Dave's Diary

Daily Readings for Ascension Day: Acts 1:1-11 and Psalm 47

In John 16:7 Jesus said: “Unless I go away, the Advocate (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” This is why, as Jesus was about to ascend in Acts 1, He again spoke about the fact that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on the disciples very soon: “…In a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit … (and) you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” (v.5 & 8)

Somehow the return of Jesus to the Father’s right hand triggered the release of the Holy Spirit into the lives of believers. Peter made this connection clear in Acts 2:32-33 as he explained the phenomenon of the gift of tongues to an aghast audience, saying: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.  Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”

As it will do for millions in the worldwide Church, I invite you to allow Ascension Day to usher you into a ten day season of deliberately praying for the Lord Jesus to once again grant us a refreshing in the Holy Spirit’s presence and power as we approach this Pentecost (Sunday 5 June 2022). If you live in Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha, join us at 6:30am this morning at Pollock Beach (opposite Something Good) or at 7pm at Church, for services that will deliberately help us to reflect on the Ascension of Jesus and prepare our hearts and minds to encounter Him afresh in the power of the Holy Spirit in the coming days.

Lord Jesus, You ascended to pour out the Holy Spirit. Please pour out the Holy Spirit on me afresh today, and every day of my life. Come Holy Spirit! Come Spirit of Jesus! Fill my life to the brim. Amen.