Anchor Devotional

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Joy and the Holy Spirit

“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52

When I was a child and would disobey, I was told that what I had done was not something Jesus would do. I knew I should act more like Jesus, but it was so hard! The struggle followed me for years until I gave up trying to be like Him altogether.

Praise God, He showed me in time that we do not have to be strong in and of ourselves to follow Him. Even the weakest can come to Christ. While our obedience is, of course, very important, we rest assured that He looks at our hearts. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, despite opposition, difficulty, and their own doubts. When we follow Him, He fills us the same way.

We who know Jesus as our Savior are not crushed under the weight of our sins. Jesus was crushed in our place; Jesus bore the burden of our sins for us. With His perfect life and conquering death, He has become our source of life. Do we still struggle with sin? Yes, we always will this side of heaven. But God offers to fill us with His Spirit, making Christ available to all, no matter how weak or how strong we are.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Acts 13:44-52

INSIGHT
Lord, we turn to You to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Thank You for providing us with what we need for life: You! Amen

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Kings 6-7
Proverbs 2
Philemon

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