Reconnecting to God's Presence: A Call to Devotion

Devotional

Day 1: Devotion to Community and Spiritual Practices

The early church was marked by a deep devotion—not just to beliefs, but to practices that shaped their life together. They were steadfast in learning from the apostles, sharing meals, praying, and caring for one another’s needs. This devotion was not a casual commitment but a glue that held them together, creating a vibrant, generous, and joyful community where God’s presence was experienced daily. Their example challenges us to consider what we are truly devoted to and how our daily actions reflect our commitment to God and each other. [00:18]

Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can devote yourself more fully to the life of your church community this week—whether through prayer, sharing, or reaching out to someone in need?

Day 2: Reconnecting to God’s Presence and Peace Together

There is something powerful about experiencing the presence of God not just individually, but together as a gathered people. Even when the disciples were locked away in fear, Jesus came among them and spoke peace over them, reminding them that his presence brings wholeness, healing, and hope. As we reconnect and regather, we are invited to receive this peace afresh—not just for ourselves, but as a community that welcomes others into God’s shalom. [07:40]

John 20:19-21 (ESV)
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Reflection: Where do you most need to experience Christ’s peace today, and how can you invite others to encounter God’s presence with you?

Day 3: Receiving the Holy Spirit’s Power for a New Season

Jesus not only brings peace but also breathes his Spirit upon his followers, equipping them for the challenges and opportunities ahead. As the disciples waited in uncertainty, Jesus empowered them with the Holy Spirit, preparing them for a new chapter of mission and service. In times of transition or waiting, we too are invited to receive the Spirit’s power, trusting that God equips us for what is next and calls us to move forward in faith and expectation. [12:42]

John 20:22 (ESV)
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God calling you to wait and receive his Spirit’s empowering before stepping into something new?

Day 4: God’s Strength in Our Weakness and Loss

Periods of loss, pruning, or feeling weakened are not the end of God’s work—in fact, they are often the beginning of a rich harvest. The early church experienced setbacks, loss of numbers, and even betrayal, yet God used these moments to strengthen and prepare them for greater fruitfulness. When we feel diminished or uncertain, God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and he promises to bring new life and hope out of what seems lost. [17:46]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Reflection: Think of a recent loss or area of weakness—how might God be preparing you for a new season of growth or service through it?

Day 5: Becoming a Daily, Life-Giving Church

Church is not meant to be a once-a-week event, but a daily invitation to experience and share the living presence of God. When we gather—even in small numbers—God is with us, and his kingdom breaks in. Each day is an opportunity to drink from the well of his presence, to encourage one another, and to invite others into the life and hope that Jesus offers. Are we thirsty for more of God, and are we ready to become a church that lives out his presence every day? [26:57]

Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Reflection: Who can you intentionally connect with today to share in God’s presence—whether through prayer, encouragement, or simply being together in Christ’s name?

Sermon Summary

Reconnecting to church is not about returning to what we had before, nor is it simply about filling a seat or logging in online. The heart of what God is calling us to is a deeper, richer experience of His presence together—a church that is alive, devoted, and expectant. Acts 2:42-47 paints a picture of a community marked by devotion: to teaching, to fellowship, to breaking bread, to prayer, to generosity, and to worship. These are not just beliefs, but practices that shape a people who are glued to God and to one another.

The journey to this kind of church is not without its challenges. Like the early disciples, we have known seasons of lockdown, loss, and uncertainty. Yet, in every season, the presence of God has been our constant. Even when we feel empty or disconnected, God’s presence has not departed from us. There is something uniquely powerful about experiencing His presence together, and as we regather, we do so not just to reclaim old routines, but to encounter God afresh.

Jesus’ words to His disciples in their own locked room—“Peace be with you”—remind us that we are being called back into His peace, His shalom, His wholeness. But He doesn’t stop at peace; He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” We are being reconnected not only to peace, but to power. This is a season of waiting, but not passive waiting. God often does His deepest work in us as we wait, preparing us for what is next.

We may feel weaker, smaller, or uncertain about the future, but God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Every pruning leads to a richer harvest. Our calling is to be a house of prayer, a place where people encounter the living water of Jesus, where peace and power flow, and where everyone is welcomed to drink deeply.

This is a call to daily devotion, to being together in a way that goes beyond consuming a service. It is about serving, giving, encouraging, and doing life together. It is about being a family, a people who invite others into the presence of God every day. Are we thirsty for this? Are we ready to welcome the Holy Spirit, to become the church God dreams for us to be?

Key Takeaways

1. The Presence of God Is Our Constant and Our Goal No matter the season—whether in lockdown, loss, or uncertainty—the presence of God remains with us. Our gatherings, whether online or in person, are not about programs or routines, but about drawing near to God together. The true measure of our community is not in numbers or activities, but in our shared experience of God’s presence. [06:27]
2. Reconnection Means Embracing Peace and Power Jesus’ first words to His disciples after the resurrection were “Peace be with you,” and then He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. As we regather, we are called to receive both His peace and His empowering Spirit. This dual gift equips us to face ongoing challenges and to become a people marked by wholeness and supernatural strength. [12:42]
3. God Works Deeply in Seasons of Waiting The temptation after a long disruption is to rush back into activity, but God often does His most transformative work in us while we wait. Waiting is not wasted time; it is a space where God prepares us, deepens our trust, and shapes our character for the harvest to come. [13:54]
4. Devotion Is the Glue of True Community The early church was marked by devotion—to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. This devotion is not casual; it is steadfast, like being glued to what matters most. Our challenge is to examine what we are truly devoted to and to let our lives be shaped by practices that foster deep connection with God and each other. [21:07]
5. Togetherness Is More Than Proximity—It’s Purposeful Engagement Being together is not just about being in the same room or on the same livestream. It is about contributing, serving, encouraging, and sharing life. True togetherness means everyone is included, everyone is needed, and everyone is invited to drink from the living water of God’s presence, every day.

** [23:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:06] - Reconnecting to Church: Setting the Scene
[00:18] - Acts 2:42-47: The Blueprint of Community
[01:14] - Practices, Not Just Beliefs
[02:33] - What Are We Reconnecting To?
[03:03] - Connection and Disconnection in Lockdown
[04:27] - The Blessing and Challenge of Online Church
[05:11] - God’s Vision for Us Now
[06:27] - The Presence of God in Every Season
[07:17] - Regathering Into God’s Presence
[08:48] - Reconnecting to Peace and Wholeness
[12:42] - Receiving the Holy Spirit: Peace and Power
[13:54] - The Gift and Challenge of Waiting
[17:46] - Strength in Weakness and Expectation of Harvest
[20:33] - Devotion: The Heart of Community
[22:38] - Everyone, Together, Daily
[24:55] - Family, Mission, and Daily Church
[27:44] - Thirsty for God’s Presence
[28:58] - Welcoming the Holy Spirit and Living Water

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) — And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

John 20:19-22 (ESV) — On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:4-5 (ESV) — And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Observation Questions

According to Acts 2:42-47, what specific practices did the early church devote themselves to?
In John 20:19-22, what were the first words Jesus spoke to his disciples after the resurrection, and what did he do for them?
What does Acts 1:4-5 say Jesus told his disciples to do before they began their ministry?
The sermon described the early church as being “glued” to certain things. What were these, and how did this devotion show itself? [[21:07]]

Interpretation Questions

The early church’s devotion was not just about beliefs, but about daily practices. Why might these practices be so important for building a strong, connected community? [[01:25]]
Jesus greeted his disciples with “Peace be with you” and then breathed the Holy Spirit on them. What does it mean to receive both peace and power from Jesus, especially in times of uncertainty? [[12:42]]
The sermon mentioned that God often works deeply in seasons of waiting. How might waiting on God prepare a church or an individual for what’s next? [[13:54]]
The idea of “togetherness” in Acts 2 goes beyond just being in the same place. What does purposeful engagement look like in a church community, according to the sermon? [[23:28]]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Our gatherings, whether online or in person, are not about programs or routines, but about drawing near to God together.” What is one way you can intentionally seek God’s presence with others this week, rather than just attending a service? [[06:27]]
Jesus offered both peace and the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Is there an area of your life where you need to receive Jesus’ peace or power right now? How can you invite the Holy Spirit into that area? [[12:42]]
The early church was marked by daily devotion and sharing life together. What is one practical step you could take to deepen your connection with someone in the church this week (e.g., sharing a meal, praying together, or helping with a need)? [[24:10]]
The sermon challenged us to examine what we are truly devoted to. What is something you are “glued” to in your daily life? Is it helping or hindering your relationship with God and others? [[21:07]]
The pastor said, “We can’t serve from a sofa… we are contributors, not just watchers.” In what ways can you move from being a consumer to a contributor in your church community? [[23:28]]
The message talked about waiting on God and not rushing back into activity. Is there an area where you feel God is asking you to wait? How can you use this waiting time to let God work more deeply in you? [[13:54]]
The sermon ended with the question, “Are we thirsty to be the church God wants us to be?” What does spiritual thirst look like for you, and how can you respond to that thirst this week? [[28:46]]

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