Unstoppable! 'Mission' — Acts 1:7-11

Friday, January 10, 2025

[Jesus] replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times [for the restoration of the Kingdom], and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!"

— Acts 1:7-11 NLT

Key Thought

Are you a witness to others about what Jesus did in his ministry and what he is doing in your life? That witnessing was the apostles' mission, and Peter, the Lord's lead apostle, reminded each of us that we need to be prepared for the same mission: to be a witness for Jesus (1 Peter 3:15-16). No matter our job, role, or time in life, each of us has a place of influence in the lives of others. Are we using it to be a witness to the grace and power of our Lord Jesus?

Based on Acts 1:8, Luke divided Acts into three sections recounting the disciples' going as Jesus' Witnesses to World.

Section One: Growing into Jesus' Mission
Chaps. 1-9 - Focus City: Jerusalem; Focus Character: Peter.

Section Two: Transitioning to Jesus' Gentile Mission
Chaps. 10-15 - Focus City: Antioch; Focus Characters: Peter, James, Barnabas, and Saul/Paul.

Section Three: Carrying Out Jesus' World Mission
Chaps. 16-28 - Focus Cities: Ephesus & Rome; Focus Character: Paul.

Today's Prayer

Open my eyes, dear Lord, to see the opportunities you place in my path each day to be a blessing to others and to be an influence for Jesus. Holy Spirit, give me discernment and wisdom to know when, and how best, to share my story of what Jesus means to me. Jesus, please use me to influence others toward you so that they will find your grace. I want to be a witness for you, dear Lord. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 1:7-11 NLT — [Jesus] replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times [for the restoration of the Kingdom], and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!"

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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.

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