Devotionals by Raul Ries

MONDAY April 6, 2026

Empowered Witnesses

“But you [Christ’s disciples and followers] shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

After the Resurrection, Christ appeared to His disciples. He remained with them for 40 days before He ascended into a cloud out of their sight (Acts 1:3, 9). Jesus spoke to them about receiving power from the Holy Spirit who would come upon them. The Spirit of God would cause His disciples to become mighty witnesses, beginning in the city of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and continuing to the end of the earth.

The word power in the Greek language is dunamis, which means “miraculous power, strength, might, energy or ability to do marvelous works.” It is a supernatural power given to believers. We need to have the power of the Holy Spirit if we are to be Jesus’ witnesses and continue His work all across America and the world. God may call you to be an empowered missionary who will take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Unfortunately, many Christians are not very good witnesses. They live defeated lives that are very inconsistent to their faith. Where is their reliance on the Holy Spirit? It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that believers can become victorious over sin. It is God’s Spirit that enables us to live the Christian life. Pray that God ...would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man... (Ephesians 3:16), to become a good witness.

Did you know that Christians today are considered to be people of the book of Acts? You see, the book of Acts does not have an “Amen” at the end; the work of the Gospel continues with each one of us. Until the time of Jesus’ coming, we are to go out into this world and be His witnesses.

Share the Gospel. According to the Bible, it is every believer’s privilege and responsibility to share the Gospel. If we understand what lies ahead for those who do not know Christ, there will be a sense of urgency in our witness.
~David Jeremiah~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!