😊☀️👋🏻 Good morning, friend!

Today, we’re diving into a passage that reminds us of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever felt like something was missing in your spiritual walk, like there’s more to this life of faith than what you’re experiencing? That’s exactly what Paul encountered in today’s story, and his response reveals a powerful truth about life in the Spirit.

Let’s take a closer look.

🙏 HUMBLE

Begin this time pondering the following questions:

1. What are you thankful for today?

2. What burdens, fears, or areas of sin do you need to release to God today?

Now, let’s ask God to help us find HOPE in Him today:

“Lord, open my heart and mind to Your Word today. Help me to see the hope You have for me in these pages. Shine Your light on every truth, and guide me to understand, trust, and apply what You reveal. May Your presence transform my heart and fill me with the hope only You can give. Amen.”

📖 OBSERVE

Now, let’s observe what God has to say in His Word:

Today's Readings:
READ: Acts 19:1-7

Today's Devotional:
Paul’s encounter with the believers in Ephesus is fascinating. When he asks if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, their answer reveals that they had only experienced John’s baptism of repentance. They had turned away from sin but hadn’t yet experienced the fullness of life in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

After explaining the distinction, Paul baptizes them in the name of Jesus, and they receive the Holy Spirit. The transformation is immediate and powerful—they begin speaking in tongues and prophesying, evidence of the Spirit’s presence.

What does this passage teach us about God? It shows us His desire for His people to live in the fullness of His power and presence. God doesn’t just call us to repentance; He calls us into a Spirit-filled life, one marked by boldness, growth, and fruitfulness.

It also teaches us something about ourselves. Like the Ephesian believers, we may sometimes settle for less than what God has for us. It’s easy to go through the motions of faith without experiencing the dynamic, life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. But God invites us into more—into a deeper, Spirit-led relationship with Him.

If you’ve been feeling stagnant in your faith, take heart. God is ready to pour out His Spirit and empower you to live boldly for Him. Ask Him to fill you afresh with His Spirit today, and step into the abundant life He has for you.

Reflection Questions:

1. What stood out to you from these passages?

2. What does this teach us about God, His character, and what He does?

3. What does this teach us about people, including yourself?

💡 PERSONALIZE

Now to make this personal in your life, consider this question:

What is one area where God is encouraging you to grow or change?

📢 MY #HOPEDECLARATION

Create your own declaration of hope today!

“Today I will _______________________ because of Jesus Christ!”

Snap a pic of your #HopeDeclaration and share it on Social Media!

❤️ ENGAGE

1. Who in your life would benefit from hearing what you’ve learned today?

2. What practical way can you use what you’ve learned today to bless or serve someone?

🙏 STOP AND PRAY: 

Take a moment to pray through everything God has revealed and done in your heart today:

1. Thank God for His blessings.

   • Praise Him for what you were thankful for earlier. Reflect on His faithfulness, provision, and the ways He’s been present in your life.

2. Surrender your burdens, fears, and sins to Him.

   • Lay down the stresses or struggles weighing on your heart today. Trust Him to carry what you cannot.

   • Confess any sins, and receive His forgiveness and grace to walk in His ways.

3. Thank Him for what He has revealed today.

   • Praise Him for what you’ve learned about His character and work.

   • Acknowledge what He has shown you about yourself—whether it’s encouragement, conviction, or an area where He’s calling you to grow.

4. Ask for strength and guidance to obey.

   • Pray for His power to live out what He’s taught you today.

   • Surrender your #HopeDeclaration, asking for His Spirit to enable you to live it out in a way that brings Him glory.

5. Pray for boldness to share God’s Word.

   • Ask God to open doors for you to share today’s passage or truth with someone.

   • Pray for courage to engage someone in conversation about God, asking if they are interested in the things of God.

   • If they are, pray for boldness to invite them to study the Bible with you.

   • Ask God for a vision to multiply disciples and for His Spirit to guide you in this mission.

Take your time, and let this be a moment of deep connection with God. Trust Him to fill you with His peace, empower you to obey, and give you boldness to share His truth with others today.

✨ READY TO GO DEEPER?

Take a few moments to reflect on today’s insights and how they apply to your journey. Use your Daily HOPE Journal to capture your thoughts, prayers, and commitments, and watch your relationship with God grow deeper each day.

Don’t have a journal yet? Grab yours here and start your journey.

❤️ SPREAD THE HOPE, GET A DIGITAL JOURNAL!

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💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: 

We’d love to hear from you! To stay committed, reply to this email or head over to the comments section on today’s post to share your #HopeDeclaration. Let’s encourage each other in this journey!

🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 

Want to go deeper? Listen to this week’s True Hope Collective Podcast episode.

⛪️ WHY NOT VISIT US IN PERSON?

We’d love to see you at Mountainside Community Bible Church! Join us for worship and a welcoming community every Sunday at 10 AM. Plan your visit below—we can’t wait to meet you!