WEEK 5 DAY 2
Gazing at the Glory
Devotional
After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples stood gazing upward until angels essentially asked, "Why are you just standing here?" Their response teaches us something vital about spiritual transformation.
Before we can effectively serve God, we must first truly see Him. The disciples had spent years gazing at Jesus—watching Him heal, teach, die, and rise again. This intentional focus on Christ's character and power became the foundation for everything they would later do.
Today, we gaze at Christ through Scripture, prayer, and worship. This isn't casual glancing but deep, transformative looking that changes how we see everything else. When we truly behold Jesus in His glory, our priorities shift, our courage grows, and our mission becomes clear.
Gazing at Christ isn't passive—it's the active fuel that powers our service. Without this foundation, our ministry becomes mere activity, vulnerable to discouragement and distraction. But when Christ's beauty and worth captivate us, we find strength to face whatever opposition comes our way.
Bible Verse
"And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'" - Acts 1:11
Reflection Question
How are you intentionally gazing at Christ in your daily life, and how has this affected your willingness to serve Him despite challenges?
Quote
If you want to do something for God, there's going to be opposition, there's going to be issues and problems. And if you haven't gazed upon his beauty to know that Christ is worth whatever you're having to bear, then I'm going to tell you, you will give up like millions of others have done.
Prayer
Jesus, forgive me for the times I've tried to serve You without truly seeing You. Draw my gaze back to Your beauty, power, and worth. Let my service flow from a heart captivated by who You are, not just what You ask me to do. Help me to see that You are worth any cost the mission might require. Amen.
After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples stood gazing upward until angels essentially asked, "Why are you just standing here?" Their response teaches us something vital about spiritual transformation.
Before we can effectively serve God, we must first truly see Him. The disciples had spent years gazing at Jesus—watching Him heal, teach, die, and rise again. This intentional focus on Christ's character and power became the foundation for everything they would later do.
Today, we gaze at Christ through Scripture, prayer, and worship. This isn't casual glancing but deep, transformative looking that changes how we see everything else. When we truly behold Jesus in His glory, our priorities shift, our courage grows, and our mission becomes clear.
Gazing at Christ isn't passive—it's the active fuel that powers our service. Without this foundation, our ministry becomes mere activity, vulnerable to discouragement and distraction. But when Christ's beauty and worth captivate us, we find strength to face whatever opposition comes our way.
Bible Verse
"And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'" - Acts 1:11
Reflection Question
How are you intentionally gazing at Christ in your daily life, and how has this affected your willingness to serve Him despite challenges?
Quote
If you want to do something for God, there's going to be opposition, there's going to be issues and problems. And if you haven't gazed upon his beauty to know that Christ is worth whatever you're having to bear, then I'm going to tell you, you will give up like millions of others have done.
Prayer
Jesus, forgive me for the times I've tried to serve You without truly seeing You. Draw my gaze back to Your beauty, power, and worth. Let my service flow from a heart captivated by who You are, not just what You ask me to do. Help me to see that You are worth any cost the mission might require. Amen.