For 40 days after Jesus Christ’s resurrection, He proved He was (and IS!) alive and taught about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3).
Then Christ was (the Ascension):
- Lifted up (Acts 1:9)
- Taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16)
- Exalted to the right hand of God (the place of power and authority) (Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3)
- Seated (crowned) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion (Ephesians 1:21,22; Hebrews 2:7,9)
- Highly exalted (Philippians 2:9)
- Given a name that is above every name (Ephesians 1:21)
- Made head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22)
What is the Lord Jesus Christ doing now?
- Preparing a place for us (believers) so we will be where He is (John 14:3)
- Heading the church, ministering and judging (Revelation 2-3)
- Interceding, advocating, and mediating for us (our Great High Priest) Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1; 1 Timothy 2:5)
- And more after the next event on the historical calendar: Sending the Holy Spirit.
What does Christ’s ascension mean for us?
I came to saving faith when I heard the gospel systematically preached, learned about Jesus’ life, recognized my sin, and realized His enormous sacrifice for me. The magnitude of the torture, brutality, and horrible execution to a truly good Christ overwhelmed me.
Jesus of Nazareth was winsome and approachable. The little children came to Him. His love drew me to Him.
When John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, saw the exalted Lord Jesus Christ, he fell at His feet like a dead man. (Revelation 1:17)
The exalted Lord Jesus Christ continues to:
- Call us: “Come unto Me.”
- Love us.
- Guard and keep us.
- Pray for us.
- Serve as our Great High Priest.
- Prepare a place for us in heaven that we may be where He is.
Our exalted Lord Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest, who was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He is sympathetic, merciful, and faithful on our behalf. We can draw near with confidence, knowing the Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord and also our loving priest.
But don’t forget: Jesus Christ is God, exalted above all.
Praise our Lord Jesus Christ, King, Lord, and Ruler over all.
~~~~
Father, we praise You for raising Christ from the dead, seating Him at Your right hand, and making Him King, Lord, and Ruler over all. We praise You, Lord Jesus, for saving us and keeping us. We are so grateful You continually intercede for us. We praise You that You are preparing a place for us. Help us grasp that everything is in subjection under Your feet, that You care for us, and that we can have Your peace in the midst of our trials. Help us live out this truth.
This post is for you, if you are a follower of Christ, having believed, repented, placed your trust in Him, and received Christ as Lord and Savior. If you haven’t, or if you’re not sure, see Becoming a Child of God.
Put your name in the designated places, making this post personal to you.
The Truth about You
God chose [your name] not because of anything [your name] did or didn’t do, but out of His own sovereign will. (Ephesians 1:4)
[Your name] made the decision to repent and believe. (Mark 1:15, John 3:15)
[Your name] was redeemed, saved from the penalty of sin. (Ephesians 1:7)
[Your name] is sealed with the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing [your name] eternal life, and providing guidance, teaching, and intercession. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
God blessed [your name] with all spiritual gifts. (Ephesians 1:3)
God granted everything to [your name] pertaining to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)
[Your name] is being sanctified, lessening the power of sin over [your name] life. (1 Peter 1:2)
God is at work in [your name], both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
God who began a good work in [your name] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Throughout the trouble of this fallen world, God keeps and protects [your name], using everything for good, making [your name] into the image of Christ and bringing glory to God. (Romans 8:28-29, 1 Peter 1:5)
[Your name] is a beloved child of God. (Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:1)
[Your name] is a co-heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
One day Christ, with great joy, will present [your name] to the Father holy and blameless. (Colossians 1:22, Jude 24)
And [your name] will live forever with God in heaven. (John 3:15)
~~~
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…(Ephesians 1:18–20)
nasa.gov
Our God is the Mighty One, worthy of all praise.
The Mighty One is able to accomplish all His will.
He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.(Psalm 33:9)
God is mighty over all, nothing and no one can stop what He wills to do.
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ (Daniel 4:35)
The Mighty One redeems, judges, avenges
I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.(Isaiah 49:26)
Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, who shows lovingkindness to thousands, but repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The Lord of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.(Jeremiah 32:17–19)
Nothing is impossible for the Mighty One.
Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
The Mighty One is able
The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8)
I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.(2 Timothy 1:12)
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.(Hebrews 2:18)
Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.(Hebrews 7:25)
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us… (Ephesians 3:20)
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24–25)
Challenge
What seems impossible in your life? Are your desires/dreams godly? Then turn to your Mighty One for whom everything is possible, and nothing is hard.
~~~
We praise You, Mighty One. Nothing is impossible for You. You are able to do all things: create, redeem, save, keep, protect, judge, avenge. You are able to perform all Your word. And You care for us, Your chosen. You promise good for us, followers of Christ, and Your mighty power accomplishes the good You intend for us. Your mighty power works in us. IN US! As we face challenges and opportunities, please remind us that You are the Mighty One, accomplishing Your will, that Your power works in us and the situation. We know we can do what You purpose for us, because nothing is impossible for You. Praise You, Mighty One. Please help us know, really know, that You are the Mighty One.
For many reasons we can plunk down and stay there. Fatigue can stop us, but sometimes we stay idle even when rested. Depression certainly can bring activity to a halt. And there are many other reasons as well.
I’ve heard of physicians giving patients prescriptions that instruct them to exercise. Once we get going, often our mood improves, and we feel more energetic.
God sometimes tell us to rest. God sometimes tells us to get with it. Whatever His instructions, we are to obey.
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you … So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him. (Genesis 12:1, 4)
But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went. (Acts 8:26–27)
And the Lord said to him [Ananias], “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul …” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem …” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine …” So Ananias departed and entered the house …” (Acts 9:11, 13, 15, 17)
Jesus said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.” Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. (Luke 5:24, -25)
If God tells us to get up and go, there are blessings for obedience. We might be healed in some way. We will become more mature, growing in our Christian walk. Others may be blessed.
It can be hard to get started. Here are some ideas:
Pray about what the Lord wants you to do that day, or what to do next. This may be something about the opportunity He has given you (See Redeem the Time), or it may be “Get up and do the dishes!”
Determine to obey Him.
Get up and go!
Even if you don’t feel like it, get up and go.
~~~
Father, I want to obey You in all things, including the daily activities of life. Help me hear what You have for me to do. Help me do the work You have for me to do. I want my life to glorify You.
I did nothing.
Well, that isn’t totally true, but you’ll have to read to the end to find out why.
Read Ephesians 1:3-8. It’ll take less than a minute.
I’ll wait.
.
.
.
These six verses tell us about actions God did on His own without our “help.”
God blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
God chose us that we would be holy and blameless before Him.
God adopted us.
Through Jesus Christ we were redeemed and forgiven.
Incredible, isn’t it!
We are to praise Him, and these verses certainly give us a start.
Let’s praise Him for blessing us, choosing us, adopting us, redeeming us, forgiving us.
GOD did it!
Now, what did I do? I repented and believed. (See, for example, John 3:18, 36)
Praise God!
The Living One
Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah!
We recognized Christ’s death on Good Friday. “Good” because His death was planned from eternity (Acts 2:23), because Christ died for believers’ sins (Romans 4:25), and because we (believers) were reconciled to God through Christ’s death (Romans 5:10).
Today we joyously celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection, His triumph over death. He is the Living One (Luke 24:5).
Jesus Christ proved He was resurrected.
He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
Christ’s resurrection fulfilled and proved the truth
He has risen, just as He said. (Matthew 28:6)
Davidlooked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor didHis flesh suffer decay.(Acts 2:31)
Death was conquered.
God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.(Acts 2:24)
Our Savior Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.(2 Timothy 1:10)
Believers are able to approach God
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.(Matthew 27:51)
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.(Hebrews 4:16)
Christ’s resurrection is our resurrection
Christwas delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.(Romans 4:25)
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.(Romans 6:4)
Rejoice!
~~~
Father, I praise You for Your glorious plan, Christ, Your mystery who reconciled believers with You. I praise You for raising Him from the dead, with the power of the Holy Spirit, proving Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I praise You, Lord Christ Jesus, for enduring the cross, knowing the joy set before You. I praise You for triumphing over Satan, conquering death. I praise You for making it possible that believers can walk in newness of life. I praise the Living One!
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Hallelujah!
(There is more! Stay tuned for Christ’s ascension, and Pentecost!)
Harry Durgin Facebook
I’ve been reading through boxes of books I inherited from my parents who went through World War II and were very involved in politics. Many of their books are history, biography, and autobiography. I am enjoying reading them.
As I have been preparing for Easter, I’ve been thinking about Christ’s history.
[This post has a lot of Scripture. I encourage you to take the time to follow the links or look up the verses in your Bible, and read about our awesome Lord!]
Christ’s History
Christ existed from eternity as God. (John 1:1-2)
Christ humbled Himself and was born as a man. (Philippians 2:6-7; Luke 2:10-11)
Christ lived among us, manifesting God. (Hebrews 1:3)
Christ died on the cross for our sins. (Romans 5:8)
Christ was raised from the dead. (Luke 24:5-6; Romans 4:25)
Christ ascended into heaven. (Acts 1:9)
Christ sent the Holy Spirt. (John 14:16-17; Acts 2:1-4)
Christ is exalted at God’s right hand. (Acts 5:31; Philippians 2:9-11)
Christ is interceding for us, ministering to the church. (Romans 8:34; Revelation 1-3)
Christ takes the title deed of the earth. (Revelation 5:5-10)
Christ avenges, judges; reigns and dwells for eternity. (Revelation 5:11-22:21)
Next Sunday we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
The resurrection is fundamental for us. If Christ wasn’t raised, we are people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:19)
But, hallelujah! Christ is risen!
Here are a few points about the resurrection to contemplate:
The resurrection proved Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Jesus Christ our Lordwas declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness. (Romans 1:4)
Jesus Christ triumphed over death at the resurrection
Through death He render[ed] powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14)
Jesus Christ proved He was alive and taught about the Kingdom of God for 40 days after His resurrection.
Jesus Christ also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing … over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
Because of the resurrection, believers:
We [believers] have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. (Romans 6:5)
What can we say?
What can we say about this awesome eternity–shaking event?
Praise God!
East Rift Zone from Mauna Kea — Harry Durgin Facebook
We are commanded to praise the Lord.
We often hear or say: “Praise the Lord,” or “PTL.” But are we saying “praise the Lord,” or are we praising the Lord?”
The Lord deserves praise.
We praise Him for who He is. We praise Him for what He does.
Who is like You, O Lord, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11)
The whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen. (Luke 19:37)
Everyone is to praise Him.
Jesus: At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.(Matthew 11:25)
Angels: And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God …(Luke 2:13)
Children: “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’? (Matthew 21:16)
All people: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” (Romans 14:11)
We are to praise Him continually.
Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.(Hebrews 13:15)
And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness and Your praise all day long.(Psalm 35:28)
But about midnight Paul and Silas [after having been beaten and thrown into prison] were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. (Acts 16:25)
We are to praise Him with our lips, our lives
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.(Ephesians 1:5–6)
To the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:12)
[Christians were] filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11)
Challenging!
The Lord deserves praise from us at all times, regardless of our circumstances, and with our entire lives.
~~~
Lord, I want to praise You as You deserve. Help me do so.
~~~~
Tips to Praise the Lord
Nearly every page of the Bible tells up about our God, who He is, what He does, and, sometimes, why He does what He does. As you read and study God’s word, praise Him.
This post is number 36 in a monthly series of Praise. Three years! See Praise Volume I, and previous months for A-K in Volume II. All of them give ideas on what to praise the Lord for.
Think about what God has done for you spiritually. If God is your Father, He has chosen you, justified you, is making you more like His Son, and will glorify you. He has given you every spiritual blessing. He has given you everything you need for life and godliness. Praise Him for those incredible gifts!
Think about what God has done in the world and what He has done for you. He is the Creator. He works wonders. He has blessed you. Praise Him for that!
I defended myself once in traffic court. It didn’t go so well. I left with several points on my record and a lighter wallet.
I still think I was innocent. I still cannot believe the policeman who testified actually remembered my specific car.
Even if I had represented myself perfectly, I think I still would have lost.
Thank God I do not and will not have to defend myself before Him.
I am guilty. All I can do is to confess and ask for His mercy.
That is what Christians do. We agree with God that we are sinners (confess) and repent before Him. We believe in Christ Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior.
And God, in His mercy and grace, declares us, in Christ, righteous. (Romans 8:28-30)
Amazing.
We still sin, and will until heaven, and we are constantly accused by Satan to God.
The immense good news is that:
God is for us. (Romans 8:31)
It is God who justifies. (Romans 8:33)
Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)
NOTHING can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
We do not have to represent ourselves!
Chris is our advocate!
Hallelujah!
Jesus said to Peter: “You are … You shall be … ” (John 1:42)
He says that to us as well.
Each of us currently have specific
Levels of Christian growth
Habits
Character traits
Customary ways of dealing with issues
Etc.
Jesus knows this!
But, just as He said to Peter, He says to us: “You shallbe…”
God’s word promises Christians that He will continue His good work in us. (Philippians 1:6).
And! God tells us we WILL be conformed to the image of His Son.
We SHALL BE!
Rejoice!
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When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready?
When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fear bad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and helps them emerge stronger on the other side.
About me
I'm a Christian, wife, retiree, and author.
I love studying and putting knowledge into action. I'll share what I'm learning, encourage you, and urge all of us to press on to become more like Christ.
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