The Ascension. You would think when Jesus died for us ~ He would have had a honeymoon period. We see almost immediately (opposite of what Jesus did for Peter, to immediately lift Peter up) the disciples are fed, literally breakfast, by a risen Lord and begin to hide their flaws and to argue rights.
What will John receive? Is Peter really a lover of Jesus or a friend? When is Jesus going to haul the Romans out of Israel? That's about as rude gets. Really.
Could it be possible, we know what Jesus was thinking at the Ascension???
Exactly NOT the billboard.
A large part of the disagreements of the Acts of the Disciples was the seriousness of the task.
Jesus left giving the Holy Spirit promising He would never leave or forsake us. And Jesus said The Days Would Come where we would all want to see His days again and long for the healing touch of God.
Psalm 77
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
When Mary Magdalene met the Risen Jesus - the first thing she said to Him was "Teacher!" She probably did not know what exactly to say to someone so killed and so resurrected. And remember, Jesus was back in His resurrected body. Jesus overcomes again and again and replies He has been to His Father and her's!
God is good.
Life tests us. I woke up today remembering something really difficult and emotional with a new aspect today. God connecting events from 48 years and showing difficulties. God giving a new example. God presenting us with a teacher who has experienced hardships in life and will go forth. Finding Joy in each day. Acknowledging heart aches.
What an amazing example. I've seen a loving daughter dealing with a very invalid, long term mother at age 94 in her home. Childhood roles reverse and patience is required. And goodness is present when not every request is jumped upon as a time for service.
Teachers teach. They expect to be heeded. Time is invested. Love is given. And yet teachers expect for us to do our best. Because they are showing us each day that life is a gift of God and blessings have to be looked for to seen. Until we acquire a treasure hunt attitude in some days - the profound blessings are entirely missed. OF COURSE, we have days of peace, joy and contentment. Other days life requires us to be strengthened in hope, faith and love.
Jesus the ultimate teacher looks at all the events of His Life and does not shake His finger. He sees in each of us what makes us in His Image. As His Child, He encourages to work to see all things work to good for those Who Love the Lord.
I was asked by a mother about fifteen years ago why one twin died before delivery and the survivor was ill. And I said I learned in my son's Apnea and not breathing events - to treasure life for today. To stretch to do more. If all things were easy - we would not be in a learning capacity. Problem solving and depending upon God get us stronger.
Does God ignore our needs or not care? No. Does God ask more work from us from our shame in not being perfect? No. God's Mission explains God. God wants to save the World. It's just that as we are created in His Image - He gives us gifts and abilities in faith to rely upon God.
Ephesians 2:13-22
in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Peter tells us Jesus has the Words of Life -
Jesus tells us something -
sovereign
limitless
enduringly strong
entirely sincere
eternally steadfast
immortally graceful
imperially powerful
impartially merciful
The greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son...
1 Peter 1:25
But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you.
John 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Thank You, Father God for our fourth recent rain. We are so very grateful. Help us to realize You have given us this day.
Let us see what adventure You will bring. Today we found exceptional seats at the fireworks. And the seats got us through the red light and home before the crowd moved from their parking place. We saw Your ocean and delighted in the green, brown, blue of the changing waves of pristine white. Your continual breeze, the vast skies of Your Creation.
Bless us to bless those we Love and You have given us. We ask You dwell in those we love, our friends, Church, coworkers, neighbors, our State and Nation. Jesus renew, reestablish Your Goodness and rejoice in us as We Go Forth in Jesus. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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