January 31


“Paul asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’” — Acts 19:2

Paul arrives in Ephesus and meets a group of disciples. They believe in Jesus, but something is missing. When Paul asks if they have received the Holy Spirit, they look at him in confusion. They had been baptized into John’s baptism, a baptism of repentance, but had not yet experienced the fullness of God’s power through the Spirit.

This moment raises an important question: What does it mean to follow Jesus fully?

Many of us, like these disciples, have faith but are still living with a partial understanding of God’s presence in our lives. We believe in Jesus, but are we living in the fullness of His Spirit? Are we walking in the power, love, and transformation that the Spirit brings?

Paul doesn’t condemn these disciples for what they lack, he invites them into something more. He baptizes them in the name of Jesus, and as he lays hands on them, the Holy Spirit fills them. They begin speaking in tongues and prophesying, outward signs of an inward transformation.

The Spirit is not an optional part of faith. The Spirit is the very presence of God within us, guiding us, empowering us, and shaping us into the image of Christ. If we try to follow Jesus without the Spirit, we are running on empty.

So today, Paul’s question comes to us as well:

Have you received the Holy Spirit?

Not just believed in the Spirit, but welcomed the Spirit’s work in your life?

  • Have you invited the Spirit into your decisions?
  • Have you allowed the Spirit to convict and transform you?
  • Have you surrendered control so the Spirit can lead you?

If you feel like your faith has been dry or routine, maybe it’s time to pray:

"Holy Spirit, I welcome You. Fill me. Lead me. Transform me. I don’t want to follow Jesus halfway, I want to live fully in Your power. Amen."

Reflection:
Where do you need the Spirit’s presence today? How would your faith look different if you walked in the fullness of God’s power?


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