Taking It to Work:
Yesterday, in over ninety countries across the globe, Resurrection Sunday focused on the greatest miracle that the world has ever seen.
A normal man, so they thought, who claimed to be the Son of God, with the self-proclaimed authority to raise himself from the dead, a power only God himself would have, was illegally tried, brutally beaten and publicly executed to prove His claims false.
But on the third day, just as He said, and as easily as He said it, history shows and multiple witnesses attest, He walked out of a sealed and guarded grave, proving to all mankind that He was no normal man. He was the physical incarnation of God himself, Emmanuel, God with us.
In that resurrection miracle, He proved Himself the true Author of Life, and that even death itself was no match for His mighty hand. In proving that, He also proved something else; He proved He is the author of our lives too. And just as He proved He could raise Himself from the grip of sin, death and the grave, He can lift you and me as well.
This Monday, God wants to give you a brand new start. No matter how beaten you feel by sin and past mistakes, or how hopeless or dead things may seem now. If you are willing to turn from the ways you know don’t please Him, and truly ask Him to forgive you and lead your life from here on out, He will raise you to a new life, a life that is truly life.
That is the Good News Christians have been proclaiming for the last two thousand years, and you would be joining billions who have experienced that truth.
If that is you, I’d ask that you tell Him all that right now. Stop reading this and tell Him that you want a fresh start. Tell Him that you’re ready, that you need Him, and that you are ready to follow Him. He will meet you, embrace you, and put His Spirit within you, that you will never be without Him again.
The sun rose this Monday, so that if we need to, you and I can begin again. For many, it may just be the start of a brand new work week after a refreshing holiday, but for you, it might be the beginning of a brand new life, and the greatest personal miracle you can ever imagine. Pray, then rejoice and be glad, as His Word works anew in you, today.
Acts 3:15 (ESV) – and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
Matt 9:9 (ESV) – As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
Rom 6:4 (ESV) – We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
2 Cor 5:17 (ESV) – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
John 10:18 (ESV) – No one takes it [My life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
John 2:19 (ESV) – Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
Today is given anew. The past behind, and only for the lessons of life learned. Begin again. A start again to a holy life, elevated by My Spirit and presence deeper in your life. The past holds no power on My beloved, washed away through My atoning love, and a new hand offered that you might be lifted from the weight of guilt and remorse, forgiveness that you may walk anew. Bring the fresh scent into your place of labor. The old has passed; the new has been given. Take to your family the Spirit of grace, as grace has been given to you. Refresh and renew as you have been forgiven. And now the sun rises again to light your way, giving warmth to you who are blessed. Begin anew, for I call you forth with new hope and strength renewed.
