Acts 1:4 "(Jesus) gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised.'"

Before He ascended into heaven Jesus told His disciples to wait for "the gift My Father promised." The promise is from the Father, given through the Son. But the promise itself is the Holy Spirit.

The initial act of the Holy Spirit is to lead us to accept our total loss in sin and our complete redemption in Christ.

But there is more. As executor of Christ's estate, the Holy Spirit wants us to have and hold the magnificent riches of that estate. Jesus said, "The Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you" (John 16:15).

The Holy Spirit gives us power to live in faith, in love, in joy, in peace, in hope, in triumph over sin and death and hell.

He gives us power to stand firm, to remain in conversation with Christ, to hold our ground against Satan, to put up a good fight, to endure hardship, to be faithful unto death, to march joyfully toward the splendid glory.

Through the Holy Spirit we are God's special agents, fit to be used by Him as instruments of His love and grace. In this way we glorify God and serve one another.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, give us power to be true to Christ and to proclaim His Gospel of redemption everywhere in the world. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 15-16    Mark 8:22-38

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