Easter

Why not thank God today for the comfort He gives to us during difficult times and for His promise of hope?

Day 2

Hello again! I hope you had a good first day of the work week and are all settled in with what you need to accomplish before Friday ends.

Verse to ponder... 1 Cor 15:54

One of my favorite movies is "The Great Escape". My favorite character is Steve McQueen. The setting of this movie is a POW camp where there are many efforts being developed for escape. Steve McQueen is always plotting another escape attempt, even while he is in solitary confinement with his baseball and glove.

Many made it to freedom in the movie, but others lost their lives when their escape routes came to a dead end.

This reminded me that once, because of sin there was no "escape" that existed for us. No amount of hard work, careful planning, or coordinated efforts would lead to the gaining of our freedom. We were like Steve McQueen; confined with our ball & glove trying always to figure how to escape, yet completely unable to do so.

Then Christ came! His death, burial and resurrection makes it possible for each of us to be able to escape! We, those who have asked Christ into their lives, have escaped eternal death! Jesus died to gain for us our freedom.

When He returns, every believer will experience the Greatest Escape. Consider what Paul writes in the verse today; namely "death is swallowed up in victory."

Is there any "prison" that you find yourself in today? Some of the "prisons" we experience are pain, failure, regret, and disappointment, to name a few. Today I want to encourage you that whatever "confines" you, IT'S NOT FINAL! Don't despair! It is at these times, these crossroads that more than ever we need to put our faith and confidence in Jesus.

Today why don't you thank God for the victory He has provided and for saving you from the penalty of sin.

Until tomorrow!

Day 3

Verses to ponder...Lk 24:13-35

The young woman excitedly searched for the familiar face among the throng of uniformed men before her. All her days of anticipation now ending. She would suffer loneliness no more. Her soldier had returned to her safely.

The two travelers on the road to Emmaus did not anticipate such a joyful reunion. They were mourning the death of Jesus as the walked. Jesus, their teacher and friend was now gone. Sadness consumed them

But as they walked, they met a stranger who told them many wonderful things. In the course of their conversation, the subject of the Resurrection came up. He questioned them about not believing the reports that they had heard.

After the stranger's departure, it dawned upon the two travelers that they had been in the company of Jesus! They had seen the resurrected Christ and their hearts were filled with joy!

Someday another resurrection will reunite all who have invited Christ to be the director and savior of their lives. Loneliness will disappear. Heaven will be filled to overflowing with love and laughter as friends and family reunite in joy. But above all, being in the presence of Jesus will bring the most comfort of all. And...we will be with Him forever!

Thank the Lord today for making that joyful reunion that we look forward to a reality for each believer.

Day 4

Verses to ponder... John 20:10-18

Have you ever walked by someone you know without recognizing them? I've had that happen a few times. I wasn't expecting to see them, or my mind was wandering off thinking about something, or someone else. I may have even made eye contact with them, but it didn't register. When they called out my name then I came back to reality!

When Mary heard her name, she recognized Jesus (she mistook him for the gardener). The one she thought had died, now stood before her! The painful emotions she experienced that were still fresh in her mind, now faded with the realization that Jesus had risen from the dead!

Through our faith, we too see Jesus as the risen and victorious Savior. In His Word we hear His voice that comforts us on some days and corrects us on others. We can find comfort in the presence of Jesus just as Mary did.

Think about all the things that Jesus knows about you... He knows your name, He knows your pain, fears, He knows your every thought. He knows what you lack and what you need.

Thank God today that you have an intimate Savior who is concerned about your total life.

Day 5

Good morning! Today we remember a very somber occasion for the followers of Jesus. They watched Him suffer and die upon the cross.

Verses to ponder...Matthew 28:1-13

It started with a bribe. Very soon after the resurrection of Jesus, the chief priests were informed of what had happened at the tomb. They heard it directly from eyewitnesses, the soldiers who guarded the tomb!

Upon hearing this testimony, the chief priests could have recognized that Jesus must be who He said He was. They did not. Instead, selfish reasons blinded them and they chose to suppress the truth. They bribed the soldiers to say that the body had been stolen while they slept.

Thinking people everywhere question who Jesus is. Some people listen attentively to the answer. Some shut out the truth, thinking they already know the answer to who Jesus is: He was a good man, but didn't rise from the dead. In some fashion, critics of Christ seek to explain away the resurrection.

Over 2,000 years ago, Satan used the chief priests and the soldiers to do his work. Today he uses other people who are hardened to the truth to perpetuate the lie. He wants to continue stealing the truth of the Resurrection from many more by denying that it ever happened.

Don't let him steal the truth. You've been sharing Christ with people you have come to know. Why not invite them to come to church with you on Easter Sunday (probably the one of the three highest attended Sundays in the year)? Let them hear of the hope they can find in Jesus Christ.

Today give praise to God for the glorious truth the we will celebrate on Sunday. And ask Him who you should bring (or invite) to church.