verseoftheday

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city... They all joined together constantly in prayer... Acts 1:12, 14 NIV Jesus had been taken up, they'd met a couple of Angels, and now headed back to the city. And what did they do? Pray. Not someone standing up the front praying but praying together. A lot. Last night at LifeGroup one person picked Pray for One Another (James 5:16) as their key One Another verse and I was challenged about how much time I actually pray. Alone Together. In community. Praying together does make us vulnerable - maybe that's why I don't do it much, but as James says that's a place of healing. So maybe I can add one small aspect, time, habit of prayer into my life. I wonder what might change... #whatmattersmost #Acts #grow #pray #praytogether

Every time they were gathered together, they asked Jesus, "Lord, is it the time now for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?" Acts 1:6 TPT After all that had gone on, 3 years of Jesus teaching, his death, AND his resurrection, and 40 days of teaching and instruction, Jesus team still didn't get it. This gives me a wee bit of hope when I struggle with some of Jesus teaching! They were still looking for an external kingdom, where their circumstances would be different. Where they would be in charge (echoes of Adam and Eve) Where they could put all that's wrong with the world right. It took Jesus to leave and the Holy Spirit to come for them to get that the Kingdom is one of the heart. It is not reliant on who is in politcal power, my external circumstances, my health, financial position, whether I am liked and accepted, meet others expectations...etc etc It is about who is in charge tho. On the inside. In the Kingdom of the heart When we orient our he...

...when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:8 AMP On Monday, we often get asked "what did you do on the weekend?" I always like to include that I went to church Be My witness. To the people closest to you. They see you and me up close, in our home, street, place we study or work or shop. Be kind, patient, don't be rude... Be My witness When you had to walk everywhere, almost anywhere must've felt like the ends of the Earth! Now all I have to do is post on Instagram or Snapchat of Facebook. What am I saying there? Be my witness. And Samaria. Where people are unclean, enemies, less than, not like us. "Them" At one point Jesus deliberately went to Samaria. At some point he may want us to go there too. Be my witness Not in our own strength or wisdom, but with God's Spirit within. We are not on our own...

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:8 AMP I so want to get things done with my power and ability. But for things of the kingdom, there's another part of God through who, with who, somehow, things of eternal value will get done. And what's the job? The task? To be Jesus witnesses. Surely that's easy enough that I don't need any help. When I hate (myself or someone else) He calls me to love. When I'm angry, He calls me not to sin He says I'm blessed when I don't feel it, loved when I don't experience it, delighted in when I don't deserve it...so yes maybe I do need some help. To bear witness in my life to the outrageous, crazy, love story that brought Jesus into creation to give his life for us. To bear witness to his resurrection. And how that changes ...

After the sufferings of his cross, Jesus appeared alive many times to these same apostles over a forty-day period. Jesus proved to them with many convincing signs that he had been resurrected. During these encounters, he taught them the truths of God's kingdom realm Acts 1:3 TPT What was next for Jesus team? 40 days of learning. 40 days of hearing Jesus teach 40.days of being reminded about the ressurection. The word here for signs is literally "signposts". Markers that point the way. 40 days of preparation for what's next. There are times in our lives where stopping is OK. Where learning is the priority Where preparing for what God has next is where He has you. It took some time and markers, signposts, for Jesus team to fully "get" the ressurection and how that changes everything, more than just one breakfast. If you're figuring some stuff out with God, or walking with someone who is, take your time. Jesus ressurection changed everything. ...