Today the Christian community celebrates and remembers the Ascension of the Lord back to Heaven. Read these words from Luke 24: 44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled."45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Jesus' last instructions? 1) Read the Word. Study it for the Good News of God's love for all people. Remember that all that I endured, it was to please God. 2) You have work to do. Share with all people that their sins can be forgiven in My name. 3) Be my witnesses. Live a life that proclaims your faith in Me. 4) You will not be powerless; God is sending you the Holy Spirit. 5) Never stop worshiping God.
The rest of the passage says that He was carried up into Heaven. The disciples used this as a time of worship and then returned home with great joy and that joy continued in their daily worship of the Lord in the temple.
To me this is how we should live our lives. We should look "up" in the sense of our worshiping and staying connected with God, but we should also look "around" to the needs of our family, friends, neighbors, strangers and even those we can't stand. Tell them that God loves them both with your words and your actions. Be a witness of the great love you've received and is available to all. Worship God with great joy; enter your church with joy and know it's all about God, enjoy those who gather with you to worship, and then leave and return home with joy. Those days you're not in church at least be in love with God, living with great joy.
PRAYER: Loving God, may You be praised for all You do, are doing, and will do in our lives. May we be people of vision that see in all the directions we can to fulfill the needs of Your kingdom. This we pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio
