Unstoppable! 'Friends of God Seeking Truth' — Acts 1:1-2

Saturday, January 3, 2026

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
— Acts 1:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

Theophilus? Since Luke and Acts were written for him, shouldn't we know something about him? Most scholars believe he was a wealthy person interested in the story of Jesus - he may have even paid to have Luke and Acts written and circulated. He had a heart for God but needed to know that the story of Jesus was true and that the Christian movement wasn't subversive. Theophilus means “lover of God,” or even more accurately, "friend of God"! We meet all sorts of people like him in Acts. The meaning of his name alerts us that Acts was written not only for him but also for any of us who wants to be a friend of God.

Today's Prayer

Loving Father, the eternal and everlasting God, I offer you my heartfelt thanks for inviting me into a tender relationship with you through your grace. You know me. You know my weaknesses and vulnerabilities. You know my strengths and gifts. You know my heartfelt desire to be your friend - to love and honor you with my time, attention, service, and genuine affection. As I read the book of Acts, please open my eyes so that I will know and appreciate you more completely. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

18 Related Resources by Heartlight

Authority from the Spirit
Devo: Unstoppable!
"In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen...."
Instructed & Empowered by the Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[Luke wrote,] In my [gospel] I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his..."
Jesus at Work Through His People
Devo: Unstoppable!
"In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen...."
New, but Connected
Devo: Unstoppable!
"In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen...."
See All 18 Related Resources about Acts 1:1-2

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 1:1-2 NLT — In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, January 3, 2026

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'No Match!' (Ac. 6:10)
"None of [the people arguing with Stephen] could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Feared Above All Gods' (1 Ch. 16:25-27)
"Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Song of Songs 1:16
"From every point our Well-beloved is most fair. Our various experiences are meant by our heavenly Father to furnish fresh standpoints from which we..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God, You Are My Hiding Place!' (Ps. 32:7-8)
"For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best..."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!