March 28th, 2026 Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS

GIFTS

Acts 1:4-5 “On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

A gift is something given without payment.  Associated with gifts is the generosity of the one who gives the gift.  Gifts received are usually beneficial to the recipient.  Gifts received most times bring joy and happiness to the recipient.

In today’s devotional verses Jesus calls attention to a promised gift.  His Father had promised this gift.  That promise is recorded in Joel 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”  Jesus had already “breathed into His disciples the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)  Jesus brought Joel’s promise forth into the ears and hearts of His disciples to make them conscience of the fact that they would receive yet another, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to aid them in their life of discipleship. John the Baptist had promised this at the time He baptized Jesus in the wilderness. (Matthew 3:11)

You first received the Holy Spirit at the time of your baptism.  Your baptism included not only the pouring of water upon you, but also the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  John wrote, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) And, St. Paul wrote, “He saved us. . . by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”  (Titus 3:5)

As Jesus promised a further outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His disciples to empower them in their making of disciples (Matthew 28:18-20) so you also are given the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in your daily life of discipleship.

Prayer:  As You have promised, dear Jesus, please pour out upon me the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me in my faith in You and my life of witness about You.  In Your holy name.  Amen.

Holy Spirit, light divine, 
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn the darkness into day.

Let me see my Savior’s face,
Let me all His beauties trace;
Show those glorious truths to me
Which are only known to Thee.

Holy spirit, pow’r divine, 
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
In Thy mercy pity me, 
From sin’s bondage set me free.

Holy Spirit, joy divine,
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Yield a sacred, settled peace,
Let it grow and still increase.

Holy Spirit, all divine, 
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down ev’ry idol throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.

Holy Spirit, Light Divine // LSB 496

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