Acts 1:1-11
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about’ (Acts 1:11, NIV).

Christ continues to lead His church. Following his resurrection, the Scriptures say that He appeared many times to the disciples and taught them about the kingdom of God. On His final day of  departure, He spoke to them saying, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father promised, which you have heard me speak about” (Acts 1:11). That is the heart of the Father. He wants us to have the best.

The Holy Spirit transformed the first disciples from weak men and women to believers set on fire by the Lord. They were later accused of turning their world upside down (see Acts 17:6). The message for us today is that the church must continue to pay attention to the voice of the Master and follow His leading.

He led us from the beginning and wants to continue to lead us. As the Good Shepherd, He wants to lead us so that we do not follow the enemy, the stranger. When we pay attention to Him as a church, our meetings will come alive. It will be filled with the presence of God. When we pay attention to His voice as individual we will become men and women who are led by Him, living a victorious life.

It is my hope that we will receive the strength and grace to seek Him afresh until we begin to hear His voice speak to us on a regular basis. May the Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd continue to lead and speak to us. Amen.

Your Turn

• Thank God for today.
• Praise Him for His manifold blessings and love for us and the church at large.

Hymn: Crown Him with many crowns.

Reading through the New Testament: John 20