Reading Acts 3-4 today, I was noticing the power that the Holy Spirit gave to the apostles. At every turn, it glorifies God. When they healed the crippled man, the result was many people believing in Jesus, and praising God for the work He had done. When they spoke courageously, even confronting the religious leaders by the power of the Holy Spirit, chapter 4, verse 13 says, "...they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." What's our motivation in the things that we do? Is it to make a name for ourselves, to satisfy our desire for purpose? Is it to make our lives easier, to satisfy our desire for comfort? Or do we, as the apostles, recognize that our desires are satisfied and our needs are met by God, and seek to glorify His name, and advance His kingdom? You can see their motivation in their prayer, and God's response in Acts 4:29-31, " 'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. / Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.' / After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." I want to be motivated by God's glory, to be effective in what I do for His kingdom, to speak His word boldly and see the results of His work.
Dear God, let Your Spirit fill me, and align my desires and choices with Yours. May I keep Your glory foremost in my mind, and do the work You set for me, with the power that You give. Thank you for giving Your Spirit, and Your help, to me so that I don't have to do this all on my own. Be glorified in my words and actions. I trust that You will fulfill Your promises at the right time, and in the meantime will equip me to do what You've called me to. Take the best I have to give, as small as it may be, and make something beautiful out of it, for that is Your way. Amen.
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