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What direction do you look when life gets hard? Pastor John Jackson takes us on a profound exploration of the spiritual significance behind the simple phrase "look up" in this moving message from Valley Gospel Church.

Starting with Stephen's extraordinary vision in Acts 7:55 of "Jesus standing at the right hand of God," Jackson helps us understand why this detail matters. While Scripture typically describes Jesus as sitting at God's right hand, in this moment of Stephen's martyrdom, Jesus stood—perhaps to receive His faithful servant or to advocate for him before the heavenly courts. This powerful image reminds us that Jesus personally stands for us in our darkest moments.

The message weaves through three key biblical passages, revealing how our spiritual posture of looking upward connects to Christ's return and our ultimate redemption. Pastor Jackson brings fresh insight to Acts 1:10-11, where the disciples gazed heavenward after Jesus' ascension, and Luke 21:28, which instructs us to "look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near" when troubles surround us.

With transparent vulnerability, Pastor Jackson shares his own transformation story: "I had a ticket straight to hell, paid for by my sins, but God looked at me and changed me." His testimony powerfully illustrates how God never puts us down, pushes us down, keeps us down, or lets us down. Instead, every divine interaction lifts us to a higher plane of existence.

Ready for a spiritual perspective shift? This message will help you lift your gaze toward heaven and find hope in the promise that Jesus is personally coming back for you. As Pastor Jackson reminds us through personal stories and Scripture, when everything around us tells us to look down in despair, God's word consistently calls us to look up.