Verse-a-day 9 May 2013
Ascension is an answered prayer
Quintus Heine
Acts 1:8-9 "But 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 he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
The Ascension of Jesus Christ as the Son of God is one of the major events that is not always appreciated. This is one of the biggest answers to prayer in the Bible. Jesus spent his life as a prayer to God, so that man's sins could be forgiven. The fact that God takes Jesus into heaven is proof that God accepted Jesus' sacrifice for mankind's sin. With it, God announces that the earthly mission of Jesus is complete. Now Jesus is with God on the throne and with God, he reigns over Christ’s followers (the Church).
Ascension Day marks the beginning of a new era for Christians. Now they must be witnesses of Christ and preach the gospel to all people. Now Christians must fulfil Jesus’ prayer that all people must believe. One way to do this is by translation and distributing God's Word, the Bible, in all languages so that everyone may have an affordable Bible of their own. The translation and distribution of the Word of God is the mission undertaken by the Bible Society.
The Bible Society is an Ascension organisation which stands under the command of Acts 1:8 and 9. Many selfless hours go into fulfilling the great commission. You can become part of it by praying every day for the translation of the Bible. Pray that the Bible will gain access to people's homes and hearts so that Jesus will be recognised as the Lord who ascended into heaven. You can also become part of this great work by supporting the Bible Society financially and sponsoring a Bible each month. Visit the Bible Society’s website for more information – www.biblesociety.co.za.
Prayer: Lord, help me to fulfil the great mission of your ascension by helping to spread your gospel. Amen