DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
APRIL 18, 2026
READ: Acts 1 (Focus vs. 6-11)
MEMORY VERSE
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
BACKGROUND
Kiribati, an island country in the Pacific Ocean, is the only nation in the world that exists in all four hemispheres of the globe. The thirty-three islands of Kiribati straddle both the equator and the 180th meridian. It’s also one of the most remote nations in the world.
We serve a God who cares about these remote places. As Jesus prepared His disciples for His return to heaven, He told them, “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).
“To the ends of the earth” is a call to take the message of the gospel to the world’s most isolated spots. But the call wasn’t limited to remote places only. It included their current location of Jerusalem and the nearby regions of Judea and Samaria.
After Jesus gave these parting words to His disciples, “He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (v. 9). Two angels appeared and said, “This same Jesus . . . will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (v. 11).
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important news anyone can ever hear. The challenge for us as His ambassadors is to share that news. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can see that everyone—near and far—gets a chance to hear.
Bill Crowder
INSIGHT
The plan that Jesus gave His disciples in Acts 1:8 unfolds throughout the book of Acts. In the very next chapter, the power that Christ promised would come to all the disciples who were gathered in the upper room (2:1-12).
Immediately after this event, Peter proclaimed to thousands of listening ears in Jerusalem the story of Jesus and the promise of salvation through Him (vv. 14-39).
Over the next several chapters, Peter would go to the believing Samaritans who’d heard Philip’s preaching, and they too would receive the power of the Holy Spirit (8:4-17).
Finally, the gentile centurion Cornelius and his family would respond to the gospel and, through Peter’s preaching, they and all who heard the message and believed in Christ—both Jews and gentiles—were marked with the Spirit (ch. 10).
When we embrace His call and follow His plan, we can carry the message of the gospel wherever we go in the power of the Holy Spirit.
J.D. Ostoich
APPLICATION
What does it mean to be Jesus’ witnesses “to the ends of the earth”? How does His command inspire you to share His love with others?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important news anyone can ever hear.”
PR’s TAKE
“God’s command ‘Go ye, and preach the Gospel to every creature was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant.” Elisabeth Elliot
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations, and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14 KJ21
PRAYER
“Dear Father, please give me a heart for those who don’t know You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“LIFT HIM UP”
How to reach the masses, those of ev’ry birth?
For an answer Jesus gave the key:
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth;
Will draw all people to Me.”
Lift Him up, lift Him up,
Still He speaks from eternity:
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
Will draw all people to Me.”
O the world is hungry for the living bread,
Lift the Savior up for them to see.
Trust Him, and do not doubt the words that He said:
“I’ll draw all people to Me.”
Lift Him up, lift Him up,
Still He speaks from eternity:
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
Will draw all people to Me.”
Lift Him up by living as a Christian ought,
Let the world in you the Savior see.
Then saints will gladly follow Him who once taught:
“I’ll draw all people to Me.”
Lift Him up, lift Him up,
Still He speaks from eternity:
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
Will draw all people to Me.”
