Overcome
OPENING PRAYER:
God thank you for this time to spend in your word. Guide my heart as I focus on your love.
READ:
“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood before them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand there 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.” Acts 1:9-11
REFLECT:
Just before ascending into heaven Jesus gives the disciples a call to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. Knowing what this would mean for them and the hardships that they will endure, he does not just leave the disciples alone. Jesus gives the disciples the Holy Spirit. They are also given hope that Jesus will return. Jesus gives the disciples hope through the difficulty to come through the Holy Spirit and the promise of his return.
As we read through the founding of the church and disciples’ ministries on earth, we can see that times were hard. Facing persecution, ridicule, and even death, the disciples cling to the hope of Jesus and his return to help them overcome these difficult times. We can also have this hope through our difficulties. Jesus gives his Holy Spirit to those who believe and follow him. We can have strength to overcome trials knowing that God is with us. We also know that one day Jesus will return and those who follow him will be united with him. We can persevere in difficulty by focusing on the hope we have in Jesus and that one day he will return.
APPLY:
Read through Revelation 21:1-7. Take some time to reflect on what Jesus’ return will mean for those who follow him and overcome.
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, thank you for the hope you have given us in Jesus. Knowing he has left the Spirit and that his promise to return can help us overcome our difficulties.
WORSHIP: