Knowing that the grave is empty sets our hearts at ease if we know Jesus. Knowing the person who rose from the grave is only thing in life that matters. As we celebrate Easter this year, I pray that we will re-discover the true meaning of the resurrection.
The empty grave is a great lesson of how Jesus works today:
1. It is empty for He conquered our sin and death!
2. He calmly walked out of the grave to continue the work of the Father in saving and restoring lives.
3. It was witnessed by more than one to confirm the reality of the work of Christ.
4. It serves as a reminder that no one else can do what Jesus did for us!
Are you celebrating Easter? Jesus is alive! He is risen indeed!
Blogging for the purpose of Spiritual Growth and Edification
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
God Provides
From money to health, job to family issues, God is always able to meet our needs. Ironic in the course of life is that we know this but often fail to apply this to our days progress. Worry and fear are more common among us Christians than ever before.
Why?
Our relationship with Christ should be our first priority. It is so much more than a "get out of hell free card". It is our source of life. Lost in all of our activities are the basic disciplines that reinforce the faithfulness of God. We do not pray listening. We do not spend much time reading His love letter to us. We fail to take the time each day to praise Him!
Nothing can compare to who God is and how He cares for us. Nothing! May we realize the importance of spending time with Him and may the relationship that He bought and paid for be more than religious activity and mere thought in our lives.
God does provide!
Why?
Our relationship with Christ should be our first priority. It is so much more than a "get out of hell free card". It is our source of life. Lost in all of our activities are the basic disciplines that reinforce the faithfulness of God. We do not pray listening. We do not spend much time reading His love letter to us. We fail to take the time each day to praise Him!
Nothing can compare to who God is and how He cares for us. Nothing! May we realize the importance of spending time with Him and may the relationship that He bought and paid for be more than religious activity and mere thought in our lives.
God does provide!
Psalms 31:23-24
23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful , And fully repays the proud person.
24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.
NKJV
23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful , And fully repays the proud person.
24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.
NKJV
Friday, February 26, 2010
The need for FOCUS
Over the last few weeks I have thought much about the word FOCUS. One might even find humor in the idea that I am focusing on FOCUS. But the lack of focus among Christians has now become our greatest need in America. Where did our focus go?
Our focus is now on things that in eternity do not matter. We concentrate on money, plans, likes, eating, fun, and of course our jobs. The problem is that there is NO time left for the one who saved us. There are so many things occurring in our lives that the reality of Christ is far from our first thoughts during a day. Have we forgotten our first love? It is true that we can see many families crashing into dysfunction from a loss of focus on family. I think the same is even more true when comes to our relationship with Christ.
May we focus on Him and all of His greatness today - and everyday!
Our focus is now on things that in eternity do not matter. We concentrate on money, plans, likes, eating, fun, and of course our jobs. The problem is that there is NO time left for the one who saved us. There are so many things occurring in our lives that the reality of Christ is far from our first thoughts during a day. Have we forgotten our first love? It is true that we can see many families crashing into dysfunction from a loss of focus on family. I think the same is even more true when comes to our relationship with Christ.
Revelation 2:1-5
"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love .
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent."
NKJV
"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love .
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent."
NKJV
FOCUS is a matter of choice. We either chose to place Christ first in everything or we chose to allow all types of other issues and needs to replace Him. I cannot help but to think of the following:
Psalms 36:1-37:1
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.
5 Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen; They have been cast down and are not able to rise.
NKJV
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.
5 Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen; They have been cast down and are not able to rise.
NKJV
May we focus on Him and all of His greatness today - and everyday!
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