Reminders from Yesterday

Sometimes, God’s Words give us hope for tomorrow.  Other times, God’s Words give us reminders of God’s faithfulness in the past.  They remind us of yesterday’s gone by where God has provided for us, sustained us, strengthened us, or comforted us.  God was always there, we are reminded, trying to walk with us even when we were not trying to walk together with God.

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. (Acts 1:12-13 NIV)

I wonder if the apostles were reminded of God’s faithfulness in this way when they arrived and went to the upstairs room.  Did this room remind them of another upper room where they shared a meal with Jesus?

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. (Mark 14:12-17 NIV)

How about you?  Do you remember past encounters with God?  Do these encounters remind you of God’s faithfulness in the past?  Do these reminders help you trust God as you face life today?  Do reminders from yesterday help you in your walk together with God?

Promises for Tomorrow

Jesus spent the time needed to convince his followers that he was, in fact, alive.  He also explained to them how he fulfilled the Scriptures just as the prophets had said. Now, it was time to go.

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.  (Acts 1:9 NIV)

When God takes the time to convince us of something, it’s worth being convinced.  When God takes the time to explain something to us, it’s worth taking the time to understand.  When God speaks, we should listen.  That’s because God’s words are more valuable than any other words we hear.  Sometimes those words give us promises to look forward to for tomorrow.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "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." (Acts 1:10-11 NIV)

How about you?  Do you recognize God’s Words when you hear them?  Have you heard God’s promises for the future?  Do you take the time to listen?  Do you take the time to be convinced?  Do you believe God when He speaks?

Witnesses

I’ve witnessed car accidents before.  In some of the cases, it all happens too fast for me to be a helpful witness.  Other times I get more of the details right.  When I’m given more time, though, things sink in better.

After his suffering, he presented himself to them 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. (Acts 1:3 NIV)

The Apostles got three years of time – watching Jesus, listening to Jesus, and interacting with Jesus.  They were there when he taught in the synagogues, performed many miracles, and when he answered their questions.  They were also there when he died and for the forty days he took to convince them that he was alive.  Jesus took the time with them to make sure they knew the details.  Then, he left until a later time.

After his suffering, he presented himself to them 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. (Acts 1:3 NIV)

They were good, credible witnesses because of the time they spent with Jesus.  They knew him better than anyone else.  They were his friends.

How about you?  How much time have you spent with Jesus?  How well do you know him?  Are you a good witness?

Words

Last week, we left the disciples encountering the living Jesus.  They had seen him die.  Now they are encountering him alive.  They didn’t believe it at first, so Jesus took the time to make sure they believed.

After his suffering, he presented himself to them 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. (Acts 1:3 NIV)

Jesus didn’t just convince them that he was alive.  He spoke to them.  He reminded them of things he had already taught them.  He helped them understand the Scriptures.  He explained things with words.

Words can be powerful.  Words can build up.  Words can be life giving.  Jesus used words that give life.

How about you?  Do your words give life?