10/5/09

Acts 1:1-11 (New International Version)

Acts 1
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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."

9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10They 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."


This is a reminder that once again, the Holy Spirit abides with us. Jesus spent 40 days teaching his disciples after the resurrection and it drastically changed them. This time answered many questions for the disciples. We can hear many of these same words by reading the Bible. The Holy Spirit can make us new people. As his church, we can do his work on earth. Jesus proved that he was still alive by appearing frequently to the disciples. The disciples were tentative before the resurrection but after witnessing what they did, they became on fire for God. They risked their lives for a chance to spread the gospel. Would they have done this if Jesus was a fraud? Have confidence in your testimony and be confident that your faith is based on truth. We have the presence of the kingdom in our hearts through the spirit. It will be fully realized when Jesus returns. We are to spread the gospel worldwide until then. The spirit will comfort us, guide us through his truth, give us the right words to say, and empower us. We cannot belong to Christ without the spirit. Neither can we be united. We cant be his children, and we can't be in the body of Christ without being baptized by the Holy Spirit. It is the power of our new lives. It helps us to become more like Christ. God works in his own time.(vs. 7-9). If you want changes that God isn't making immediately, don't be impatient. Wait on his timetable. The disciples first recieved the Holy Spirit, second-It gave them power. Then and only then were they able to gain extraordinary results. When we try to witness by our own power, the results will not work. Witnesssing is not showing what you can do for God, but what God has done for you. We must wait for the Holy Spirit. Don't run ahead of God. We need God's timing and power to be truly effective.God's gospel has not reached it's final destination until everyone in your environment has heard it. Search every corner and turn over every rock.Contribute to the cause. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, two angels appeared and told them that Jesus would one day visibly appear as he disappeared. History is moving toward a specific point- The return of Jesus. We should be ready by working hard to share the gospel so that others can share in God's blessings.

I also want to bring up the fact that we are transformed by the trouble in our lives. This subject is very strong with me and I praise God for the words that he is about to give me. He placed them there for a reason.

God has a purpose behind every problem. He uses circumstances more than the Bible to shape our lives because we never stop facing circumstances. Nobody is immune and everyone has problems. Don't be surprised when tragedy strikes you. It is going to happen at some point. He uses this to bring us closer to him, because we worship the hardest when our life is the darkest. We often ignore him during the sunshine, but we seek his shelter during the storm. We learn things through suffering that we can't learn in any other way. You will never know that God is all you need until you realize that God is all you have. No problem happens to you without God's permission, but he intends to use it for good, even when Satan intends to use it for bad. Every day of your life is known since before you were born, and it all has a spiritual signifigance. We make mistakes, but God never does. The events in our life work together in God's plan. Consider yourself blessed if you suffer great trials because it means that God is working on you. His purpose is greater than our problems, pain , and sin. If you live in opposition against the Lord, then your problems will turn out for bad. God will make a jewel out of you whether he has to use a jeweler's hammer or a jackhammer. Do not resist him unless you want your circumstances to be worse. Trouble produce patience, and patience produces character. What happens outwardly in your life is not as important as what happens inwardly. Under pressure, our faith is formed and shows it's true colors. I pray Lord that my colors are good. You will go through loneliness, temptations, stress, criticism, and rejection as well as many other things. So did Jesus. If we are to be Christlike then how could we expect to be treated any better than he was. Get better, not bitter. Respond the way Jesus would. God knows what is best, and he has your best interest at heart. Stay focused on God's plan, not your pain. Always remember that your pain is temporary, but your reward will be eternal. Stay focused on the end result. Ask God to use you problem to fulfill his purpose. Always rejoice in God's love, care, wisdon, power, and faithfulness because even in the worst of times, I promise you that he is still there. he goes through the pain with us. Be patient and persistent. You short circuit his plan and actually experience worse pain when you attempt to avoid life's problems. Look back in your life and see if I am wrong. As you spiritually mature, you will pray less for your comfort, and more for the desire to be like him. Don't ask "why me?". Ask "What do you want me to learn?". Don't give up, grow up! What problem in your life has caused your greatest growth?

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that all things work for your purpose. I feel so foolish for sometimes trying to run ahead of you and do things my way. I thank you for being there at all times but especially during the hard times. Thank you so much for your son and the Holy Spirit. I am so glad that I belong to you. Lord I pray that all of those who are struggling with something in their life right now will feel your comforting hand as I have. I also pray that we all learn what it is that we are supposed to learn through our experinces. I pray for this bible study as we get ready to begin waht your son taught us through his parables. I lift up my friends and family to you today that you meet their needs as you are the only one that knows what they are. Please forgive me where I fail you, and help me to forgive the ones who have offended me. In your precious name I pray......amen