Mark 16:19-20. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Do not be discouraged, no matter what happens in your life today. Jesus is alive, and that changes everything.
Through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. He broke the chains of sin and darkness that once held us captive. By rising from the dead, He secured eternal redemption for all who believe in His name. We are no longer bound by fear, guilt, or condemnation.
The Bible declares that through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Because of this, we now have confidence to approach God’s throne, where we receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
You are not alone. The same Jesus who walked with His disciples is walking with you today. You are a witness of the living Christ in this generation. So do not fear trials or persecution. The Lord who stood by His people in the past is standing by you now.
When Stephen, the first Christian martyr, faced death, he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. He said, “Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). Jesus had not left him alone, and He will never leave you either.
You may feel weak and fragile like a jar of clay, but what matters most is what is inside you. And you carry the greatest treasure of all—Jesus Christ. That is why, even when you are hard-pressed on every side, you will not be crushed. Even when you are perplexed, you do not need to despair. Even if you are struck down, you will not be destroyed. The power that sustains you is not your own; it comes from God (2 Corinthians 4:7-9).
So begin this day with renewed strength and confidence. Do not be discouraged by what you see or hear. Lift your eyes above your circumstances. The Lord will protect you and carry you through every challenge until the day He calls you home.
Even in the midst of a storm, when Paul was a prisoner for the sake of the gospel, the Lord sent an angel to stand beside him. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you” (Acts 27:24). God preserved Paul’s life and the lives of others on account of the mission he carried, the Roman evangelization. Your calling is just as precious in God’s eyes.
The gospel is so important that God moves even nature for the sake of His messengers. As you walk in God’s covenant for world evangelization, you are playing a central role in the story of redemption. Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). That mission includes you.
Rediscover your identity in Christ. Remind yourself of the true purpose of your life. Don’t let anything in this world deceive you or take away the blessing of sharing the gospel. Don’t be afraid of people. The risen Jesus Himself is working with you today as He did with His disciples with the power of His throne (Mark 16:19-20).
With this promise, He commands us to go and make disciples of all nations, to proclaim the gospel and heal the sick, to strengthen wandering believers, and to raise the next generation from the grip of darkness. This is the mission He has entrusted to you.
So walk in the power of the resurrection. Jesus Christ is alive and living in you.
Prayer. Father, help me to stand as a witness of Christ—the resurrection and the life. Let me experience the power of the risen Jesus in my life, that I may save this generation with the gospel. Help me to enjoy Your presence every moment of this day. Break down all the forces of darkness and unbelief in my life in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.