“The more terrible the storm, the more necessary the anchor.”
William S. Plumer
Life Abundant!
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:
he that believes on me, though he die, yet shall he live.
John 11:25
God alone has power over death. With the resurrection of Jesus came the hope and promise for all believers. One day, we too will have victory over death and will live with Him in eternity. What a wonderful joy and reassurance to know that Jesus is the resurrection! He has overcome death. The grave is not our finishing point, but rather the beginning of a new and glorious life with Him.
Jesus also said He is the life. He created life, He is the sustainer of life, and He offers eternal life. In Him, we have abundant life here on earth and a joyful anticipation of life with Him forever. Life is meaningless, purposeless, and hopeless without Him. He gives us meaning in life, and quality of life. When our lives seem overwhelming or frustrating, we can look to the One who is Life for renewal, guidance, and strength. Praise you, Father, for your victory and power over death. You are our Resurrection and our Life. We find our life in you.
Questions to Ponder:
Have I placed my faith in Jesus as the one who is the resurrection and the life?
Do I look to Him to give me strength and direction in my life?
Have I thanked Him for my life and for those around me?
Photo by Sapan Patel on Unsplash
The Sound of the Silent Tomb
Darkness and silence resided in the closed tomb. Darkness and discouragement resided in the hearts of His followers. Yet often it is in these dark, silent moments we experience the depth of His comfort, presence and love. Our faith grows as we wait. On this day, let us thank Him for His presence in our darkness, in our pain, and yes, in our joy.
For more on Life Lessons Learned at the Tomb, watch my Bible lesson from John 20. Click Here.
The Purpose of the Cross
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—
of whom I am the worst.
I Timothy 1:15
Jesus left His throne in Heaven to come to this earth in human form for one purpose – to save sinners. Paul humbly adds, “Of whom I am the worst.” The great and powerful apostle Paul recognized his own sin and his own desperate need for a savior. This is the beginning step for each of us in coming to Christ. If we do not recognize our sin, we do not recognize our need for a savior. He came to save sinners, not perfect people.
The Bible reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We cannot enter Heaven and live with a holy God unless our sin problem is redeemed. This is the purpose of the cross. God sent a way for sinners to be saved from eternal punishment through His beloved Son, Jesus. The very name of Jesus – Yeshua – means “Jehovah is salvation.”
Father, this Good Friday, we praise you for sending Jesus to save us. We confess our sin and recognize our need for Him. Thank you, that He is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all who place their faith in Him. Put us in the path today of someone who needs to know this good news, and give us the words to share it.
Questions to Ponder:
Why did Jesus need to die on the cross?
Why is today considered Good Friday?
Who needs to know the good news that we are forgiven through faith in Christ?
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
A Forever Friend
I no longer call you servants…Instead, I have called you friends,
for everything that I learned from my Father
I have made known to you.
John 15:15
How can it be that our Lord calls us His friends? It is an overwhelming thought to realize that through faith in Christ, we not only have a Savior, but a faithful friend who will never leave us or forsake us. He loved us so much that He gave his life for us. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Certainly we have the greatest friend of all in Christ. What a privilege to know that we can fellowship with Him anytime. We can go to Him with our cares and concerns as well as our joy and thankfulness.
Jesus commanded us as His followers to love each other in the same way we are loved by Him. Christ loves us with a sacrificial and forgiving love. Because we have been loved with such undeserved yet unending faithful love, we in turn can freely and sacrificially love others. Relish the grace-filled love Jesus has for you today, and reflect His love as you live and deal with others.
Questions to Ponder:
What difference does it make in your life to know that Jesus is your friend?
In what ways are you reflecting Christ’s love in the relationships around you?
He Revives the Heart
I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15
Perhaps you have felt unworthy, unaccepted, discouraged, or low. God is able to revive your spirit and strengthen your heart. He cares about the deepest hurts of your heart. He dwells not only in the high and holy place – He is also with those who are humble in spirit.
A lowly heart reflects one who recognizes their need for God. Often, it is our brokenness that leads us back to a place of depending on God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The opposite of a lowly and contrite heart is a prideful one. When we come to God with a contrite heart, repenting of our sins, He revives us and renews us. Don’t let pride keep you from the renewal and refreshment God wants to bring to your life. Come humbly to Him and allow Him to revive your heart.
Questions to Ponder:
- Do I recognize my need for God?
- Are there areas in my life that I need to give over to God or confess to Him?
- How does it help you to know that God is with those who humbly come to Him?
This devotional can be found in my book, Pursuing God in the Quiet Places
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