Video of the Day: Clip from the 1994 movie “The Shawshank Redemption”
Biblical Connection:
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” Acts 1:6-8.
Biblical Connection:
Tim Robbins plays Andrew Dufresne, an innocent banker sent to prison for murdering his wife. Today’s scene occurs after Dufresne is attacked by the Sodomites at Shawshank Prison. This surprise inspection by Wardon Norton serves as a test to see if Dufresne can be trusted. In the days that follow, Andy becomes a financial advisor to prison staff, working directly for the Wardon. This is the beginning of Andy’s redemption story.
Every Christmas and Easter, prodigals return to church seeking some sort of spiritual reboot. If there isn’t a special connection made, these individuals will disappear for months until Christmas. One of the reasons for this abandonment of faith is that Christians don’t know what to do after Easter Sunday. Luke provides the answer in today’s featured passage. Faith is a journey, not a sprint, where you become witnesses for Jesus everywhere you go. This is the Great Commission.
Closing Song:
As I have wrestled with God’s will for my life since moving to South Carolina, I stumbled upon today’s song. When I’m having a bad day at work, I have turned the lyrics of I Give Myself Away into a prayer. Whenever you find yourself wondering, “what should I do now, “give yourself to Jesus.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 