May 7th, 2026
by Matthew Spoon
by Matthew Spoon
5-Day Devotional: Purpose in the Preparation
Day 1: Waiting for God's Power
Reading: Acts 1:1-5
Devotional: The disciples stood at a crossroads—resurrection had happened, but the world hadn't changed. Jesus commanded them to wait. Waiting isn't wasted time; it's preparation time. Like a phone that needs charging before it can function, we need the Holy Spirit's power before we can effectively serve. The disciples couldn't manufacture this power themselves—it was a promise from the Father. Today, resist the urge to rush ahead in your own strength. Ask yourself: Am I trying to do God's work without God's power? Spend ten minutes in silence this morning, yielding to the Holy Spirit. Confess areas where you've been running on empty, doing kingdom work in your own ability rather than His power.
Day 2: The Priority of Witnessing
Reading: Acts 1:6-8
Devotional: The disciples asked about political kingdoms; Jesus redirected them to spiritual power. Their priority wasn't debating timelines or political strategies—it was witnessing. You don't need perfect theology to be a witness; you simply share what you've seen and experienced. Who is your Jerusalem—the people right around you? Who is your Samaria—that difficult person you'd rather avoid? Being a witness means telling your story: who you were before Jesus, and who you've become through Him. The Holy Spirit provides dynamite power for this mission. Today, identify one person in your sphere of influence who needs to hear about Jesus. Pray for them by name and ask God for an opportunity to share your testimony.
Day 3: Perspective Beyond the Present
Reading: Acts 1:9-11
Devotional: The disciples could have spent hours gazing into heaven, mesmerized by Jesus's ascension. But the angels gave them a reality check: there's work to be done. We can become so focused on past victories or future promises that we miss our present mission. We're in a relay race, and previous generations have handed us the baton. This is our turn to carry the gospel forward. Heaven will be wonderful, but witnessing is something we can only do on earth. Don't let nostalgia for "the good old days" or speculation about end times distract you from today's opportunities. Examine your life: are you stargazing or mission-focused? Identify one practical step you can take today to advance God's kingdom.
Day 4: Partnership in Prayer
Reading: Acts 1:12-14
Devotional: The disciples returned to the upper room and devoted themselves to prayer—together. They didn't isolate; they formed a prayerful partnership. The church isn't perfect because it's filled with imperfect people being transformed by a perfect God. You will experience church hurt because broken people are messy. But the foundation isn't people—it's Jesus Christ. When you're dealing with difficulty, don't abandon community; seek prayer partners. There's power when believers unite in prayer, reinforcing the spiritual foundation together. Many have testified that in their darkest moments, they felt the prayers of God's people sustaining them. Are you praying alone or in partnership? Join a small group or Sunday school class. Find someone you can pray with regularly about life's challenges.
Day 5: Every Moment Has Purpose
Reading: Zechariah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Devotional: There are no wasted waiting rooms in God's economy. Every season—whether preparation, transition, or grief—has divine purpose. God often does His greatest work when we're too weak to do it ourselves, because that's when His power shines clearest. Paul discovered that weakness became the pathway to strength. The disciples' waiting period wasn't downtime; it was when they found their power, settled their priorities, and solidified their partnerships. Whatever you're going through today, God is using it. The preparation IS the work. Wake up declaring, "Jesus is risen! The God of the universe lives in me through the Holy Spirit!" Reflect on your current season: How might God be preparing you right now? Yield completely to the Holy Spirit today.
Day 1: Waiting for God's Power
Reading: Acts 1:1-5
Devotional: The disciples stood at a crossroads—resurrection had happened, but the world hadn't changed. Jesus commanded them to wait. Waiting isn't wasted time; it's preparation time. Like a phone that needs charging before it can function, we need the Holy Spirit's power before we can effectively serve. The disciples couldn't manufacture this power themselves—it was a promise from the Father. Today, resist the urge to rush ahead in your own strength. Ask yourself: Am I trying to do God's work without God's power? Spend ten minutes in silence this morning, yielding to the Holy Spirit. Confess areas where you've been running on empty, doing kingdom work in your own ability rather than His power.
Day 2: The Priority of Witnessing
Reading: Acts 1:6-8
Devotional: The disciples asked about political kingdoms; Jesus redirected them to spiritual power. Their priority wasn't debating timelines or political strategies—it was witnessing. You don't need perfect theology to be a witness; you simply share what you've seen and experienced. Who is your Jerusalem—the people right around you? Who is your Samaria—that difficult person you'd rather avoid? Being a witness means telling your story: who you were before Jesus, and who you've become through Him. The Holy Spirit provides dynamite power for this mission. Today, identify one person in your sphere of influence who needs to hear about Jesus. Pray for them by name and ask God for an opportunity to share your testimony.
Day 3: Perspective Beyond the Present
Reading: Acts 1:9-11
Devotional: The disciples could have spent hours gazing into heaven, mesmerized by Jesus's ascension. But the angels gave them a reality check: there's work to be done. We can become so focused on past victories or future promises that we miss our present mission. We're in a relay race, and previous generations have handed us the baton. This is our turn to carry the gospel forward. Heaven will be wonderful, but witnessing is something we can only do on earth. Don't let nostalgia for "the good old days" or speculation about end times distract you from today's opportunities. Examine your life: are you stargazing or mission-focused? Identify one practical step you can take today to advance God's kingdom.
Day 4: Partnership in Prayer
Reading: Acts 1:12-14
Devotional: The disciples returned to the upper room and devoted themselves to prayer—together. They didn't isolate; they formed a prayerful partnership. The church isn't perfect because it's filled with imperfect people being transformed by a perfect God. You will experience church hurt because broken people are messy. But the foundation isn't people—it's Jesus Christ. When you're dealing with difficulty, don't abandon community; seek prayer partners. There's power when believers unite in prayer, reinforcing the spiritual foundation together. Many have testified that in their darkest moments, they felt the prayers of God's people sustaining them. Are you praying alone or in partnership? Join a small group or Sunday school class. Find someone you can pray with regularly about life's challenges.
Day 5: Every Moment Has Purpose
Reading: Zechariah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Devotional: There are no wasted waiting rooms in God's economy. Every season—whether preparation, transition, or grief—has divine purpose. God often does His greatest work when we're too weak to do it ourselves, because that's when His power shines clearest. Paul discovered that weakness became the pathway to strength. The disciples' waiting period wasn't downtime; it was when they found their power, settled their priorities, and solidified their partnerships. Whatever you're going through today, God is using it. The preparation IS the work. Wake up declaring, "Jesus is risen! The God of the universe lives in me through the Holy Spirit!" Reflect on your current season: How might God be preparing you right now? Yield completely to the Holy Spirit today.
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