Tag Archives: christianity

First Responders

Posted on by

We should be very thankful for First Responders. They are true servants, willing to be called on at anytime—night or day—to help people in trouble. These highly trained professionals often arrive first at the scene of an emergency, not knowing what they will be facing. No matter what, they are expected to take action in crisis situations. Because of their hours of intense training, they are equipped to handle just about anything.

I couldn’t do it.
In high-pressure situations, I tend to freeze.
And then cry.
And then pass out, if blood is involved.

First responders don’t ask who is in trouble, or what caused the incident, or how the situation escalated. They just go as fast as they can to whoever needs rescue. They’re not motivated by public recognition, medals of honor, or accolades on Facebook. Caring for people and the community is what drives them.

Could I be a first responder of a different kind?

I’ve been training in the ways of Christ for over 50 years now.
I’m aware of the dangers that living in this fallen world can create.
Am I willing to enter into perilous places for the sake of rescuing others?
Can I be someone who responds first by
noticing a need,
offering a hand,
running into the fire,
if necessary?

The world needs true servants, willing to be called on anytime—night or day.

“Be merciful to those who doubt;
save others by snatching them from the fire.”
Jude 22-23

Going, Going, Gone

Posted on by

Happy Ascension Day!

I never paid much attention to Ascension Day, and for many believers, this day will go by unnoticed. In some countries, it’s a public holiday with government offices, schools and businesses closed. In their experience, when a king or queen ascends to the throne, it’s cause for great celebration.

“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11

What a dramatic exit! Jesus was going away for good this time. He had been coming and going for 40 days, but this was it. His feet left the ground and He levitated higher and higher. The disciples witnessed the whole thing, until a cloud got in their line of sight.

They stood there, staring into the sky. Whoever saw anything like it? A man floating up into the clouds! Who could have looked away at such a sight? Eleven men strained to see, with necks stretched back, heads cocked to the side. Oh, surely Jesus was smiling. Just think of His own excitement in returning to heaven, to His Father, to a victory party and coronation. Perhaps He had a tinge of sadness leaving His Men of Galilee, but He had confidence in the Holy Spirit to carry on the mission in them.

Then a voice said, “Why are you standing here looking skyward?” Surely more smiles, right? The angelic messengers had bombshell information: the very same Jesus would return in the same way He left.

He left physically.
He will come back in the same way.
He left visibly.
He will come back in the same way.
He left from the Mount of Olives.
He will come back in the same way.
He left in the presence of the disciples.
He will come back in the same way.
He left blessing His church.
He will come back in the same way.*

What will you do today to celebrate your crowned King
who sits on His throne with authority and power?
Look intently up into the sky for a few minutes?
Kneel before the glorious and majestic King Jesus?
Or, like the disciples, go out worshiping Him with great joy?

“God exalted Jesus to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name.”
Phil. 2:9

*David Guzik commentary