Tag: faith

Morning Reading: Acts 1.6-11 NLT – he will return

Reading: Acts 1.6-11 NLT

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

The Ascension John Singleton Copley, 1775 Boston Museum of Fine Arts
The Ascension
John Singleton Copley, 1775
Boston Museum of Fine Arts

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – You reign as High King of heaven… and yet, you are personally active and engaged in my life here on earth. Give me the confidence and courage to live boldly as your faithful servant… knowing that my labors for you are not in vain. Comfort and hearten all who live with pain and suffering… all  who cry out to you today. Welcome them into your presence, intercede for them, and grant them the desires of their hearts… according to your mercy and grace. Thank you for the blessed hope of a glorious future when you return as Judge and King… no more injustice, suffering, or death. Your Kingdom will be an everlasting Kingdom of truth, righteousness and love. And best of all, I will live with you there, my King… forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn: “Crown Him – Majesty” – Chris Tomlin w/ Kari Jobe

Morning Reading: Acts 1.1-5 NLT – friend of God

Acts of the Holy Spirit
Acts of the Holy Spirit

Reading: Acts 1.1-5 NLT

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – As I begin this new adventure with you, reading through the Book of Acts, enlighten and enliven me to all the possibilities and blessings of friendship with you. Fill me with your Spirit and give me the courage and boldness of your friends in another age… so that I can live for you in this day and age. May your Kingdom come and your will be done… in me. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “I am a Friend of God” – Phillips, Craig & Dean

Morning Reading: Luke 24.50-53 NLT – great joy and praise

The Ascension by Benjamin West, 1801
The Ascension
by Benjamin West, 1801

Reading: Luke 24.50-53 NLT

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

Prayer:  “Te Deum” – English Translation (Wikipedia)

We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee the Father everlasting.

To thee all the angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein. To thee cherubim and seraphim continually do cry – Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;  heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee. The noble army of martyrs praise thee.

The Holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; the father of an infinite majesty; thine honourable true and only Son; also the Holy Ghost the comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb. When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the hand of God in glory of the Father. We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting. O Lord save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever. Day by day we magnify thee; and worship thy name, ever world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee. O Lord in thee have I trusted let me not be confounded.

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Note: Sung by the Monks of the Grande Chartreuse. This hymn that is said to have been chanted by St Ambrose and St Augustine, is part of the midnight prayers, the Matins, and is chanted in nights before Sundays and feast days.

 

Morning Reading: Luke 24.35-49 NLT – joy and wonder

Reading: Luke 24:35-49 NLT

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.

And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?  Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.”

As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder.

Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.

"Forgiven" by Thomas Blackshear
“Forgiven”
by Thomas Blackshear

Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.  It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’  You are witnesses of all these things.

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – I join all your followers down through the ages in joy and wonder at your amazing love. While we were yet sinners, you died for us. Fill us with the power and authority of your Spirit to tell the whole world, ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are my King. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Amazing Love” – Newsboys

Morning Reading: Luke 24:13-34 NLT – burning hearts

Reading: Luke 24:13-34 NLT

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.

image
On the Road to Emmaus by Ira Thomas

As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

“What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.  Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them.

As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Help me to slow down long enough to simply walk with you… and listen to you. Fill me with a longing to be with you… and learn from you. I love you Lord. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Open Our Eyes Lord” – Robert Cull