When [Paul's] friends learned of the plot
[to kill him], they got him
out of [Jerusalem], took him to Caesarea, and then shipped him off to Tarsus. Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country — Judea, Samaria, Galilee — the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully.
— Acts 9:30-31 MESSAGE
Key Thought
I love the sentence, "They prospered wonderfully." This statement does not mean they were all healthy, wealthy, and wise. In the Holy Spirit sense, "prosper" means calm, smooth sailing, unity, strength, deep reverence, spiritual growth, and numerical growth. I don't know many places that actually demonstrate the Spirit in this way, but I do know that this possibility gives me hope.
Today's Prayer
O Father, please help us prosper in the ways you want us to prosper. May our prospering bring you honor and glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Illustration
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.
Comments