WATCHWORD:
“Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.” Acts 1:1-5 The Message
Meditation:
The Day After
“God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.”
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Yes, and today is that ‘tomorrow’ that you and I can face because He lives! He is in our lives to love, to heal and to forgive. How does that make you feel to know that He holds your future and that you have no need to fear; not today, not the next tomorrows? As for me? I Rejoice!
Jesus speaks to us from the pages of Jesus Calling: “Dearly beloved, when I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you. The Joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for Me. Thus, you invite Me into every aspect of your life. Through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours. This is the secret not only of joyful living but also of victorious living. I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing. Be thankful for quiet days when nothing special seems to be happening. Instead of being bored by the lack of action (and isolation), use times of routine to seek My Face. Although this is an invisible transaction, it speaks volumes in spiritual realms. Moreover, you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me through the routines of your day.”
Four days after the resurrection, Jesus meets with five disciples near Capernaum, forgives peters denials, and dines with them. A week after the resurrection, Jesus meets with disciples and followers in the upper room in Jerusalem. After that meeting he appears to 500 others in locations unknown.
Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus stands on the Mount of Olives with His disciples and ascends into the Heavens. Ten days later, Pentecost, the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing,” Colossians 3:23. If you believe that Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then remain in Him and watch what happens to the Christ-quality in your life. Amen and amen.
Prayer and Blessing:
I choose Jesus as Lord of my life. May Jesus’ name be honored through my life and effort. Holy Spirit, direct my days that I may grow strong in spirit, soul, and body. I turn away from the enticements of ungodliness and choose to walk paths of righteousness. May the grace and mercy of God fill my life, to him be all glory and honor. Amen. — AJM
