Summer Devotional:
​No Other Name - A Devotional on the Book of Acts

Day 2 – June 8th, 2021
Read Acts 1:6-11

Helpful Background
Early in Acts, Luke sets out a geographic outline for the narrative, in the words of Jesus; “and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
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The early followers of Christ are told to wait in Jerusalem until they are given the Holy Spirit, and then God will begin to build His Church. He will use the efforts of the apostles, as well as other faithful followers of Christ, first in Jerusalem, then in Judea & Samaria, and then to all of the known world. 

​Questions - In Acts 1:8, Jesus used geography to explain how the good news would travel outward. (From the center in Jerusalem, to the nearby areas of Judea and then Samaria, and then to all parts of the world.)  How can we also apply this principle to our situation? From me, to my family/friends, to my workplace/neighborhood/community, to beyond my circle of influence.

Grab your journal or use the notes section on your phone.
Respond to the Scripture reading with your thoughts, questions, and/or prayer response to today’s Bible verses.​

Who was instrumental in your life in helping you to meet and/or follow Jesus? 
I went to the Methodist church downtown as a child. This church was also the church my Mother grew up in. My family was a “CEO” family with the church. Christmas and Easter Only! Lots of Easter pictures of us kids in our Easter outfits. But I felt a longing for the church and wanted to go more often so Mom would bring me and pick me up.  Not once in my years of attending Sunday school, do I recall anyone telling me about Jesus. His picture was on the wall but that is not what Sunday school was about. I always felt I was missing something. When I was 15, my Grandfather took me aside and wanted to get me something special for Christmas just from him, and what would I like. I told him I wanted a cross which I still have.
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I would go to different churches with family & friends over the years - Mormon, Baptist but still did not find Christ or the missing piece I was searching for. Fast forward to adulthood and my boyfriend/husband was a total non-believer. He declared he was an atheist, but I still knew there was something more.  In my early thirties, I was on the phone with a family friend and was talking with her about using their cabin at Twain Hart for a week with my parents.  All I remember was her asking me if I had Jesus Christ in my life.  I was sitting on the floor of our bedroom, and I told her no but I thought I wanted to.  She led me to Christ that night.  She came to Christ at a Billy Graham event, so I would tell people I was just one step removed from coming to Christ by Billy Graham.  We had a wonderful week at her cabin but my life was forever changed after that night.
-Shared by Lynn D.

The disciples were told to wait and if you have read the book of Acts before, you know some amazing events are about to occur. (If not, stay tuned!) Are you currently in a waiting period? Check out this song "Wait on You" on YouTube. It's a great song of reflection & encouragement as we are waiting on the Lord.

For more background information & study questions on the Book of Acts, check out Brian Ralston's handouts here.