“In Between Normals”: A 30 Day Devotion on the Book of Acts预览

Leave Behind the Old

“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” asked the disciples. (1:6)

"Restore"? Yes. The good old days. For years, the Jews were hoping for a better tomorrow, a nation like that of King David. The disciples wanted Jesus to fulfil that hope, now! "At this time!" Back to the glorious good "old normal." God, however, has an "even better" tomorrow in mind, one that the disciples could never imagine. It takes time for God to reveal that plan, plus an even longer time for them to understand.

Meanwhile, the disciples continued to live under their old assumptions. Earlier, Apostle Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him for His “wrong” understanding of what should or should not happen to the Messiah! (Matthew 16:22) "Jesus, you are wrong! If you are truly the Messiah, you should..."

Let's be honest. You and I are not that different from Peter. When things don't go our way, we issue our complaints. "God, if you are truly God, why didn't you...?"

So, what's going on in our hearts? Perhaps these "complaints" are just our way of saying, "God, I am hurting, can you help me?" It is a cry for help. Like the disciples, God has an "even better" tomorrow for us, but it takes time for Him to unfold the plan, plus an even longer time for us to understand.

So, how does God help us? First, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit to give us "power" to achieve God's purpose. (1:8) The Holy Spirit has another fascinating name - "the Advocate". (John 14:26) So, what does “Advocate” mean?

Advocate. noun.

Greek: Parakletos: one who walks alongside.

The Holy Spirit is like a coach, walking alongside us as we navigate through the ups and downs of “in between normals”!

Second, He gives us friends to journey together. We call this "spiritual community." Look at the early disciples. "They all joined together constantly in prayer." (1:14) Look! Together, constantly, praying.

My friend, it's time to leave behind the old. Let the Holy Spirit renew your mind so that you will know what the will of God is. (Romans 12:1-2) Position yourself in a spiritual community so that other fellow believers can journey with you. Don’t do it alone.

Reflection:

What are some old/wrong assumptions about God that you should leave behind today?