Verse of the Day 12/31

Acts 1:11 (NLT) "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!"

 

The angels were speaking to the stunned apostles who had just seen Jesus taken up to heaven.  John MacArthur writes that their question "denotes more than a routine question about the men's reaction to the miracle.  "Looking" refers to a long gaze; in this instance a transfixed stare as if losing someone.  The question, then, was a mild rebuke to the eleven.  They were not forever losing their Master, as some apparently feared.  The angels went on to stress that Jesus would someday return to earth in the same glorious manner as the apostles had just seen Him ascend."

 

Many will be facing this coming year with the same kind of stare, having lost someone, or perhaps looking and longing for better days yet dwelling on the past, thinking the best days are behind us.  The look of a Christian is both upwards and forwards, looking to a better day coming, relationships will be restored, we will have new heavenly bodies, and we will see our loved ones and our Saviour face to face.

 

Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

 

Titus 2:11-13 (NLT) For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. ¹² And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,¹³ while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

 

As we look towards this new year, may that be our story, may that be our song.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Acts 1:6-11

New Living Translation (NLT)