DCLM Higher Everyday 29 June 2024 — Fix Your Gaze on Christ
DCLM Higher Everyday 29 June 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Fix Your Gaze on Christ
Topic: Fix Your Gaze on Christ
Text: Acts 1:7-11
7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Key Verse: “Which also said,Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
Message
Jesus had earlier told His disciples that He would go to heaven and prepare a place for them and return to take them to Himself (John 14:2,3). At various times He told them of His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. However, when the time of the ascension came, they seemed unprepared for it. To them, it was a painful parting with Jesus who was from the beginning, whom they heard, saw, gazed upon, and touched with their hands (1John 1:1). Gaze means to fix the eyes in a steady, intent look, often with eagerness or studious attention. The disciples witnessed the ascension of Christ to heaven. They didn’t allow distractions. As Elisha saw Elijah go up to heaven, so the disciples saw their Master go.
Christian youths should emulate this. Looking unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith. Consistent gaze on Christ gave the disciples the right message: “This same Jesus shall come again,” thus compelling them to labour and be ready to meet the Lord. When we meditate on Jesus and His word we gain comfort and encouragement.
Quote: The disciples saw their Master go
Challenge: Fix your gaze on Christ.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to fix my gaze on you always.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
