After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
--Parallel verses:
Proverbs 3:3-7
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Recently, I started a new business in a niche market where this type of professional service is not widely available. My company offers fractional risk management services for small to mid-sized businesses. As I’ve been building it from the ground up, there have been exciting days filled with progress—and other days that feel like setbacks. Some days are consumed with paperwork that doesn’t directly generate revenue.
Yet through it all, God has been faithful. He has consistently provided for our immediate needs—income, food, and stability. Even more, he has confirmed his presence in our lives through the unmistakable work of his hand.
Some beautiful examples of this include: 1) Opportunities to share the gospel with a former colleague and two past clients. 2) Seeing firsthand how sharing the truth of God’s Word—especially about obedience—can lead people to Christ, when it’s done in love. 3) Hearing how scripture memorization strengthens others to stand against temptation. I’ve been working with a few people on a memorization project, and it’s bearing fruit.
In summary, building something from the ground up can be tough—but God always shows up. He confirms his presence and blessing through his works. Even when some areas are challenging, he brings spiritual victories and opportunities to shine his light.
The disciples also experienced this. After Jesus rebuked them for falling away and not believing in his resurrection, they received his correction and chose to move forward in confidence. They served boldly in ministry. Jesus ascended into heaven, continuing to advocate for them before the Father. It was—and still is—a powerful partnership in ministry.
Lord, thank you for your faithful hand in my life. You confirm your presence each day through opportunities to bless others and walk in obedience to your will. Thank you for the reminders of your mighty works. I am blessed and honored to be your humble servant.
