Matthew 28:16-17 (Ascension of the Lord)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com).

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Matthew 28:16-17

Living Faith snippets: "We should never kid ourselves that somehow visual evidence puts all doubts to rest. Faith and doubt quite often exist together. Doubt doesn't invalidate faith, not the faith of the first disciples, and not our faith. Yes, 'they doubted.' But they also 'worshipped.' And their worship is what mattered. Jesus doesn't give them grief for their doubt. He commissions them, and us, to 'make disciples of all nations.' Lord Jesus, help me to not take my doubts too seriously." by Mitch Finley

Rich's comments: Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. Jesus' departure and ascension into heaven was both an end and a beginning for His disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with His beloved disciples, it marked the beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a new way. Jesus promised that He would be with them always to the end of time. Now as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, Jesus promised to give them the power of his Holy Spirit, which we see fulfilled ten days later on the Feast of Pentecost (Luke 24:49 and Acts 2:1-4). When the Lord Jesus departed physically from the apostles, they were not left alone or powerless. Jesus assured them of his presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today is the National Day of Prayer designated by the United States Congress as a day when all Americans regardless of faith are asked to come together and pray in their own way. It is held on the first Thursday in May. For more information, please visit the official National Day of Prayer website here. Lord Jesus, we pray that through the gift of your Holy Spirit, You fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy so that we may witness to those around us the joy of the gospel and the reality of Your resurrection. Amen.

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml.

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* Share the Good News: Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)! Let's make time to share with unbelievers...and to re-evangelize ourselves and our Western culture.