Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. (Matthew 28:5-6) Happy Easter, Friends! Jesus is alive! This is something that we say and celebrate, but do we really understand what this means for us? The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. (Romans 8:11) Friend, if you are a follower of Jesus, the same power that defeated death lives IN YOU. The same power that raised his scarred body back to life is IN YOU. The same power that will crush Satan's head is IN YOU! I have this incredible source of power available to me each and every time I ask for Him to guide me and use me. But do I live like I truly believe this? So often I try to rely on my limited power and abilities and only look to His Spirit for help when I come to the end of my own rope. Jesus, help me to remember and believe that your Spirit is IN ME. Your power is IN ME. Your life is IN ME! Thank you, Father! And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)
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"And the Word was made flesh"(John 1:14)... and endured pain and suffering just as we do. There is nothing Jesus does not understand. The power of Christ is that he rose from the dead taking on the sins of you, and me, and the entire world. But before that, He too wrestled with plans God had for Him.
Read Mark 14:32-42. 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,”he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” When a struggle comes into your life, what’s your initial reaction? Has it changed over the years? Is it easy or hard for you to pray during a tough time? Explain. What does it look like to prayerfully submit to God’s will? Consider Luke 22:41-44. 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. An angel appeared and strengthened Him. It may seem like God didn’t answer, that prayer, but He did- in the way that led to Jesus’ resurrection and cleansing of the sins of the world. The angel was God’s response to Jesus’ prayer- there is no other way, but I will help you. Here is my angel to strengthen you. God helped him by giving strength to finish the final and most important act of obedience that He was sent for. Lord God, give us the strength to endure the cup you don't take away and the trust that your will is better than ours! |
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September 2020
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