The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day seven)

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. vs 45

Before they could go and preach the Gospel, Jesus helped them remove the barriers that were clouding their understanding. All of a sudden, Scripture came alive. They were remembering and understanding all that Jesus had taught and done. It was an “aha!” moment. Should it be a surprise that what followed was joy and obedience? Should it be a surprise that they began worshipping with boldness?

Yes, encountering the risen Christ and watching Him ascend into heaven had a big part to play in these things, but when Scripture comes alive in our hearts and minds we truly begin to change.

The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

We were not present to see Him ascend into heaven, but we all have had those “aha!” moments where Scripture comes alive and we encounter the risen Christ through His word, with His Spirit. When we do, we cannot help but begin to change. Through Scripture we can find joy. Through His Word, we will become more obedient. With His Spirit we will worship with boldness.

Holy Spirit Come!

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day six)

One of the most beautiful things about the gospel is that it never stands still—it always faces two directions.

Inwardly, it transforms who we are, not just as individuals, but as a community. Through the forgiveness won at the cross, we are adopted as sons and daughters of God. Our identity changes. Our lives begin to reflect new characteristics—grace, humility, joy, and love—that make God’s Kingdom visible in the world.

Outwardly, the gospel moves. It cannot help but travel—from person to person, community to community—blessing, proclaiming, inviting.

So let’s ask:

What direction is the gospel facing in your life today?

In our church family?

May it shape us deeply—and send us boldly.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day five)

What an amazing passage!  The disciples receive much needed clarity and are commissioned to take the gospel to the nations beginning with Jerusalem. I think I would have immediately run down the hill and started immediately sharing, teaching, and preaching. Yet, Jesus tells them to wait. Almost counter intuitive. READY! SET! WAIT!
Here’s the incredible thing- that’s exactly what they do. There is that must trust and submission in their hearts. So what we see is obedience from the disciples. They do exactly what Jesus tells them to do. Our trust and submission to the Lord, should always lead to obedience because His plan, His promises, and His timing are always perfect.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day four)

It’s easy to read the ascension of Jesus and consider it the “end” of his story. After all, he doesn’t have any more lines on the page, does he? But the ascension is not an end. Rather, the ascension is where the Biblical narrative and our present reality meet. Jesus ascended to the Father not to live in heavenly obscurity, but to take his place at the right hand of the God, where his ministry on our behalf continues. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:34 that Jesus remains at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. That is still true at this very moment. We have our risen savior interceding on our behalf, and the very Spirit of God dwelling within us, speaking what he hears from the Father. Even in hardship, darkness, and suffering, we lack no good thing. In the work and ministry of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, we have everything we need.

 

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day three)

“You are witnesses of these things.”

The passage states that Jesus “opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” This action Jesus took was not a hidden, mysterious process. Rather, the gospel writer goes on to explain what Jesus actually did in opening the disciples’ minds: he identified recent events with the scriptures’ teaching about the Messiah, and he confirmed that they had experienced what it’s like when prophecies get fulfilled. In other words, he reframed everything they had been through so that they could see it in a new way – if they would. The Lord continually brings people to this new kind of sight. Later, Paul says, “in my weakness I am strong.” That’s not a word game. He’s saying that weakness partners him with the Lord in a way he could not have otherwise experienced. God can reframe your life that way.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day two)

And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,  and were continually in the temple praising God. v. 52-53

At first this seems like something of a paradox; Jesus leaves the disciples, and they are filled with great joy. Surely they would be filled with sadness and despair as the Lord leaves them. Each of the previous encounters with the resurrected Jesus they were fearful, grieving, unsure, but not this time, so what changed? This may be one of the few times when they saw, heard, and understood at the same time. Everything Jesus said about himself had come to pass, and this was even more evidence of his promises fulfilled. He had promised not to leave them comfortless, and they were fully trusting in this. So often, like the disciples, we don’t see clearly, but persistent faith will result in rejoicing. May we never take our eyes off the risen savior, and may our mouths be continually filled with praise.

Re:Verse passage – John 16:5-16 (day seven)

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away. John 16:7

W.W.J.D. took over the 90’s Christian Merch and Book Stores. Everyone had one of these bracelets, and I bet you did too! It was an easy way for us to ask ourselves “What Would Jesus Do?” It was intended to help us apply Jesus to every scenario of our day. It might be easy to poke fun at this trend, but it was a great tool to use for evangelism and personal growth. However, what we may or may not have recognized in the 90’s was that this whole concept has more to do with the Holy Spirit than it does Jesus as a person. It is only possible for us to walk like Jesus because He left us and sent His Spirit to guide us. When we rely on the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our life, it will appear as though we were doing what Jesus did as it makes us more like Him. Us asking “What Would Jesus Do?” is actually a sanctifying encounter with the Holy Spirit.

Maybe we should bring the fad back!

Re:Verse passage – John 16:5-16 (day six)

Sorry for the late start, friends.

I’ve been in New York City for almost a week now. It’s an incredible place—teeming with life, a constant rhythm of movement, and the hustle and bustle of every nation under heaven. Right now, I’m sitting outside a bagel shop on the Upper West Side. People are on the move—coming and going, laughing with friends, couples sharing breakfast, cyclists weaving by, runners, dog walkers, shop owners opening up for the day.

New York City is a microcosm of humanity in a way San Antonio is not. And it is good. It gives me joy.

Joy, because for a few days I’m among a dense crowd of people who—by their very existence—reflect the glory of God. Just being human. The imago Dei. And yet, most are far from God.

This week, I’ve been reminded of God’s deep love for people. We know that love because He sent Jesus—who died and rose again—to call people back to Himself. To walk with Him.

In John 16:8, Jesus says that God loves people so much that He sends the Holy Spirit to help them see reality clearly:

To recognize sin, to see righteousness revealed in Christ, and to know that a choice must be made about which kingdom they’ll belong to.

And here’s the amazing part: the Holy Spirit works through His church. We are His presence here. His light in places like New York City.

Wherever we are—in the bustle, the quiet, or the in-between—He’s inviting people home. Through us.