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Unstoppable! 'Jesus at Work Through His People' — Acts 1:1-2 Monday, January 1, 2024 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 Don't you find the simple words "everything Jesus began to do" intriguing? Take them with you as we journey through the book of Acts* this year. Jesus' earthly ministry was just the beginning. He didn't quit when he ascended to the right hand of the Father. He promised to empower his disciples through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; John 14:16-17; Luke 24:49), and he did. He told them that they would do even greater things than he had done (John 14:12), and they did. The Lord's presence made them unstoppable. He longs to do the same through us, today. * Here is our approach to Luke's outline: Acts: Jesus' Spirit-Empowered Witnesses to the World (Acts 1:8) Growing into Mission 1.8: chaps. 1-9 — (Focus on Jerusalem) {Time of Peter} Deciding for Mission 1.8: chaps. 10-15 — (Focus on Antioch) {Time of Transition} Carrying out Mission 1.8: chaps. 16-28 — (Focus on Ephesus & Rome) {Time of Paul} TODAY'S PRAYER O Father, forgive us. We so often forget that Jesus is still at work. We plan and act as if his work is up to only us and our efforts. We give up so easily because we don't trust the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to enable us. Open our hearts to the Spirit's power to do more than we can ask or imagine. Stir us to see Jesus at work guiding our movements and opening doors for us to share his message. Lord Jesus, enable us to experience your presence so that we will be bold and unstoppable in sharing your message. We ask for these blessings for your glory and not our own. Amen. RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS Luke 24:44-53 Ephesians 3:20-21