Luke 24:50-53

Rachel Workman: ⁵⁰ Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. ⁵² So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. ⁵³ And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

The scripture uses the word joy a lot. I think it's a word we overuse and when we read it we don't really understand the joy they speak of. This Christmas as we spend time with our family I hope we can reflect on the word joy and understand it's significance better.

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John Burnett:  ⁵⁰ And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵² And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple ^[a]praising God.  He ascended up into heaven where He went to prepare a place for us.  This promise should cause us to worship Him with great joy and praise.

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Monday’s reading for Proverbs 6:12-18

Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
    but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.

¹³ The wicked are trapped by their own words,
    but the godly escape such trouble.

¹⁴ Wise words bring many benefits,
    and hard work brings rewards.

¹⁵ Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to others.

¹⁶ A fool is quick-tempered,
    but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

¹⁷ An honest witness tells the truth;
    a false witness tells lies.

¹⁸ Some people make cutting remarks,
    but the words of the wise bring healing.