10/4/09

Luke 24:44-53 (New International Version)

44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I 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."

The Ascension
50When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

This shows that the entire Old Testament pointed to the Messiah. Jesus opened these people's minds to understand the scripture. We still have the spirit in our lives as we live and read the Bible. If you don't understand what you read then ask other believers, consult references, and pray fo the Spirit to open your mind to it. Christ's message of love should go around the world. The Disciples actually got to watch Jesus ascend from the earth. How scary and wonderful that would have been. They knew, however, that he sent the Holy Spirit down to abide in them. We have this still today. Study the Bible, pray, and ask for the Holy Spirit to lead you. Jesus did what he came to do and now he sits at the right hand of God as total authourity. Jesus lived the perfect life. He lived in obedience to his parents as a child, he served God through preaching and healing others as an adult, and he suffered without complaint as a condemned man. He was a real human being who healed people and fed them because he was concerned about their physical health as well as their soulds.We should also obey the Lord as we seek to restore peoples bodies and souls. Look to Jesus to discover how we should live.

The truth transforms us. We must fill our life with the word if we are to become like Christ. God's word is alive. James said that " God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all things that he made". It generates life, produces change, creates faith, causes miracles, heals hurts, frightens the devil, and many other things. It guarantees our future forever. Never take it for granted. A Bible on the shelf is worthless. Abiding in God's word includes 3 activities. We must accept it's authority, assimilate it's truths, and apply it's principles. The Bible must be our authority, compass, counsel, and benchmark. It will never lead us in the wrong direction. What will be the ultimate authority for your life?

Ask what the Bible says, and then trust it whether it makes sense or not. Recieve it, read it, research it, remember it, and reflect on it. If you feel you aren't recieving anything from a reading or a sermon, then you should check your attitude. Reading daily will keep you in range of God's voice. Always keep a copy of the Bible nearby and read it. Study the Bible, which means write down your thoughts on computer or paper. Remember what the word says. Memorize verses and apply them to your life. Reflect on the word. Meditate or "think focused" on it. This habit can and will transform your life.This is the key to answered prayer and successful living. Apply the Bible's principles by becoming "doers of the word". Satan will fight this hard. God's blessings come from obeying, not just knowing. This can be hard and painful because it exposes our motives, points out our faults, rebukes our sin, and expects us to change. Develop the habit of writng down exactly what you intend to do. It should be personal, practical, and provable. It will involve either your relationship to God, others, or your personal character. What has he already told you to do that you haven't done yet? The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives?

Heavenly Father thank you for this Sunday. Thank you for an opportunity to fellowship with other belevers as you have urged all week long. I pray that we bring you glory today and that the Church will feel revived. Lord I pray that you help me to understand your word to the fullest. Give me help where I need it. I also ask you to convict me to truly obey the words and give me the strength to fight Satan's grasp when it starts hurting to obey. I pray those unspoken prayers for my friends and family. I pray for Steve Wilson's dad as he struggles with his stroke and I pray for the entire family to have peace and trust in you. If any of their family doesn't know you, I ask that you enter their hearts and prove to them that you are God. If your will does not line up with ours, I ask that your will be done and that you give us understanding. I know all it takes is the touch of your hand. Thank you for the many blessings that you have given us. We truly don't deserve a single one of them. Thank you for your Son and the Holy Spirit. I ask for mercy and I pray that you help me show mercy and forgiveness to anyone who may have offended me. In your precious name I pray.....amen