Unstoppable! 'Mystery' — Acts 1:7-11

Thursday, January 9, 2025

[Jesus] replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times [for restoration of the Kingdom], and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!"

— Acts 1:7-11 NLT

Key Thought

Some things are clouded in mystery. Jesus didn't answer the apostles' question about the time for the restoration of the Kingdom (Acts 1:6). He did, however, remind them of three truths. First, they would receive power to do what he had called them to do. Second, they needed to quit worrying about when the Kingdom would come. Third, they instead needed to focus on being witnesses for him. The Lord also promised us power to accomplish his mission. Let's refuse to be distracted by what remains a mystery and focus on doing the work Jesus has called us to do!

Today's Prayer

O Lord, I am easily distracted. Help me as I commit to focus on what I know you want me to do and to be less drawn toward mysteries about things I cannot know. I want my life to matter eternally. I want my influence to be used to draw people to Jesus. Please, O Lord, don't let distractions rob me of accomplishing these goals. In Jesus' powerful name, I ask for this help. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

64 Related Resources by Heartlight

Mission
Devo: Unstoppable!
"[Jesus] replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times [for the restoration of the Kingdom], and they are not for you to..."
Don't Just Stand There
Devo: Unstoppable!
"As [the disciples] strained to see [Jesus] rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are..."
Power for the Interim
Devo: Together in Christ
"[In response to a question about when he would free Israel and restore the kingdom, Jesus] replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those....."
Waiting in Jerusalem to Begin
Devo: Unstoppable!
"So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?" He replied,..."
See All 64 Related Resources about Acts 1:7-11

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 1:7-11 NLT — [Jesus] replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times [for restoration of the Kingdom], and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, January 9, 2025

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Standing in the Light' (Ep. 5:7)
"Dear Father, Keep me from being silent when your cause is threatened by evil people, even though I and my family and the people I care about may..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Head-to-Toe in the Full Armor of God'
"Dear Faithful Follower, Some of the churches in your day are skilled at drawing big audiences. Many more congregations, both large and small, need to..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Good People See' (Ps. 107:42)
"Good people see [all GOD's deeds of compassion] and are glad; bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'God's New Temple' (Re. 3:13)
"[In his revelation to John, Jesus said,] "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.""

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!