Wednesday May 10, 2023

Today is Wednesday, May 10 and we are studying what the Bible says about Christ’s Ascension.

As I enter this time of prayer, I quiet my mind, slow my breathing and focus on the God who loves me. I rest in his presence.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the truth of scripture, open my ears to hear your still small voice, and open my mind to understand the message you have for me today. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s goodness and praise him with the words of Psalm 68.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Psalm 68:19-20

Pause and Pray

God is not bound by our earthly, human understanding of time, but he knows we are restricted by its finiteness. God gets our sense of chronological time. The scriptures clearly indicate the timing of events in the gospels. Jesus suffered on the cross, was dead and buried for three days in the tomb. Following the day of Resurrection, the Risen Christ made appearances to his followers for forty days. He ascended into heaven and then following a ten-day waiting period the Holy Spirit came at the feast of Pentecost. In order to be who God wants and needs them to be in his timing, the disciples must “stay” and wait for God to empower them for their task and mission.

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. Luke 24:50-53

I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I have important work to do. God invites me into mission alongside his disciples. God wants me to be successful at my task. God wants me to become who he has called and created me to be. God wants me to live out my purposes and do good in the world. God wants me to fully become who I am in him. I cannot do this in my own power. I need his power. I cannot do this in my own strength, I need his strength. I cannot do this with my own intellect, I need his intellect. As the disciples stayed continually at the temple praising God, I must stay, pray and wait for God to empower and equip me to do his work in the world.

Ask: Am I serving God in my own power or his power? Am I getting through my day in my own strength or God’s strength?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, Savior, Redeemer and Friend. I ask you to lift up your nail scarred hands and bless me as you so lovingly blessed your disciples. I am in awe of the glory of your company and I bow down before you. Jesus, I worship you. In your presence, my heart overflows with great joy. In the temple of my heart I will continually praise you. I read the words from Luke again and listen for the message you have for me.

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. Luke 24:50-53

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Whatever message God has for me today, I strive to listen with the ear of my heart. Maybe there is somewhere Jesus wants to lead me today. Perhaps there is a blessing I am to receive, for myself or for a loved one. Maybe God calls me to worship him. I am reminded that my physical body is a living temple for the Holy Spirit, and from this temple I can worship and praise God throughout my day. Perhaps God wants me to receive joy today and carry that joy to someone else. Maybe there is somewhere I am to “stay” and wait upon the Lord.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, come into the temple of my soul and shine your light. Remove any negative thoughts or troubling concerns and fill me with joy at your presence. Remind me that I am never alone, but you are with me and I can enjoy your companionship and worship you any moment of this upcoming day. Amen.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to bring the joy and peace of Jesus Christ to a world that is hurting and lost.

Amen