Empty

I've been reading recently about the grave of Jesus and those gathered there on that first Sunday morning after His death. I read about it in four different translations of the God's Word. Also, I read a survey article recently that talked about the confusion around the true meaning of Easter. So why all the confusion?

Each Bible I read told the same amazing story. Different people went there and found the same thing. The grave of the Messiah was "Empty." The place where the lifeless body of Jesus had been placed was "empty." Jesus was not there, only His burial clothes remained.

And what about the congregation that morning? Mary Magdalene, the lady that Jesus had removed seven demons from, Peter; the rock, the one who promised to give his life for Jesus but then denied Jesus, and "the one that Jesus loved," John. He was a fast runner according to the biblical accounts I read but he hesitated at the tomb (I'm still thinking about that). But when he finally went into the "empty" grave all the Bibles I read say "he saw and believed!"

I've been thinking about the "empty" grave, the people gathered there, the people Jesus met during His life on earth, and the people Jesus meets today and everyday. We are all different with different stories but we have one thing in common. We believe that the grave is "Empty" because our Lord, Jesus Christ is Risen! That's the true meaning of Easter!

Suggested reading (In any version of the Bible) John 20!

Do you believe?

Lord Jesus, the grave could not hold you, you are Risen! You are with the Father and You will come again to bring us, those that believe and received You as Savior, where You are, to forever be with You. Your grave is empty, You are Risen! Amen!

Friendship

Have you ever accomplished something that you didn't think you could? Recently our dryer quit. It would run but it didn't put out any heat. So I said to myself, "Self" you can do this." But I knew that in order to fix this machine I would need some help. So I called Orbie. He walked me through the process and things were going well until I ran into a problem and Orbie can't see through the phone. So I called David, he lives just down the road for me. He came over, surveyed the situation, found the problem and ordered the part. Well I took it from there. After driving to pick up the part, I installed it, put the dryer back together, and it's as good as knew. The gift of friendship!

That's a lot like life. When problems arise I just have to call on my Friend, the one the sticks closer than a brother. The true Gift of friendship!

Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(NKJV)


How did our grandmothers and moms make it without a dryer?

Lord Jesus, thank you for those you have put in my life to help me along. I call them friend and I call You Friend. Amen.

Miracles

I just had to post this today.

This morning I received a phone call from Aunt Hallie's son Phillip and his words were "you better get down on one knee and praise God!" Now I've been expecting a call that Aunt Hallie had gone on to be with Jesus but that wasn't it today. Listen and believe!

A team of Doc's preformed another test this morning on Aunt Hallie's neck and when they compared the results to the two test taken upon her arival, they were quite surprised. They told the family that "the broken neck didn't look like the one on the other CT-Scans. The bones had re-aligned on their own and had started healing. There is no need of surgery" They also said, "she should have died but she would probably go home in a couple days and there is no injury to the spinal cord." Talk about answered prayers!!

On the phone, some 650 miles apart, Phillip and I prayed together, cried together, and praised God together. I challenged Phillip to return to his first love for he had witnessed a wonderful miracle of God.

Never doubt the Master's hand. Never give up hope! Hold fast to your FAITH!

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Lord Jesus, I know you could call Aunt Hallie home anytime, but I thank you and praise you for today. My spirit is lifted and my heart is overflowing. I stand before You amazed at your greatness. You are awesome! To God be the glory forever. Amen!

"Hey!"

We just finished having our Bible reading together, that is me and my Aprille. Faith is at a Saturday morning practice for the school play. We have been reading Romans together, lots of interesting Bible truth in it. Some of it is deep, difficult, confusing, and some of it is very specific and clear. It's all God's truth.

Well, I turned the page and read the last few verses, and with a sense of joy I turned and looked to Aprille. What? Is she praying? Has the sound of my voice inspired her to seek God? "Hey," I shouted with emphasis and she is startled to attention. "Are you asleep?" I ask, and with her soft little sweet voice she says, "sorry." We laughed and I said, "What better way to fall asleep than to the sound of God's Word."

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 KJV)

Lord Jesus, help us to be faithful. May You find us finding You. Fill us and seal us with Your Word. In the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen.

Lessons

I received one of those dreaded calls last night. My dearest Aunt Hallie fell and broke her neck. This morning's news confirmed my worst thoughts, plus she has a bleed on her brain. This pulls at my heart.

In my hurt for Aunt Hallie, I realize that distance becomes my enemy and life doesn't stand still for me when tragedy comes. The norm becomes the challenge. I also understand that my decisions have taken me far away from those I love dearest, yet strangely, almost mystically, I sense a very comforting peace.

What can I learn from this situation in my life today? Much!

Jesus hurt for me. Jesus knows no distance. Jesus defeated my enemy. Jesus makes my winds and waves to stand still. All things are possible with Jesus. Obedience to Jesus has its rewards. True Love lives in the heart. Jesus is not a stranger. Jesus sent the promised Comforter!

Friends, my escape is Jesus. He is true to His promises. He has proven himself over and over to me, for me. I give Him praise and glory...Praise the Name of Jesus! Amen!

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the [my] hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:27 KJV)

Lord Jesus, hold Aunt Hallie close for me this morning. Hold her tight and love on her. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for being my escape. Amen.

Comment by Linda...March 26 at 7:44pm

I know your hurt. Jesus himself knew your hurt. Remember when he was away ministering and Lazarus' sisters sent him a message to come home? He was several days away from home. The Bible says that he cried. He was sorrowful even though he knew that He had the power to make everything all right again. He grieved even though he knew that what he was about to do would show him victorious over even death. Still He knew the hurt.
The lesson that I've learned? Lay in His arms and cry when you need to, even while you know that He has the power to make it all right again. Lay it all on Him. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. He alone has the power to make beauty from the ashes. That is the basis of our hope. That is also, btw, the basis of "Second Chances". Beauty from ashes.
He's got Aunt Hallie. He's got your mama. He's got Aprille. He's got Faith. He's got your future. It is all His.

Absolutely

Romans 10:4 says it all. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

The Beginning became the "end" so that you and I could have a beginning.


Do you agree?

Assurance

Psalms 37: 23-24
23) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (KJV)

What a promise to the faithful!
What an encouragement to the faithful!
What a comfort to the faithful!
What a reason to be faithful!
What a Friend Jesus is to the faithful!

Lord, you assure us by Your Word. Our hope is found in You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Time....

I've got a confession to make. Sometimes I just want Paul time. I just need to be alone and do what I want to do! Is that wrong?

A few weeks ago I took Faith to the park and I decided that I would sit in the car so I could be alone and read. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't want to play any games with Faith. I just wanted some time to myself.

So while I was sitting in my car reading and minding my own business a car pulls up beside me in the parking lot. I made a very specific effort not to notice them although they parked right beside me when there were many other empty spaces to park. But I just focused on me, my time, and my book.

Well wouldn't you know it, the lady in the car next to me started some small-talk. Then she asked me what I was reading. Then she asked where I was from. My accent gives it away that I'm not from Tennessee. (Now remember, I'm trying to spend time with myself. That's all I wanted to do.) Then she asked me "Why did you move to Tennessee?"

Immediately I thought in my heart, That's it Lord! You win! I put my book down and began telling her my testimony and quizzing her about her life and Spiritual condition. The lady said repeatedly, "You have really nice stories." I told her it was my life and I told her about Jesus too.

I learned that day that Jesus wants my time to be His time. He tells me to be ready at all times to tell people about Him. And He puts people in my path to listen too. I serve an awesome God!

By the way, the book I was reading was Surprising Insights From the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them by Thom Rainer. Now that had to make God laugh a little! I think God was picking on me........

1Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

Lord you got me that time. Thanks for sending Chrissie and draw her close to you. She's a single mom trying to raise her son and she needs to know You personally. Help her to find You and Help me to make all my time Your time. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

What if...

What if...

when I'm trying to get to sleep and I have friends I love on my mind, could it be that the Holy Spirit is prompting me to pray for them because they are in need or maybe they are praying for me at that very moment because of my need? I don't know but I do know that God knows. God knows everything. God knows what I need and God knows what my friends need. God knows our hearts. God knows how to get our attention too. Sleepless nights; sleep-less and pray-more nights!

1Th 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."

what if...You come tonight Lord?

Refreshing truth

Has your life been difficult lately? Are you suffering through life? Do you think the enemy is against you and you only? Are you fighting with all your strength today yet questioning or doubting tomorrow? Do you feel like God has forgotten you, that He doesn't have time for you, or that He doesn't hear your prayers? Let me share God's refreshing truth found in
1 Peter 5: 8-11

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Father, your Word is true. I look to the day when you will restore your creation fully but until that glorious day comes, I will find my strength in You. I claim your promises today for my life. Help me to stand firm in the Lord Jesus. Hold me close. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

feed me

Today I decided to help out the lawn. It was dry and dusty, a sad brown and yellow color. It needed some care. It needed nourishment. So I prepared it by cutting the dead away and raking the surface to break up the hard crust and then I sprinkled it with food and water.

As God's servant, I often find myself in need of His nourishment. I get dry and dusty. I know God sees me as spiritually pale sometimes. But then He goes to work. He prepares me for His nourishment. How awesome is the Spiritual food of God's Word!

Greener days ahead!

Psalm 34:8 "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

Feed me Lord Jesus so I can go forth full of your truth. Amen.

What love is...

When I get hold of the fact that God loved me so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for me, putting all my sin on Jesus so that I could know Him personally by believing on the Son Jesus, I can't help but think that I am special and valuable and important to God, for Him to do all this for me. Thanks God! You're Awesome!

What's really neat; God loves everyone just like He loves me!!

Have you found God, do you know Him? Know God today by finding Jesus today!

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV)

Thank You Father for your unending love and might I add, patience. Thank you for loving me when I was lost and trying to find my way. Thank you for my Savior, Your Son Jesus. In His Name, Amen.

Missed opportunities

I know how it feels to miss out on a God opportunity. I once passed a man pushing his bike along I-440. I remember thinking that he must have some kind of mechanical problem. But I was on my way to college to take an exam and I just went on pass as I watched him in the rear-view mirror. All that day and for weeks afterwards I thought about the young man and how he had needed me to stop and offer him a lift. But no! I had just passed him by, focusing on my own personal and to be completely honest, selfish agenda.

As a way to relieve my own guilt and in an effort to teach others not to make the same mistake which I had made, I used this story as a sermon illustration. It was a powerful story. I brought the congregation right into the moment. It touched hearts including mine. If only I could go back in time and live that moment over. What would have been the outcome? How would the Holy Spirit have responded? But the past is gone. Yesterday's opportunity is missed forever. What a failure on my part!

Well the story doesn't end there! Several weeks later I was traveling that same stretch of busy interstate and to my surprise and joy I saw him again in the distance. And he was pushing his bike. Yes Lord I thought! I merged right through the traffic and pulled off the road just ahead of my highway friend. I offered him a ride and he gladly accepted. We put his bike in the back of my truck and off we went together. He was a Hispanic man who spoke broken English. He was headed close to where I was going. He worked as a gardener. He was a father of three and he knew the Lord as his personal Savior! I question him about why he was pushing his bike. I thought it was broken or something. He smiled and told me that "it was too hard to make it up the hill." Can you believe it! My highway-friend didn't need the Gospel, he just needed help getting up the hill. Does God want us to just help people up the hill sometimes? Duhh!

I dropped him off at the corner. I watch him ride away into the sun. And I thanked God for allowing me a second chance with this young man. I don't remember his name but I will forever remember the experience of missing an opportunity and then being given another. Be ready today for what God has placed before you! God just might want us to help someone struggling to make it up the hill.

Lu 10:33 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion."

Be the helping hand of Christ today!

Forgive us Lord when we miss the mark and help us to do better next time. Amen.

Do we know the meaning?

The holiday is almost here but do we know what it's all about?
Really, what is Easter to us?

Is Easter...

• Rainbow colored eggs or the Resurrected Christ ?
• Chocolate coated bunnies or the Confidence Call of Believers?
• New clothes on Sunday or New Challenge to the saved?
• Finding the most eggs hidden in the bushes and grass or focusing more on eternity and Heaven because there's an empty grave?

Easter is the Day of Victory! Jesus rose from the grave victorious! Friends, our Savior lives!

A recent Barna survey (March 15, 2010) reports, "Those who articulate a resurrected-related concept of Easter are no more likely... to invite friends to worship with them on Easter."

Do we know the meaning of Easter? Are we losing the battle because we do not share the truth of the Gospel; Christ arose! Jesus Lives!

Lord Jesus, like the faithful ladies at Your tomb that glorious Resurrection morning, help us to seek You early. Challenge us to know with confidence in our hearts that Your grave is empty, that You were victorious over death, that You rose again for us. Lord, help us to be bold witnesses for YOU. In Your name, Amen.

Read John 20!

John 20:1 "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb."

Spirit of Healing

Luke 13: 10-17 has been my heart's prayer and confidence these past many months. I see a very close relation between Aprille's difficulties and the woman with the infirmity in the Scripture. I claim Luke 13:13 for Aprille because these two ladies serve the same Lord and Jesus loves both of them and Jesus hears the prayers of His own.

"Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. (Luke 13:10-17 RSV)

Father, I Praise You for you are worthy of my praise. I praise you for the work you are accomplishing in and through Aprille. Be glorified! Be glorified! Amen.

be the on to bring one to the ONE

In John's Gospel we learn that Brother John the Baptist was sent as a "Witness" for the "Light" who was Jesus (John 1:7, 15). But do we miss the truth of the story which is right before our eyes? John , the witnessing one, brought others along with him (John 1:35). Reading we learn that Andrew was a "disciple" of John (John 1:40). When Andrew realized that the "Messiah" was among them, the One which the witnessing one had came to witness of, Andrew went a brought his brother Peter "to Jesus" (John 1: 41, 42a). And what is really neat about the story is that Jesus, the Light, knew Peter's dad and Jesus changed Peter's name to "Cephas" which means "stone" (John 1:42b). And we all know that Peter became a bold witness of Jesus, bringing many to the Savior.

So what does this mean to you and me?
As I've said before, and I challenge you again today; "Be the one to bring one to the ONE!" This is our mission! Be faithful believers to the Holy ONE. The ONE "Who was and is and is to come" (Rev 4:8).

Lord, open our eyes to those standing next to us who are lost. Help us to be bold in our witness of You, sharing the living truth of Your Gospel. Use us I pray. In the Name of Jesus. Amen

READ CHAPTER ONE OF JOHN'S GOSPEL TODAY

test

Remember when you were in school!?. The teacher or professor fills your mind with all kinds of information over a period of several weeks then on a certain day gives you a test to see how much you have learned. The dreaded test! You only get one chance to get it right, one chance to make a good grade, one chance to recall all that you have been taught. If you're like me, you don't like tests. A test is a pressure that we would rather not have to endure. And when we don't do well on the test...well it's just not fair! I've made this statement more than once. "I studied and knew the material but not the answer to those questions."

Well in life I think it is okay to not know the answer to all the questions but......... we must pass the test before us! Many try to pass the test on their own abilities. I know this because I've "been there and done that." But friend, failure was the result of my self-effort . When I came to understand what it truly meant to be in a "right" relationship with Jesus my tests got a little easier. Yes, I still have test. Yes, I don't like test much. But with Jesus I know I can pass them.

So whatever the test you face today, my advice is to not face it alone. Examine your life and make your grade count by connecting with the One who is concrete and real and has all the answers. Seek Jesus and become one with Him. Tests strengthen your abilities through Christ. Tests sharpen your relationship with Jesus. Tests separate the self-righteous from the righteous. Tests have a specific purpose. Step up boldly to each opportunity. Take your test with Jesus on your side.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4 NKJV)

Lord Jesus, help us to score high marks on every test, challenge, and trial we face in this life. Our strength is You. Our hope is You. Our patience is You. Our victory is You! Amen.

Satisfaction

It may sound strange, but a seeking heart is a satisfied heart when the Savior is the Source. It's knowing that no matter what happens, the Savior is always there. It's understanding that it's okay to not have control because Jesus is all about control. It's trusting in the supreme when trust really does not make sense in the natural. It's depending on Jesus over depending on self. "Seek and you shall find" is your promise direct from your Creator. May your prayer to the Real One be "Find me finding You."

Isaiah 55:6, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near."

Lord Jesus; Find me when I am lost. Find me when I am alone. Find me when I am praising you. Find me obedient to you. Find me finding you. Amen

Great News!!

Good news is great news. When everything around you seems to be coming apart, falling down, turning inside out, mixed up, hard to explain and understand, lost, destroyed, confusing, difficult...a little good news is great news.

Just think of how the disciples must have felt when the Risen Savior walked in the room. Talk about Great News!

No matter where you find yourself, if you know Jesus personally, you can find and have peace in knowing that He is with you. Feel the love! His love!

And Jesus said, "...and lo, I am with you even to the end..." Matthew 28:20b.

Jesus, help us to know your presence in every situation of our lives on this earth. Cover us with your peace and love. Amen.