A New Way to Live

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:1-17)

Sometimes, after having been sick with the flu or perhaps down with a chronic pain, we wake one morning and find that we feel so much better. Our stomach isn't doing flip-flops or that painful ankle seems to be functioning perfect once again. We feel new and fresh. It always feels great to feel good once again. Can you relate? Have you ever experienced this renewed feeling?

There is a similar feeling, only even more powerful, when we accept Christ into our lives. There is an Easter morning feel to things. There is a joy, a new outlook on life. There is freedom and clarity and a sense of "I'm not alone." And all this is true. Recognizing Jesus is our Savior awakens a new life, a guilt free way to live. Do you know this feeling?

Easter morning is the start of something new. Perhaps for some it was a reminder of our forgiven state, of how much we are loved. For others, new to the faith, it may be one of many 'firsts' we experience. A fresh new life is there for the taking. Because He Lives, we can claim our place at His side in eternity. Because He Lives, we do too.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Unfinished Business

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

John 21:15-19

Easter is the annual apex of Christian joy. Gathered with the largest crowds we’ll see this year, we shout, “He is risen!” and “He is risen indeed!” We sing praise before celebrating with feasting and fun for the little ones and then …

We go back to work. Back to the same old routine. Back to our unfinished business.

The story of Peter isn’t that different. Easter came. Jesus rose. Peter rejoiced. And when all the excitement died down, Peter went back to work. Back to his unfinished business.

Peter was a fisherman, but his unfinished business wasn’t fishing. He cast his net racked by guilt. In the hour of trial, when the Lord’s life was on the line, Peter denied knowing Jesus thrice.

Peter wasn’t expecting the Lord to come to his workplace that day. Jesus came anyway. He called to Peter from the shore, and Peter swam to him. Then, on the shore, Jesus and Peter talked about this unfinished business. 

It’s tempting to think Peter was right: that the unfinished business was the shame of his denial, that the Lord had to remove that by giving Peter the opportunity to thrice proclaim his love. But the truth is that guilt was removed by the cross. Those things that weighed Peter down came not from the reality of his standing before his Lord, but from his misperception thereof.

The unfinished business the Lord had in mind wasn’t finished on the shore that day. The true unfinished business was the feeding of the lambs, which symbolized Peter’s role in building up the church, caring for the body of believers, and spreading the good news of God’s grace.

Our unfinished business is much the same. Easter behind us, we must realize that the guilt of our sin is gone and that the Lord has work for us to do. It’s the same work he had for Peter: build up the Lord’s church, care for the body of believers, and spread the good news of God’s grace. 

Always Remember

The Faithful King

I grew up in a Catholic family, attended parochial grade school and therefore experienced my First Communion as a 4th or 5th grader. This was such a big day for me, as our class studied and prepared for months to take our First Holy Communion together as a class. If I am honest though, I remember this day because I had to share this celebration with my sister and my mom. As luck would have it, my special day also fell on Mother's Day and my sister's birthday.

Now, as an adult, I realize it isn't the day that is special or note worthy, it is the experience. And it isn't an event I can only observe once. No, Holy Communion is celebrated many times though out the year. In fact, that is how God ordained it to be. He instructed His disciples to 'do this in remembrance of Me.'

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. (Mark 14:22-23)

Today, Maundy Thursday we go through all the motions and emotions of Jesus’ Last Supper. But mostly we remember…

Mark 14:22-26

February 14, 2018

Psalm 19:1-4

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2019%3A1-4&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

Valentine’s Day is traditionally a day to show how much you love your spouse, your children, or your significant other. Children exchange Valentine’s Day cards at school. Couples go out for dinner. Gifts are given like flowers, candy or jewelry. But this year was different.

 

On February 14, 2018, at about 2:00pm a young man walked into a Florida high school and began shooting. By the time he was done, seventeen people were dead! Where is God in this? How is God revealed through something as senseless as this?

 

David endured much tragedy in his life. He first came on the scene by killing Goliath with his sling shot. He led the armies of the nation of Israel in battle and killed his “tens of thousands”. He became a legend which eventually lead to King Saul trying to kill him by sending his army chasing David around the countryside.

 

Yes, David knew what death and destruction was like. I’m sure he personally knew men who were killed in battle; whose families mourned the loss of their loved ones. After all, war is hell. Yet in Psalm 19 he wrote about the Glory of God and how God is revealed in our world.

 

¹ The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
² Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
³ They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard
⁴ Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world.          NLT

 

So how do we respond after the Valentine’s Day massacre of 2018? Do we put our hands up in the air and cry “Woe is me”? Is it hopeless? Or, like David, do we turn to our Creator and look for how He is revealed in our world?

 

Besides this past Wednesday being Valentine’s Day, it was also Ash Wednesday; the beginning of Lent. Lent quickly takes us to Good Friday and Easter. God showed His love for you and for me by sending His one and only son to die for us. He revealed Himself to us through His son.

 

Death does not have the final word. God does.

 

 

 

He Is Risen!

John 20:1-18

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Unlike Matthew, Mark and Luke’s gospel readings on Jesus’ resurrection, focusing on the angelic appearance of the angels and Jesus, John approached the story of the empty tomb from the human response.

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark and found the stone removed from the entrance. She went immediately to the disciples to tell them.

John and Peter raced to the tomb. John arrived first, stopped, peered inside but did not go in. Peter flew right past John and entered the tomb.  Perhaps Peter was anxious about what Jesus would think of him after his betrayal and wanted to make things right. John responded quite differently. He paused outside of the tomb, possibly reflecting on all that had happened and just what it might mean. John 20:9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Mary Magdalene, though she was the first one there before sunrise and remained after the disciples had gone, did not grasp the meaning of the empty tomb. Though told by two angels and Jesus himself she did not comprehend. Finally when Jesus called her by name she believed, listened to Him, and left to deliver His message to the disciples.

We have many like Peter in our churches, anxious about being there because of past wrongs, or fearful of judgment from others and the Lord. There are others similar to John, keeping their emotions to themselves. Those not so anxious who have a good relationship with God and know they are beloved by Him. Then there are those like Mary, stuck in their faith, though they hear the Good News, are unable to internalize it because of bad things that have happened in their lives.

All of us have been lost no matter where we are now in our faith journey. Think back to when you began a serious walk with the Lord. Was there someone beside you, or in the background cheering you on and praying for you? Do you know someone who is hiding from God or has so much baggage from their past they are unable to feel his love?

Consider this Easter a new beginning for them. With your love and guidance they may finally be able to realize the promise that awaits them in Jesus’ death and resurrection!  Help another come alive in Christ. What an amazing gift!

Read/Listen to John 20:1-18

Easter Sunday The Resurrection

No matter how you say it, write it, sing it, shout it, or paint it............
He is Risen!
     (Watch this link!)

A Spring Experience

This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it...Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 118:24,29)

After a particularly long winter, the first day we walk outside and breathe in spring air, we might actually say, "This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice..."  I know I think these words if I don't say them out loud.

When we work our way through a winter season, one with lots of pain and heartache, we often ask ourselves, "Will we ever smile again?"  It is the spring sunshine that brings new hope to us.  It is the colorful landscape which fills us with fresh feelings laced with peace.

As we approach Holy Week, we often think on a deeper level, all Jesus has done for us.  Even when we just experienced an intense winter, the thought of Jesus on the other side of this season, helps us to "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good." Contemplating the happenings of Holy Week starting with the joyous celebration on Palm Sunday we are mindful of pain and suffering.

I prepare to travel in my mind, the dark road to the Cross, memories of years gone by surface and I am reminded of the many Lenten and Easter Seasons observed with my husband.  I reflect on the fun we had hiding Easter baskets and the family dinners shared on Easter Sunday.  They all mean something different now. When I attend worship service on Easter Sunday, the experience is different and meaningful in a brand new way.

I know that my Savior, who made the ultimate sacrifice for me, also made that sacrifice for my husband and I am assured that I will see him again.  The Good News doesn't get any better than that for me!  Alleluia!

Psalm 118:19-29

The Story – Chapter 26 – The Hour of Darkness

Luke 22: 39-53

Matthew, Mark and John wrote of the same exact experience as this passage in Luke. Their words may vary, but the stories corroborate each other. Today’s reading in Luke revisits the time when Jesus and his disciples were at the Mount of Olives and Jesus instructed them to “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He then went a short distance away, fell to his knees, and prayed like no one else can. He was in agony, knowing  the night of his crucifixion was very near. He prayed fervently, dreading the cross but submitting himself to his heavenly Father’s higher purpose.

The Journey (Bible For Seeking God and Understanding Life) says something I must share regarding the heart of Jesus, and how we can take example from Him in one of His darkest moments. “We will face deep anguish in our life-everyone does. When that happens you can do what Jesus did; PRAY. Pray hard, pray deep, pray honestly, pray out all your feelings-not a formula. Pray until you sweat and cry and fall down in exhaustion. Pray with others. Pray alone. Pray as long as it takes, and then pray longer. Pray because nothing else works, and keep praying when it doesn’t seem to work. Pray because Jesus prayed, pray because you want to pray, pray because you don’t want to pray. Pray out loud, pray quietly. Pray whenever you think about it, pray instead of just thinking about it. Pray when you walk and when you drive and when you wake up and when you go to sleep. Pray before you forget. Pray right now.”

This 3 minute video is worth watching:

John Piper - Prayer Causes Things to Happen

 Read/Listen to Luke 22: 39-53

Mark 16: 1-8 He Is Risen!

"He is not here."
What do you mean He is not here? He was put through intense torture and ridicule, crowned with thorns, nailed to a wooden cross and left to die just hanging there! His body was laid within this tomb upon bloody cloaks once it was finished. A large stone secured the entrance. It was a stone no man could move on his own. This place was guarded. Now he is gone?

A young man dressed in a white robe was within the tomb. How could that be? He told the female visitors not to be alarmed. "You are looking for Jesus of Nazarene, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."

He Is Risen: Listen...and turn it up!

Read "The Resurrection" passage
Listen to "The Resurrection" passage

Mark 15:21-37

"At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:33-34)

What does it take to get to the place where we wonder if God has abandoned us?  I don't think I have ever been that low yet.  I have felt pain and wondered where everyone had gone - but that was only a momentary feeling. I have not suffered physical and emotional and spiritual pain all at once.

I am sure those suffering from devastating illnesses or injuries have experienced this type of emotion.  This is another good reason to live close to God, to stay within arm's reach, or a knee-bend, of His presence.  When we are so comfortable we can talk to God, to cry out as Jesus did and not need to fear how our pleading will be received, that is a relationship that will stand forever.

God's heart must have broken when He heard His Son cry out.  But He knew the Resurrection was coming, Easter Sunday was and is, just around the corner.  See you at the foot of the cross on tomorrow.  It will be quite a celebration!

Read Mark 15:21-37 here

Listen to Mark 15:21-37 here

Easter Morning Matthew 28:1-10

Easter morn and He is risen!
Oh Yes, He is risen indeed.

Easter morn and He is risen!
The Father's will, He did heed.

The sun is up let's celebrate,
Oh Yes, He is risen, indeed.

Our sins are gone both small and great.
All of our debts are washed clean.

The sun is up let's celebrate.
Tell me do you know what that means?

Jesus' risen, He reigns supreme!
All of our debts are washed clean.

Our souls for him He did redeem.
The angels proclaim, "He's not here".

Jesus' risen, He reigns supreme!
We no longer have to fear.

Easter morn and He is risen!
The angels proclaim, "He's not here".

Easter morn and He is risen!

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Matthew 28:1-10

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

It is Friday, but Sunday is coming!  How many times have we heard this shout during Holy Week? To the world, this merely means it is Friday -- the last day of work -- time to party.  Christians the world over recognize this line and know that it is Good Friday, but Easter Sunday is coming.

On the first Good Friday, the disciples experienced the loss of Jesus, their friend and teacher and a man they loved deeply.  The violent death of Jesus caused them to be afraid and to run.  They still didn't get it, didn't quite grasp what Jesus had been telling them.  Sometimes we too experience fear when someone we love dies.  

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

Because of Easter Sunday and the Resurrection we celebrate each year, there is such a difference in how we Christians mourn the loss of a loved one. It still hurts, there are still many tears and much sadness, but the difference lies with the fact we know for sure we will see that person again.  We are confident that Jesus is waiting to usher him/her into His house.  This is why Easter is such a glorious time of celebration each year.

Hang on, it is Saturday, but Sunday is coming!

Read the entire passage for today here at Biblegateway and the Message.

 Or read here for NIV interpretation.