Pentecost and the beginning of a new movement of God that would sweep up all sorts of people into his kingdom. And we are part of that great movement. We, too, are filled with this same Holy Spirit. Jesus still calls us to live out the good news of God's kingdom in our world by the power of the Holy Spirit... and to do it now!

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for your plan: the call of Abraham, the leadership of Moses, the heart of worship in David, the faithfulness of the prophets - all who worked, led, and spoke through your Spirit and pointed to your great work to redeem the world and create a people who reflect your character and compassion. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, please form us - please form me, those I love, and all of Jesus' disciples - into the people who live your will in the world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

15 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Missing Ingredient!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"On one occasion, while [Jesus] was eating with [the disciples], he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised,..."
The Kingdom of God
Devo: Unstoppable!
"During the forty days after [Jesus] suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was....."
His Power Becomes Our Power
Article by Max Lucado
When we wait on the Holy Spirit, we are anticipating God's power to work through us to God's glory! Max Lucado reminds us to wait on the Holy Spirit to come with power.
Wait!
Article by Max Lucado
If the apostles needed to wait on the Spirit, shouldn't we? Max Lucado reminds us that the Holy Spirit is essential to all we do and are as followers of Jesus, so let's wait on the Spirit to lead us and empower us before launching out too hastily into the unknown.
See All 15 Related Resources about Acts 1:5

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 1:5 MSG — [Jesus said,] "John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, February 3, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Helen Grace Lescheid:
"Our circumstances are not an accurate reflection of God's goodness. Whether life is good or bad, God's goodness, rooted in His character, is the same."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'False Intentions Instead of Open Hearts'
"A few days [after Paul's initial defense,] Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them....."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Ecclesiastes 10:9
"Oppressors may get their will of poor and needy men as easily as they can split logs of wood, but they had better mind, for it is a dangerous..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Galatians 6:2
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations