Between the Promise and the Return “It is not for you to know times or seasons…” (Acts 1:7) “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” (Acts 1:11) The disciples stood there staring into the sky, watching Jesus disappear. I imagine they were overwhelmed, hopeful, confused, maybe even a little stunned. And Jesus had already told them something we still struggle to accept: the timing belongs to the Father. We want to know when. When will God move? When will things turn? When will redemption feel closer than disappointment? But heaven’s calendar is not ours to manage. And then the angels gently redirect them: Why are you just standing there? In other words, don’t let hope become passivity. Yes, he is coming back. That is certain. But until then, we are called to pray, to witness, to love, to serve. We look up in hope. Then we step forward in obedience. We don’t control the seasons. We live faithfully within them.

When the Kingdom Is Bigger Than Our Circle In Luke 9:49–50, the disciples tried to stop someone from ministering in Jesus’ name because “he does not follow with us.” Not because he denied Jesus. Not because he opposed the gospel. But because he wasn’t part of their circle. Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” That challenges me. In the church, we will not agree on every secondary issue, including who serves, how they serve, and what that service looks like. We will wrestle with Scripture. We will land on different topics and address difficult ones. But disagreement does not automatically equal opposition to Christ. Sometimes we are more protective of our camp than attentive to the kingdom. As a pastor, I want to help heal, not inflame. I want to hold convictions with humility and remember that Jesus is at work beyond my circle. The kingdom is bigger than our labels. Lord, guard our hearts from pride and insecurity. Keep us faithful to your word and anchored in truth. Where we are right, keep us humble. Where we are wrong, correct us gently. Teach us to recognize your work even when it looks different from what we expect. Protect your church from unnecessary division, and make us people who build up rather than tear down. Give us courage to stand firm and grace to love well. Amen.

Listening for God’s Voice In Matthew 22:43, Jesus said David spoke “in the Spirit.” That reminds me that Scripture is more than words on a page; it is God speaking through human voices. When I read the Bible, I am not just reading something old; I am being invited to hear something living. The same Spirit who breathed truth into David’s words still uses them to speak into my heart today. So I don’t want to rush past Scripture. I want to listen for the God who is still speaking through it. Prayer Lord, quiet my heart when I open your Word. Let your Spirit speak to me through what you have written. In Jesus ' Name, Amen.

What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The power of God not praised. The truth of God not sought. The wisdom of God not esteemed. The beauty of God not treasured. The goodness of God not savored. The faithfulness of God not trusted. The commandments of God not obeyed. The justice of God not respected. The wrath of God not feared. The grace of God not cherished. The presence of God not prized. The person of God not loved. That is sin. John Piper