Wednesday, October 27, 2021

It’s a Cloudy Day

Meditate.

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?" 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!" Acts 1:6-11

Has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?  What a great question that was two thousand years ago…and today. Has the time come? Jesus’ answer that the Father is the one to set the date hasn’t changed. Israel is back in the Promised Land…and things are looking pretty grim with the political activity in the Middle East—so it may not be long now.

There are clouds in the sky today—beautiful fluffy white and gray clouds. Were the clouds fluffy, puffy cumulus clouds when Jesus ascended into Heaven? We have no way of knowing. We just know that the two men—presumably angels—said…someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go! That is in the clouds. On cloudy days I feel an extra bit of joy in my heart…could today be the day? Then on cloudless days I feel like it is not a day for Christ to return, but remember what Jesus Himself said…

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44

We can’t depend on our feelings…joy or disappointment. We just need to be ready all the time. God the Father will surprise us one day, cause the dead to rise, transform those believers who are still living and have Jesus call us all home. Home to Heaven. And then we will go everywhere with Jesus—serving Him however we can—maybe even as kings and priests. Eternity is going to be a long time…are you ready? Put Jesus first in your life—accept Him as your Savior and you’ll be ready.

Watch for a day with clouds…and be ready.

Prayer ~ Lord God… Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Psalm 90:14

Verses of Salvation ~ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3

Do you know the ABCs of Salvation?

A - Admit

Admit what you have done wrong and ask forgiveness.

  • Romans 3:23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 
  • Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death.  
  • 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.-   

-     B - Believe

Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again as a payment for your sins.

  • -        John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
  • -        1 Corinthians 15:3-4  Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
  • -        Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

C - Confess and Choose

Confess and choose to allow God to the be in charge of your life

  • -        Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • -        Romans 10:9  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 
  • -        Romans 10:13  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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