God's Holy Fire: 'They Prospered Wonderfully'

Thursday, May 30, 2024

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.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, May 30, 2024

A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"Every one that hangs about the court does not speak to the king."
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"[Jesus continued teaching the crowd,] "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your..."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, invisible but absolutely real, May I be compelled by the love of Christ, convinced that he died that I might no longer live for myself....."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"Jesus said, "The things that are impossible for people to do are possible for God to do.""

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 9:30-31 MESSAGE —  They prospered wonderfully.

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.