MONDAY August 29, 2022

A Joyful Return

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 1:12-14

The disciples traveled on a road; they took a path that led them back to Jerusalem. They walked back to the city, about a ½ mile and waited. The disciples were obedient to what Jesus commanded them to do:

...He [Jesus] commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5).

Remember, when the disciples were sad and disillusioned by Jesus’ death on the Cross, they scattered and fled; but now they had seen the Risen Christ. Together, they gazed up into heaven and watched His Ascension. Jesus was taken out of their sight.

Full of joy and with hearts more aflame, they obediently waited in the upper room for the Holy Spirit to come. The flame of their first love was reignited in their love relationship with Jesus. There was so much excitement and the love of Christ flowing among them, that we can truly witness in returning to the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, they had returned to their first love.

Do you need to return to the place of your first love, when you were on fire for God? Spend time with Jesus. Then your heart will be full of joy, as you ignite the flames of your first love.

To every soul, God will look like its first love because He IS its first love. Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it––made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand.
~C.S. Lewis~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!