Keep Looking Up
Author: Anne Graham Lotz
Have you ever wondered what happened to the disciples of Jesus?
All of our Lord’s beloved disciples, with the possible exception of John, died a gruesome death. Why? Not for saying Jesus of Nazareth had been crucified—the world knew and confirmed His death. The disciples were tortured, vilified, exiled and executed for saying He had risen from the dead! They were put to death for their conviction that Jesus Christ is alive! And He is Lord!
Have you ever wondered if you could maintain your commitment to Christ under intense pressure and persecution? How can you and I be faithful … to the end?
The Apostle Peter penned a letter to the early church that exuded passionate love for Christ and exuberant joy in knowing Him, even though his relationship with Christ would cost him his life within the year! How could he maintain a joyous, faithful commitment to the end? Because Peter kept looking up.
As we live in a world that is shaken at almost every level and in every area, we too can face tomorrow and maintain our joy because Christ lives! Let’s stay focused on our risen Lord every day—and keep looking up as Peter did!
TODAY’S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, these are such crazy times we’re living in. Every day brings new challenges. But we know that in the midst of any circumstance we only have to look to You to have our joy renewed. Thank You for staying so close to us during this time. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Adapted from “Keep Looking Up,” by Anne Graham Lotz, Decision magazine, April 2020.
Author: Anne Graham Lotz
Have you ever wondered what happened to the disciples of Jesus?
All of our Lord’s beloved disciples, with the possible exception of John, died a gruesome death. Why? Not for saying Jesus of Nazareth had been crucified—the world knew and confirmed His death. The disciples were tortured, vilified, exiled and executed for saying He had risen from the dead! They were put to death for their conviction that Jesus Christ is alive! And He is Lord!
Have you ever wondered if you could maintain your commitment to Christ under intense pressure and persecution? How can you and I be faithful … to the end?
The Apostle Peter penned a letter to the early church that exuded passionate love for Christ and exuberant joy in knowing Him, even though his relationship with Christ would cost him his life within the year! How could he maintain a joyous, faithful commitment to the end? Because Peter kept looking up.
As we live in a world that is shaken at almost every level and in every area, we too can face tomorrow and maintain our joy because Christ lives! Let’s stay focused on our risen Lord every day—and keep looking up as Peter did!
TODAY’S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, these are such crazy times we’re living in. Every day brings new challenges. But we know that in the midst of any circumstance we only have to look to You to have our joy renewed. Thank You for staying so close to us during this time. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Adapted from “Keep Looking Up,” by Anne Graham Lotz, Decision magazine, April 2020.