Heaven's Need to Know Basis

S - "For 40 days after Jesus had suffered and died, he proved in many ways that he was alive. He appeared to them and spoke about God’s kingdom. … When they were with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to restore Israel as a kingdom?” Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.”" Acts 1 TS

O - Humans want to know the plan and heaven wants us to know a person.  Humans get focused on theological understanding and heaven is focused on personal interaction according to the Spirit. Heaven wants us to stay focused (in heart, thought, word and deed) on Jesus; not theological considerations "inspired" by someone's read of Scripture. "Witnesses of me" is the point.   

A - The Good News heaven sends to the whole world (7.7 billion people) is a person, not a plan, a book or a place.  Religion wants its adherents to do witnessing and heaven wants us to be witnesses; material witnesses not the purveyors of scripturally inspired theories and hearsay. When heaven marshalled all its resources to harrow hell and forever change the eternal destiny of the human race it stacked it all behind a face so that we would know that we are loved and wanted not just well resourced. Jesus comes to affirm the most important conclusion heaven wants all people to know:  We are loved and wanted at our worst! He says to me and to all: "If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light."

P - Almighty God who gives Jesus to the world,

Thank you for loving us first and most and for refusing to change your mind; for giving us Jesus so we can know and experience you and your love. Since he is the exact representation of you it is my pleasure and duty to keep my life's focus in word, deed and heart on him.  I welcome this privileged assignment and way to live.

Loving you back in Him,

Steve