Just before ascending back to heaven, Jesus gave His followers a mission. They were called to go and tell the Gospel. Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends …
God reframed the disciples’ expectations as Jesus answered their questions before His ascension. Acts 1:6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they …
Jesus commanded His followers to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit before He ascended into heaven. Jesus emphasized the importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit rather than rushing ahead. Luke 24:49And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy …
Witnesses to God’s saving work were essential to the early church’s spread of the Gospel. Their witness was a message that transformed lives. This mission began just before the ascension, when Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and prepared them to proclaim the good news. Luke 24:46 And Jesus said, “Yes, it was written …
Jesus opened their minds, giving us insight into how dependent we are on God to understand His Word. As Jesus prepared to ascend into heaven, He began to prepare the disciples for a new season of ministry by giving them greater insight into the Word of God. Luke 24: 44 Then Jesus said, “When I was …
God is still working when life feels empty and even when we are unaware that He is with us. Naomi returned to Bethlehem, overwhelmed by the loss of her husband and sons. She openly admitted her bitterness. Her name, Naomi, means “pleasant” in Hebrew. She knew her life was no longer pleasant because of her …
Choosing faith when the future is unclear is about trusting Him above what we can see with our human eyes. It requires God working in our hearts. This act of faith played a role in Ruth’s life, as she traveled from Moab to Israel with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Years earlier, Elimelech, his wife, and his …
Faith is tested by the choices we make, as seen in Naomi’s daughters-in-law. After the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi decided to head back home to Bethlehem. The three women readied themselves for the trip and started down the road. Ruth 1:8 But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back …
God’s mercy still calls us home even when we have experienced failure. Scripture tells us this repeatedly. This very fact gives insight into the heart of God, our Good Shepherd, who never tires of calling lost sheep back to the fold. As the book of Ruth unfolds, we see this very story of God’s heart …
In this week’s story, we see Naomi repeatedly responding to unwanted transitions. First, because of a drought, the family had moved from Bethlehem to Moab. Then an unwanted death intruded. Ruth 1: 3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons.[1] Naomi was now a widow. In that culture, a woman needed a …