A few days ago Islamist terrorists killed dozens of people in Brussels, weeks ago dozens in Turkey, then it was France, San Bernardino – just this year over 200 terrorist attacks worldwide – and it seems to be a tornado of despair and fear that is unrelenting in its swirling over the nations.
We live in a broken, fractured world, made that way by evil. What that produces in all of us is sin, lifestyles that are opposite of living righteous by the standards of God.
Jesus said in John, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they (people everywhere) may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the fullest, letting it overflow, a better life than they ever dreamed of!)” He said he came to give us life to the fullest!
JESUS defeated death, defeated satan and forever destroyed the works of the enemy – in your life. Personally. In your life, Jesus has defeated despair, anger, anxiety, fear, temptation, disappointment, discouragement, selfishness and jealousy.
Jesus defeated death, defeated satan and forever destroyed the works of the enemy – in your life. Personally.
Again in St. John, Jesus said, “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live.” I love this translation that says, RIGHT NOW! This is your redeemed life, right now. You don’t have to wait – you are free!
In Matthew Jesus said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” True peace is not the result of war, police action or negotiations – true peace is the result of the cross of Jesus Christ. True peace is found in His presence and life fully engaged in our lives.
True peace is not the result of war, police action or negotiations – true peace is the result of the cross of Jesus Christ.
The great writer who ended his life in despair and suicide Ernest Hemingway said, “We are like a colony of ants on the end of a burning log.” This is a man who did not have a revelation of the fact that God loves you with a passion! When the issues of this world strike hard, we have hope, and life, and a savior!
Jesus is alive, he has risen and he is victorious!
If toys and treasures could make us happy, of all people Americans would be deliriously happy, but we are not…1/3 of all Americans wake up depressed every day. We do happy things and we have happy times but we are not happy people. We are lonely in a crowded world.
We do happy things and we have happy times but we are not happy people.
Here is the antidote to fear, depression and anger: Paul wrote it to the church at Corinth, from Jesus himself;
“WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME, IS BORN INTO A NEW LIFE… ALL THE OLD SIN IS WASHED AWAY, YOUR HEART IS MADE CLEAN OF THE DIRT OF THE WORLD…AND YOUR MIND STARTS THINKING NEW THOUGHTS OF LIFE, WHOLENESS AND JOY”
Easter is redemption, new life, peace with God and peace in this world – RIGHT NOW.
Jesus is alive, he has risen and he is victorious. And, RIGHT NOW, we live in that overcoming, triumphant power.
Easter is our promise that we may have and enjoy life – no matter the issues of this world. We are alive in Him. Whole in Him, and our joy is in Him.
Grace and peace to you and your loved ones.
May this Easter be one covered by His presence, right now.
Many blessings,
Paul
