The Ascension of Our Lord, May 14, 2026

 

The Ascension of Our Lord

A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing                                        TLH 212

• Acts 1:1–11

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

• Ephesians 1:15–23

• Mark 16:14-20

On Christ's Ascension I Now Build   (copyright)                         TLH 216

Hark! Ten Thousand Harps             Neander                                      TLH 221

One-Year Series

Scripture readings

• 2 Kings 2:5–15

• Acts 1:1–11

• Mark 16:14–20 or Luke 24:44–53

Ascension Day Is Tomorrow - Beneficial Bible Habits,

Tomorrow is the day for the Ascension. Today I will write about the beneficial use of the Bible. 

We are a nation with fading, crumbling worship services and endless substitutes. One friend said to me, "The congregation is very small and elderly.

It is good to have a loved Bible (KJV, large print) and a plan to build ways to encourage, new, and renew Bible passages. Regular morning and sleep-time, Bible and prayer, will fashion a habit. That can often be energized.

I like to work on a given Bible book for a period of time. The Proverbs are far better than modern do-it-yourself bookstore advice. My university students were often struck by the modern wisdom they found in the Bible (imagine!).

I decided to use Psalms recently, especially because I wanted learn more of that book. My previous students urged me about Psalm 91, which I have hanging on my wall in the living room. I almost wore it down and immediately added Psalm 37 for almost every day.

I am currently using Palms each day, most of them, and I go back to favorites and especially the classic passages, like Proverbs.