“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

Jesus sent His Holy Spirit at Pentecost to empower believers to be witnesses for Christ. Today, we also have the Holy Spirit and access to His power as believers. When we want to accomplish something, we set goals for ourselves and outline strategies or ways that will enable us to accomplish our goals. The same is true with being a witness for Christ. Jesus tells the believers that they will be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. He starts with the city they are in and moves out to farther and farther places.

Applying this pattern of witnessing for Christ in your own lives, consider setting a goal to be a witness to those nearest you, such as family members and then beyond. Being a witness does not mean quoting Scripture – it means living the truth of the Scripture. Sometimes it is more difficult to express the love of Christ to family members than to outsiders, but just as the disciples were challenged to begin in Jerusalem, close to home, we must also begin with home. Jesus was laying a strategy before us – first Jerusalem, then Judea and Samaria. Are you willing to be a witness at home and serve family members first? Are you willing to go beyond the comfort of home and reach out to others? The Lord will lead you by His Holy Spirit and enable you to be His hands and feet on earth.

Heavenly Father,

Sometimes I am a better witness to those outside of my family than to my own family members. Give me patience with my family, seeking their interests above my own. And help me to reach out to others beyond my home to share the love of Christ.

In Jesus’ name, Amen