Before last year’s first lockdown we were exploring Acts 4:13, our ‘Verse for the Year’ (shown above), where we saw Peter and John, both “ordinary men”, but transformed because “they had been with Jesus”. This year we’re continuing with that verse because a) we didn’t get the time to fully explore it, and b) “being with Jesus” makes such a difference to our lives!  We’re starting at the beginning of Acts where the disciples realised how important Jesus was (v6 – they asked him about restoring his kingdom) . . . but they hadn’t quite appreciated how important they were in kingdom work. They ask Jesus “when are you going to restore the kingdom?” but he replies “but you will receive power . . . “. Jesus was bringing in his kingdom but was using his followers to achieve that in his power.  Just think what can happen with lives lived out in Jesus’ presence, in his strength and under his guidance. As we face up to another challenging year are we “going it alone” or is the reality of our lives lived through our connection to God himself by his Spirit?