Post-Ascension Party

November 1

(Luke 24:52-53 NIV) “Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. {53} And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

(John 4:24 NIV) "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

(Romans 12:1 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."

(Revelation 4:10-11 NIV) ""The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: {11} "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.""

After Christ’s ascension into Heaven, His followers returned to Jerusalem with great joy in their hearts. Despair and fear were behind them. Jesus had defeated darkness and death. They knew the truth now, and their response was continual worship. For a time, they were at the temple every day, praising God and proclaiming the resurrection. They were Christ’s witnesses, and they preached repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to all who would listen. This was their “spiritual act of worship”. The church today is still called to these same behaviors. We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices and live our lives with joy, filled with praise for God. Worship Christ in spirit and in truth, for He is worthy “to receive glory and honor and power”. He is risen, and He has ascended to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Praise the Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day       

Lifted to Heaven

October 31

(Luke 24:50-51 NIV) “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. {51} While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”

(Acts 1:9-11 NIV) ““After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. {10} They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. {11} "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.””

(Mark 16:19-20 NIV) “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. {20} Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

The earthly ministry of Jesus didn’t end with His death on the cross. After His resurrection, Jesus walked among His people for some forty days before His ascension into heaven. Scripture says, He was “taken up”. When people ask where heaven is, the scriptural answer is “up”. No one knows how far up heaven is, but from an earthly perspective we know that it’s not down. Jesus was taken up and eventually disappeared into the clouds. Scripture also notes that He was “taken”. Even though Christ could walk through walls after His resurrection, Scripture says He was “taken up”. This implies that He didn’t go home on His own power. God the Father chose the dates for Christ’s birth and death, and He chose the date that Jesus would be “taken up”. God provided the power for the resurrection and the ascension. He still does. Have you trusted in God’s power? It’s the only way to fly. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Spirit Powered Star Witnesses

October 30

(Luke 24:48-49 NIV) "You are witnesses of these things. {49} I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

(Acts 1:8 NIV) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

(Matthew 10:18 NIV) "On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles."

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and many others. He told them that they were now His witnesses to the world. They were to represent Him well and tell His story. He would no longer be there in body, but they would not be alone. They would not be operating on their own power. God’s Holy Spirit would adorn them with power from above. His mighty power would propel them outward as they took the Gospel to their neighbors, and to the entire world. They would appear before many high government officials and magistrates, but they were not to worry. The Spirit would give them words of testimony to share. From now on, they would be Spirit-powered witnesses. Christians, this is still our calling. We have been called to live as Spirit-powered witnesses. On our own, we will fail miserably. But with the Spirit’s power, we can become star witnesses for Christ. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

The Main Thing

October 29

(Luke 24:46-47 NIV) ““He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, {47} and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.””

(Mark 16:15-16 NIV) ““He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. {16} Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.””

(Acts 2:38-40 NIV) ““Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. {39} The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." {40} With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.””

Preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins is out of fashion among many well-read and enlightened Christians today. “Social Justice” and “Kingdom Living” dominate the agenda in many a church, and while these should be part of a complete discipleship package, we should never forget the main thing. The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing! Jesus did not die on the cross so that we could live better and be more compassionate. He would have us grow into those things, but Christ came to die for the sins of the world. He came to save us, and the road to salvation runs through repentance. Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead so that repentance and forgiveness of sins could be preached in all nations. He wants everyone to repent and be saved. This was Christ’s main thing. It was also the early church’s main thing. And it ought to be our main thing. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day