Jesus gave His followers the mission, but He would not allow them to begin it in their own strength. They had to wait for the promised power of the Holy Spirit. Ask Yourself - Am I trying to accomplish something God has called me to do through my own strength? - Can I obey God when His instruction is simply to wait? - Do I recognize how completely dependent I am upon the Holy Spirit? - Am I willing to follow not only God's direction but also God's timing? God's work must be done in God's power and in God's timing.

I am struck with this verse and began looking at this in the form of a question in Luke 6:22 “what blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.”… as we each begin to take a moment, pause and reflect on this as a question then read on Jesus tells us to BE HAPPY and leap for JOY for a great reward awaits us in heaven. Ask yourself this question: - what blessings await me on the other side of this life? - how should I respond when treated this way?

Judas was close to Jesus outwardly, but Scripture reveals unbelief and hidden sin within his heart. Satan's involvement did not remove Judas's responsibility, nor could it stop God's plan through Christ. Ask Yourself - Am I simply around the things of God, or is my heart truly surrendered to Him? - Is there anything God has revealed in me that I keep allowing instead of bringing into the light? - When God exposes something in my heart, do I respond quickly in repentance and obedience? “Being close to the things of Jesus is not the same as surrendering my heart to Jesus; I want my outward walk and inward heart to belong fully to Him.”

It’s not just about receiving from God—it’s about returning to Him. Ask Yourself: - Do I respond quickly when God speaks? - Do I recognize what He’s done—or move on? - Do I return to Him with gratitude? - Am I seeking what He gives—or Him? Obedience brings breakthrough—but gratitude brings you back into relationship and deeper wholeness. “Move when God speaks—and don’t forget to return and honor Him.”

God doesn’t just pursue those who wander—He also uncovers what has been hidden, because it still has value. Ask yourself: - Is there anything in my life that has been “covered” that God is revealing? - Have I mistaken being “still” for being aligned? - Am I allowing God to bring light into hidden places? - When He reveals something, do I respond? “Even what is hidden or buried is still valuable to God—He brings light to restore it.”