Video Bible Lesson - Easter: Bigger Than Christmas? by Ray Pritchard

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

3/6/2020

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Easter: Bigger Than Christmas?
by Ray Pritchard

In our society there are two great religious holidays-Christmas and Easter. For most of us Christmas is the bigger and greater season of the year. It's the time of year when we gather with family and friends to sing carols, decorate the tree, and exchange gifts. Christmas is the climax of the whole year. Easter? Well, for most people it's just another long weekend, another chance to get away for a few days.
Even Christians view Easter as a second-rate holiday!
Somehow we've gotten our thinking badly mixed up. If Easter had not happened, Christmas would have no meaning. If the tomb is not empty, the cradle makes no difference. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then he really is just a misguided Jewish rabbi with delusions of grandeur. If Easter is not true, then Christmas is only the story of an obscure baby born in an out-of-the-way village in a forgotten land 2000 years ago. It is Easter that gives Christmas its meaning.
You want proof? In all the New Testament no major doctrinal point is ever built upon the the virgin birth of Christ. Not one. It's true. It happened. But it's never discussed or mentioned. In fact, two gospels don't even say anything about it.
But the resurrection? That's a different story. In every part of the New Testament, it comes up again and again. Read the Acts 4:28. When the first Christians preached, they didn't mention Bethlehem; they talked about the empty tomb. They never got over the fact that on Easter Sunday when they went to the tomb, Jesus was gone.

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Sanctification Isn't Passive........Dr. Charles Stanley

Sanctification Isn't Passive

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Did you know that God didn't save you just to keep you from hell and get you into heaven? His top priority while you are here on earth is to shape you into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). But at this stage of our sanctification, He doesn't do it all for us. We have a responsibility to cooperate with Him and actively participate in the process. Yet many Christians have a passive attitude about the life of faith. They tolerate sin and smooth it over with the age-old excuse, "Nobody's perfect!"

When you received Christ as your Savior, you took the first step in your walk with Him--a walk that will last the rest of your life. However, you also stepped into spiritual warfare with Satan. The Enemy may have lost your soul, but he's going to do everything he can to hinder, sidetrack, and discourage you. The last thing he wants is a saint who's on fire for the Lord and useful in the kingdom.

But many believers have abdicated their responsibility to live holy lives. In fact, some of them look and act just like the unbelieving world. Sexual immorality is one area of compromise that the apostle Paul addressed specifically, but in truth, we should abstain from anything that interferes with godliness.

Have you allowed something in your life that shouldn’t be there? If so, you need to drop it now. You don't want a thread of sin to become a rope, then a chain, and finally a cable that traps you in a stronghold. Turn back to the Lord, and let your sanctification continue.

When Forgiveness Still Hurts

When Forgiveness Still Hurts
CORRIE GERBATZ 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

Their screams echoed through the house. A new day, but the same fight, as my girls argued over the coveted toy of the moment. Hurt words were said: “Fine, then you’re not my best friend anymore!” Arms were crossed. Little chests heaved with indignation.

I let out a long, exasperated sigh before rolling out my boiler plate response:

“Girls …” (pregnant pause for dramatics) “… what is going on? Why are we fighting? In our house, we share. In our house, we use kind words. You both need to say sorry to each other, and you both need to forgive one another.”

Without hesitation, the girls uncrossed their arms and apologized.

They hugged, forgave one another and had resumed “best friend” status before the salty tears on their cheeks even had a chance to be wiped away. My work was done! I basked in the mini mom-victory for a moment longer. I had fully expected some negotiations, perhaps even a tantrum from one, but alas, nothing more was needed. It was as simple as that … at least for them.

But to me? If I’m being honest, forgiving didn’t always feel so simple. In fact, in recent weeks, the burs from an old hurt had been festering in my heart and nagging at both my waking and sleeping thoughts.

Hadn’t I sought reconciliation in the matter? Didn’t I accept the apology and offer my words of forgiveness? I had. I was even committed to moving forward in love, and yet … the burs still remained.

Forgiving when it hurts just isn’t easy.

At a loss for answers, I turned to Scripture, hoping to find the missing piece to forgiveness eluding my burdened heart. In Matthew 5, Jesus spoke of the importance of actively seeking out reconciliation with one another (verses 23-24). I had done that.

In Matthew 6, Jesus warned of God’s unwillingness to forgive us if we could not forgive others (verses 14-15). I understood that.

In Matthew 18, Jesus informed Peter that our forgiveness offered should not have a limit (verses 21-22). I could probably manage that.

And in Ephesians 4, Paul reminded the church to be compassionate, forgiving each other as God first forgave us (verse 32). I was trying to do that! 

But I was still missing something … and it was not until I recalled these words from Jesus that I was reminded of a truth I had long since forgotten:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

My soul cringed with realization. I had been trying to forgive the hurt apartfrom God. I had assumed that simply knowing the gospel truths about forgiveness would be enough; and I (falsely) believed that if I wanted to forgive, I just needed to power myself through.

But I couldn’t — not in my own strength — and the festering burs in my heart were proof of that. Therefore to experience the fruit of the Lord’s restorative and enduring peace, I needed to remain in the Lord, relying on His strength to forgive.

We all do.

To forgive others as God first forgave us is a task beyond even our best efforts. In our humanness, we could never manage to forgive as wholly as God has commanded. And yet still He commands it … why? Because God never intended for us to forgive alone!  God has had a redemption plan for us from the very beginning, and that plan is rooted in forgiveness. Through the blood of Jesus on the cross, God has forgiven our sins.

By the gift of the Holy Spirit, God has empowered us to forgive others. And friends, when we rely on God’s power to heal our hurts, we can forgive wholly and completely. In His strength, we can forgive those who seem undeserving; we can forgive again; wecan forgive that which feels unforgivable;and we can finally trade our festering burs of hurt for the vine of His grace-filled redeeming fruit.

The choice to forgive is ours today. Even when it still hurts.

Dear Lord, search my heart. Reveal to me any remaining burs of hurt where I have attempted to forgive apart from You. I pray You would cover these hurts in Your healing grace, and through Your strength, empower me to forgive others as wholly and completely as You first forgave me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV

A Prayer for Those Who Are Battle Weary

A Prayer for Those Who Are Battle Weary
By: Debbie McDaniel

“The Lord is my banner…For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.” -Exodus 17:15-16

Some days get hard. We feel exhausted. Worn. Tired of fighting. About ready to give up. Feeling like we can’t go on. Struggling through defeat. The enemy seems to be hot on our trail. And we wonder if we’ve been left on our own.

For those who are battle-weary, His Truth over us for this day…

We’re not alone. Not ever. God won’t let go, though we may struggle with the lies that He’s left us fending for ourselves in hard times. His Word is filled with reminders that He fights for us still today. It never says this life will be easy. He never promises that we won’t get weary, or that we won’t face an enemy or a giant. But He does say we can come to Him and He will give us rest. He does promise to fill us with the power of His Spirit and that His joy will be our strength. He does remind us that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. He does say that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of darkness in this life.

None of us are immune. Life is hard some days. And often there’s not even just one “big” thing, but just lots of little battles that can drain us dry. Parenting, marriage, job, relationships, fears, worries about the future, experiencing loss, discouragement, illness, money problems – it all can leave us beaten down and worn. But, praise God, He gives us one another to help in times when we just feel like, “I can’t anymore…”

We’re all in this life thing together; let’s help each other today. Give an encouraging word, smile at someone, write a note, send a text, buy someone a coffee, pray for another soul and let them know that you’re praying, anything, just to remind a fellow believer that you’re holding up their battle-weary arms. And that you’re with them.

And God is with us.

Dear God,

The battle feels intense some days. We get tired and weak, weary and worn. It’s hard to keep going in the face of defeat. But help us to remember that you will never leave us, that you’re our Refuge and our Strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We know that the enemy wouldn’t be fighting so hard against us, if we weren’t making a difference for your Kingdom. He wouldn’t be trying so hard to stop us, if he didn’t think you had so much good still in store. Remind us that the battle belongs to you, and whatever we’re up against can be taken down in one fail swoop by your Mighty Hand. Help us to trust you more, to never waste time spinning our wheels and wrestling or fighting in our strength. Please forgive us Lord for the times we’ve failed to lift our hands to you, for the days we’ve forgotten to come to you first. Fill us with the Power of your Holy Spirit this day. Fill us with your joy, fill us with your wisdom and discernment, fill us with constant reminders that Your Presence will go with us, and you will give us rest.

Amen.

When it Feels Like God Isn’t Listening to Our Prayers

When it Feels Like God Isn’t Listening to Our Prayers
By: April Motl

“And Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman came out from that region, and began to cry out, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.’ But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came to Him and kept asking Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she is shouting out after us.’ But He answered and said, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’ And He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.’ But she said, ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed at once.” (Matthew 15:21-28 NASB)

This story is for those of us who have gone through seasons where we felt like God’s work went “quiet.”

Notice in verse 23 that Jesus “did not answer her a word.” And the disciples were even sick of hearing this woman crying out for help. It seemed like Jesus was ignoring her! Then when He finally did give her attention, He appeared to be less than immediately sympathetic.

Jesus wasn’t ignoring the Canaanite woman or lacking compassion toward her need. He was “setting the stage.” This woman who was an “outsider” to the Jewish faith displayed more belief than the very people who were supposed to have been ready and waiting for Jesus’ coming. In addition, her story prepared the way for the Gospel being preached to those outside the Jewish faith. She was a foreshadowing of the work God was planning to accomplish among the gentiles. And she was a great example of faith!

When you feel like the Lord isn’t hearing your prayers, take heart and emulate this woman’s example by doing the following:

1. Continue to pray.

Like the Canaanite woman who kept lifting her request, we also need to keep praying!

Read the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 for another example Jesus highlighted pertaining to a steadfastness in our prayer life. The Lord cherishes a person whose faith keeps compelling them to come to Him.

2. Be completely humble.

The Canaanite woman engaged Jesus with total humility. She was on her face before Him.

Sometimes we are tempted to get frustrated in the Lord’s timing and spiritually shake our fists at Him, demanding an answer. That is simply not our place. A crucial piece of this woman’s availability to be a good witness was tied to her humility. We, too, need humble ourselves before the Lord.

3. Expect your Lord to meet you.

The Canaanite woman knew who she was talking to: the One who gives generously even to the littlest and weakest among us. She was there to receive from His hand whatever He saw fit to give her.

Regardless of your situation, remember who you are talking to: the One who has gone to the ends of Creation to meet you. The One who did not even withhold His very own Son in pursuit of you. Hang on to the truth that He will meet you.

4. Be thankful for whatever the Lord sees fit to give you.

The Canaanite woman declared that she would be content with crumbs, because even God’s crumbs were more than enough.

Sometimes crumbs are the very best because it leaves room for an appetite for the True Bread of Life. Sometimes, God opens the floodgates and we are shocked at His overflow of blessing. Whatever He chooses to give us, the right stance of our heart is gratitude.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

You Are Chosen and Enough

You Are Chosen and Enough
by Lauren Sanchez

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

While watching The Bachelor recently, I was struck by the surprising empathy that one woman chose to display to another woman who’d hurt her. Instead of angrily keeping her distance, Kendall confronted another contestant, Krystal, about her wrong-doing and even took it a step further. She called out the goodness in Krystal and told her that she understood why she did the things she did, but that she didn’t have to act this way. She could be vulnerable. She could be real.

Real. Why does this seem like such a foreign concept?

We have gotten so used to, as a society, living behind facades. We present ourselves a certain way for job interviews. We edit our Instagram accounts to show only the most interesting moments of our lives. We try to appear as the perfect Christian, parent, or leader instead of just being transparent about our brokenness.

This only works but for so long. Eventually, we are found out or become exhausted keeping up the charade. Christian author Shauna Niequist explains this struggle in her book, Present Over Perfect:

“What kept me running? That’s the question I keep returning to, the lock I keep fiddling with. I was highly invested in maintaining my reputation as a very capable person. I thought that how other people felt about me or thought about me could determine my happiness. When I see that on the page now, staring back at me in black and white, I see how deeply flawed this idea is, how silly even.”

Niequist continues, “The crucial journey, then, for me, has been from dependence on external expectations, down into my own self, deeper still into God’s view of me, his love for me that doesn’t change, that will not change, that defines and grounds everything.”

What I’ve learned is that when we choose to let others see us in a polished manner, a version of ourselves that is partly us (or not us at all), we miss out on the true joy of feeling fully known and fully loved. It is only when we take off the mask and let others see us that we can really experience the freedom to be ourselves.

You are enough. There is freedom in letting go of control over others’ perception of us. We can breathe. We find the space to relax and rest in God. He will carry our burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). And, He will build us up in Him so that we have a new idea of our worth, one that is based on our identity in Him.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:4-6)."

Intersecting Faith & Life:

I challenge you this week to begin taking off that mask that is insecurity. Take little steps to let others in. Share something with a coworker or friend that they may not know about you. As you let others see the real you, remind yourself what God’s Word says and build your self-confidence on that.

An Easter Prayer of Celebration: He Is Risen!

An Easter Prayer of Celebration: He Is Risen!
By Debbie McDaniel

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said…” Matthew 28:6

Such incredible, miraculous, life-changing words. “He is not here, for he has risen…”

His power could not be contained in a grave. His love could not be conquered by death. His truth could never be buried and forgotten.

Jesus Christ rose again, He is Victorious!

And He makes all things new.

The very purpose of this Easter weekend reminds us, that no matter what we’ve been through in the past, what we might be facing today, or what uncertainties tomorrow may hold, Christ alone is our Hope. He conquered death, He rose from the grave, He is all Powerful.

He breathes new life, so that we can live…free.

We have so much to celebrate today, for He has risen!

He has risen indeed!

Dear God,

Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for the Victory and Power in your Name. Thank you that you hold the keys over death, and that by your might, Christ was raised from the grave, paving the way for us to live free. Thank you that you had plan, thank you that you made a way. 

We praise you for your great strength, we praise you for your lavish love. We praise you for you are Conqueror, Victor, Redeemer, and Friend. We praise you that you alone are our Deliverer, you are Worthy, you are our everlasting Father, our great and awesome God.

We confess our need for you. We ask that you would renew our hearts, minds, and lives, for the days ahead. We pray for your spirit of refreshing to fill us again.

Keep your words of truth planted firmly within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us of where we have been, whispering his lies and hurling attacks our way, may he be reminded again of his future. For we have a future and a hope in you. We’ve been set free, redeemed, the old has lost its grip, the new has come.

Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set your way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.

Thanks be to you God, for your indescribable gift!

To you be glory and honor, on this years Resurrection Day, and forever.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.