One-Year Bible Reading Plan  : Seekers & New Believers | Mar 31 | Acts Chapter 1: Empowered by the Holy Spirit for a New Mission 

🦌 Opening Today’s Reading 

Dear brothers, sisters, and friends, peace be with you in the Lord!

Welcome to Day 90 of our reading journey! Today marks a special milestone as we complete our reading of the four Gospels and enter the dynamic new chapter of the Book of Acts!

In daily life, do you ever feel inadequate, anxious, or uncertain when taking on a major responsibility or stepping into a new phase of life? Or have you ever wondered how Christians were meant to live and navigate this world after Jesus ascended to heaven?

Let's pause and take a quiet moment. Holding our questions and our anticipation for the future, let's step into today's scripture together. Let's see how the risen Lord Jesus gave a precious promise before His ascension, guiding His disciples from passive waiting to united prayer, receiving fresh power from above.

📖 Context Snapshot 

Where are we today?

Written by Luke, the Book of Acts records the birth of the early church and the spread of the Gospel. Chapter 1 highlights key moments:

1. The Promise and Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:1–11): The risen Lord appears to His disciples over forty days, promising that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. He ascends to heaven as angels assure them He will return in like manner.

2. United in Prayer (Acts 1:12–14): Returning to Jerusalem, the apostles gather in the upper room with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and His brothers, continuing with one accord in prayer.

3. Matthias Chosen (Acts 1:15–26): Led by Peter and guided by Scripture, the believers choose Matthias to succeed Judas as an apostle, preparing for the upcoming move of God.

💡 Today’s Scripture Verse  - Acts 1 

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

🌟Daily Heart-Check:  From "Self-Striving" to "Holy Spirit Power" 

• Power Comes From Above, Not Self-Sufficiency: The disciples had previously stumbled, fled in fear, and struggled with weakness. Yet Jesus did not demand that they change the world through raw willpower; instead, He instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit. Faith is not about gritting our teeth in our own strength, but opening our lives to receive divine peace and power from God.

• United Prayer in Times of Waiting: Facing the interval after Jesus' ascension, the disciples did not scatter in panic. Instead, they gathered in the upper room to continue with one accord in prayer. When facing uncertainty, transitions, or silence in life, our most valuable discipline is to quiet our restless thoughts and seek God's guidance together.

🎵 Response Song :  

🙏 Closing Prayer

Loving Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving us Your word today as we read Acts Chapter 1, and thank You for ushering us into this inspiring new book filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and life-changing witnesses.

When we read Jesus' promise to His disciples before His ascension—"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you"—our hearts are greatly encouraged. Lord, we confess that when facing life's burdens, complex relationships, and unknown futures, we so often feel weak, inadequate, and overwhelmed. Thank You for reminding us through today's scripture that faith is not sustained by our fragile willpower, but by the overflowing strength of the Holy Spirit. Fill our hearts with Your Spirit today, drive away our fear and self-doubt, and give us the courage and strength to live faithfully each day.

When we read how the disciples gathered together in unity, continuing steadfastly in prayer while waiting for the promise to be fulfilled, search our hearts today. In a world driven by rush and restless anxiety, we so often lack the patience to wait on You. Grant us prayerful hearts, teaching us to pause in times of transition or uncertainty, turning our eyes from immediate obstacles to You, and experiencing Your faithful provision as we seek Your face.

Lord, we pray for our family and friends today, especially those who are feeling weak, exhausted, or lost in life. May the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit rest upon their souls. Protect us as seekers and new believers on this reading journey through Acts, allowing us to witness Your miraculous power at work in our daily lives.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!