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Read: Acts 3:1

Listen: Acts 3

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Acts 3:1

The early church is growing, and the apostles are deeply committed to teaching and leading these new believers in the way of Jesus. As part of that commitment, the apostles maintain a regular rhythm of prayer—a rhythm that includes going to the temple to pray. In this way, their faith involves things that were old and familiar (the temple, Scripture, prayer), yet was infused with new life because of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

What we see in the life of the early church is also true for us. The experience of Christ and his Spirit makes old things new again. The Spirit brings renewal and fresh air to our spiritual lives. For instance, the Spirit can awaken someone familiar with the Bible and its story to the reality of Jesus and his kingdom. Or, the Spirit can bring salvation to someone who is familiar with church, but has never put their faith in Christ. The Spirit brings new life into our old, familiar spaces.

TODAY: The only way to know and experience the Spirit’s power is through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus came and lived a perfect life and died on the cross to take away our sin and give us new life. Everyone who turns from their sin and puts their trust in Jesus is forgiven and sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). New life begins! Have you tasted and experienced that new life? If not, today is a great day to begin.