Looking Up in Cheers, Not in Despair

Daily Scripture Threshing for Friday, January 10, 2025

Today’s Text:  Acts 1:1-12

Key Verse: Acts 1:11 (NIV): ”Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Whenever God brings His men to a moment of awe, or standstill, or a mountain of experience; He certainly has a reason. A solemn message looms on that mountain if we position ourselves with the right attitude. This is true of Christ’s disciples I n this first chapter of Acts. They stood on Mt Olive in what seems like a restored hope: their crucified Lord had risen. They have touched him, he had blessed them, and they have supped with him; but that euphoria would soon seem short lived.

They were just regaining their confidence when, literally and visibly, their restored hope was raptured before them. Three times in today’s text, Christ’s ascension is emphasized to prove that it was not a figurative or symbolic experience.

That is how it is when we go through pains and challenges. Only we could tell the real realm of our pain. To others, it may look like delusion or illusion. Only each of us can tell how personal and visible our mountains’ or valleys’ experience are. This is true about the disciples on Mt Olive.

For three days, we’ve been encouraged to look up; here, we need the angels’ charge to our first lead Apostles so that we don’t look up in despair.

No doubt, our personal experience will do something to us. The supernatural spectacle of Jesus rising into heaven and disappearing into a glorious cloud would leave anyone standing and gaping in trepidation. But we always need a look of hope. The God that appeared to Abram to lift up his eyes sent His angels to charge us do the same.

If we brood and despair over a mountain of experience, how shall we lunch out to the valley of action. “Why stand ye gazing?!” Did Christ not promise to return? Are there no commands to go? The look of despair will focus our gaze on wrong things and rather than our commission. Yes, we need to look to heaven, by faith but we must focus on the work he commissioned us to do, while we expect His return.

Action Steps: Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right. Start the first five minutes of your day with God. Like Abraham, live sacrificially and to live generously. Trust and obey God.

Quote for the Day: ”God gives us hope as life’s major ingredient for survival. Men who lose or lack hope lack life’s vitality. They lack the courage to be—the strength to go on in spite of odds.” (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up my hands to you today. Like a dry ground my soul is thirsty for your help. Give me the grace, strength, and hope that I need to look away from my distractions or despair so that I can boldly take the next steps by faith — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.

Additional Reading: Luke 24:50-53; Ephesians 4:7-16 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Read the Bible Through in One Year: Genesis chapters 7; 8; 9; 10:1-5; 1 Chronicles 1:5-7; Gen 10:6-20; 1 Chronicles 1:8-16; Gen 10:21-30; 1 Chronicles 1:17-23; Gen 10:31-32 (NIV).

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Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide written for free distribution and edification of churches, homes, and individuals. For inquiries, free counseling, or deliverance, please, write or visit: The Darling Bishop, 2321 S Beltline Rd Suite 144 Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA.

You can be a part of this great and free course through a one-time or recurring donation. To give through Zelle, using +14073608280 or CashApp: $SimonOlatunji. Thanks and God bless you. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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