“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

— Acts 1:8

Here Jesus tells his followers that his purpose in sending the Holy Spirit is to empower them to be his witnesses. They are to bring the good news of his coming kingdom “to the ends of the earth.” Jesus’ witnesses testify to what they have seen, learned, and experienced, describing how the Lord has worked in their life and in this world.

In the book of Acts, as we read about the spread of the good news, we observe Jesus’ followers giving testimony about how they have experienced God working—through healings, answers to prayer, transformed hearts, and changed lives.

As Jesus’ followers, we grow in Christ by the work of the Spirit in our lives, and we become “good news” people. The message of God’s work in our lives and the Bible’s message about God’s grace in Christ become powerful aids in our witness to others. People are drawn to stories about personal experience. Sharing our stories can break down barriers and build bridges to help others know the Lord.

In what ways are you experiencing God’s work in your life, and how will you share that with others?

Ask God’s Spirit to reveal how he is working in you, and to help you see what he is calling you to do. We all need the Spirit to work powerfully in us as his witnesses.

Spirit of God, work in us to shape us into the image of Christ. Guide us to share with others how you are working in our lives. In Jesus, Amen.