Miracles | Midyear Prayer, Fasting, and Consecration (English)Sýnishorn

Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Additional Reading: Mark 16:15–20; Romans 15:18–21; Acts 28:26–30

The kingdom of God is not a physical place or political entity. Rather, it is the spiritual reality of the rule and reign of God that is manifested in the lives of those who have put their faith in Jesus and are living in obedience to Him as their King. The kingdom of God is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy. This can be experienced more and more as people submit themselves to the benevolent rule of the Lord Jesus.

This week, we reflected on how we are called to advance God's kingdom by proclaiming the gospel to those around us. Acts 1:8 shows us the blueprint for how this is to be carried out: the Holy Spirit will come upon believers and empower them to be witnesses of Christ where they were, in the surrounding areas, and even to the end of the earth. This mission and promise are not limited to a select few but are for every believer, regardless of background or status. In the three days of the fast, from Acts 2–9, we saw how God used the apostles, a deacon, and a disciple to proclaim the gospel and perform signs and wonders, which resulted in many coming to Christ.

By the end of the book of Acts, we find that the gospel had indeed spread in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and among the Gentiles. But the mission was far from being completed. There was a lot of hardship, resistance, and even persecution as the believers proclaimed the gospel. Still, nothing could stop the kingdom of God from advancing. In the last verses of Acts, even while Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he continued proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus with all boldness and without hindrance.

Many say that the Book of Acts is open-ended. Indeed, the story continues today as believers, empowered by the Spirit, continue to proclaim the gospel of God’s kingdom and make disciples in our locality, neighboring areas, and among the nations. Therefore, let us all seek to advance God’s kingdom through the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel as we live in obedience to Christ. As we partner with the Spirit, the kingdom will continue to grow and expand, bringing salvation, healing, and transformation to all who believe until God’s kingdom fully comes, and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

• Spend some time in prayer, asking God to reveal to you ways that you can advance His kingdom in your daily life—on your campus, in your workplace, at home, in your church, and the community and nation.
• Write down the names of five people in your life who need to hear the gospel. Commit to praying for them and looking for opportunities to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel to them. Identify and list how you can demonstrate Christ’s love specifically to them.
• Memorize Acts 1:8 and use it as a reminder of your role in advancing God's kingdom.

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to partner with You in advancing Your kingdom throughout the world. May I look beyond my limitations and weaknesses. May I look to Your Spirit’s presence in me and Your divine power that has granted me all things that pertain to the life and work to which You have called me. Enable me to have the faith and boldness to proclaim the gospel of Your kingdom and to demonstrate it in powerful and practical ways that people around me could witness. May this lead to many regarding Your Name as holy. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.