Sunday Writing... "ASCENSION CLOUDS"... 5/6/18

Good morning!

Today's writing, entitled "ASCENSION CLOUDS," talks about how the great variety of clouds in the sky can compare to our lives, and the role clouds played when Jesus ascended into heaven.  Many churches in America will celebrate Ascension today.  May you be reminded to walk by faith, not by sight.

Blessings,
Jan and Corinne

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Today's Devotional:

"ASCENSION CLOUDS"

by

Jan Andersen

Clouds, generally thought of or represented by white fluffy blobs, can actually display many colors, especially at sunrise or sunset. Sometimes they are beautifully painted in reds, oranges, yellows or even purple. At other times they are billows of ominous gray and black. They actually are not solid, but only a mass of water droplets or frozen crystals. Yet at times these misty collections of moisture spread the sun's light into a gorgeous fan of golden rays, and at other times they totally obscure the view of that ball of fire in the sky.

Our daily experiences and struggles can be a lot like clouds. Sometimes our adventures are like beautiful reflections of vibrant colors. When things are seemingly going well, we may be happily rejoicing in our blessings. But when our lives turn to difficulties and suffering, it can be like the thunderhead storm clouds, dark and threatening, blocking our view of God and his plans for our life. Yet God is still there, just like the sun behind the clouds. But God is not just passively hanging out in the heavens. He is always at work in our lives, even if he seems absent to us.

The disciples were a lot like us. They had times when they were very sure about Jesus being the Savior. Then there were other times they felt lost and despairing, as when Jesus was crucified on the cross. But God was still with them. Jesus returned after his resurrection and appeared to them on earth for another 40 days before he ascended into heaven to be with the Father. As he was taken up into heaven, Jesus was literally hidden from their view by a cloud. The disciples stood there, looking for him in the sky. Jesus had told them their job was to be his witnesses, and the angels told them Jesus would return in the same way he left. So they were to continue living by faith, even though they could no longer see Jesus. Let us also always remember that we walk by faith, not by sight, that God is always with us and that Jesus will return again one day.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After Jesus 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 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 1:8-11 (NIV)

Dear Jesus in heaven, we thank you and praise your holy name for all you have done, dying on the cross in our place, rising again, and ascending into heaven to be with the Father.  May your Holy Spirit sustain our faith and help us to be witnesses to the whole world.  In your name we pray, Amen.

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Song:

WALK BY FAITH

Jeremy Camp

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2 Corinthians 5:7

We walk by faith, not by sight.

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers:

Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Collette Phillips, Cathy Friberg, and  Corinne Mustafa

Occasional Contributors:

Kathy Bireley,  Lynda Kinnard, Mary M. Wilkins,

Terri Baker, Beverley Napier, Kelly Dobyns

Glenna Williamson,  Shelly Keith, Amie Spruiell,

Lisabeth Lipp,  and Nandita Bhatnagar