Day 1 - "Everything You Need, Not Necessarily What You Ask"
Passage: Acts 1:1-7 (NIV)

1In my former book, Theophilus, I [Luke the author of Acts is writing] wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

Devotion:

Jesus had spent a lot of time with these men, yet they were still confused. They were confused about His life, His ways, His death, His resurrection, His promises, and His kingdom. I think this is indicated by the disciple's last question of the physical Jesus: "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

They didn't fully understand Jesus' message and his purpose. They took His words and translated them into what they thought He "should" be saying or doing according to their interpretation of Bible prophecy. They thought Jesus was talking about a physical kingdom.

Sometimes I think the Lord must be incredibly frustrated with me as well, when I don't "understand". When I take His words or action and change them into what I think He "should" be saying or doing.

How did Jesus respond? "It is not for you to know..." These words need to be underlined and highlighted in all of our Bibles. When you start to get insistent with the Lord, when you get demanding, or when you think you know better - remember these words: "It is not for you to know!" I don't need to know everything -- the complete master plan, before I do my part. I think that is why a lot of the time we sit on the sideline and don't do what Jesus instructed. We are confused and don't understand why. The Bible doesn't promise understanding before, during, or even after a project. What kind of faith would it take if you always knew the outcome of something before you started?

Question to Ponder:

What do you need to improve upon in this area? For me it was writing this devotion and sharing it with you. I'm stepping out in faith. What about you? What has God called you to do that you don't understand and haven't done?

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