Acts 1:7-8 - Productive Stillness
Step 1: Pray. Select.
I sit here in the darkness of early morning before sunrise. I wait patiently for the promises of a new day as sure as the sun. As I think about what scripture to pray about today, the words times and seasons appear in my thoughts. I searched for revelation in scriptures with these keywords and came across Acts 1:7-8.
Let’s begin our journey to understand more what the Holy Spirit says today about times and seasons, friends!
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Acts 1:7-8 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, it is not for you, times and seasons, when the Holy Spirit, come upon you, you shall be witnesses to ME.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence.
Step 4: Visualize
As I close my eyes and meditate on the scripture and my special sentence, I visualize a giant black-and-white calendar. There are large squares to fill the days of the month, but no dates or clue as to what month or day I am currently in. There are just squares upon squares waiting to be filled with plans. It is a blank canvas—no starting or ending point. I find myself not knowing where to begin.
The Holy Spirit tells me you cannot find the date unless you work backward from the mission. But what mission?!
I am frustrated at my lack of progress in this prayer time with understanding what to do, so I move to Step 5 to ask the Holy Spirit.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The question that came to mind is:
Holy Spirit, what is the mission I am supposed to be on? How can I find out?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received, rather quickly, I might add. At least we have some movement, friends. Whew! Let’s see what he has to say.
“I am glad you stopped and turned to me. When you are lost, you need to move more quickly towards me. The calendar you seek to be filled will start to fill not by your hand but by you being still and allowing me to fill it for you. If I let you fill it out now, prior to hearing my words or receiving my instruction, you will fill it with things you think need to be achieved based on your limited thought process. Open your mind to me and be still. Just like the assurance that the morning sunlight would eventually come and a promise of a new day would begin, I will show up and give you the steps you need so that you can testify and witness to the fact that every thing that you do is for Me. It is not your time or season, but rather, my time and season in which I need things to get done. You want to be busy by your definition, but I am asking you to be productive by my definition. This may be challenging when you are used to moving at your pace. But remember, I have instructions for you on this very topic.
Psalms 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I could keep going, but you get the point. Move today based what your Father needs to make sure you are doing Kingdom work with the mindset of excellence, endurance, and strategy. And when your Father provides a calendar filled with steps toward Him, be ready to move since he will take you far beyond even your wildest imaginations. One more thing…
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Be strong and very courageous today. Know I am with you every step of the way even if the step is to be still. Trust in my ways, for I know the plans I have.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
I pray today I keep God’s commands to help me see the goals he has in mind for me and not my own. If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we want to see how God is working in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, the point is clear. Let’s not get ahead of what God is planning for your life. He can do exceedingly more than we can imagine.
Let’s know that sometimes, just being still to receive wise counsel from the Holy Spirit is the next step.
In the meantime, while we wait, let's not just be busy; let’s be productive for the Kingdom, making an everlasting impact on behalf of our Savior who so graciously did for us.
Have a Jesus-filled focus today and enjoy the fruits of his labor.
God bless and see you soon!
