Video Bible Lesson - God’s Easter Promise for You By Rick Warren

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

3/18/2020

God’s Easter Promise for You

By Rick Warren

“By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also” (1 Corinthians 6:14 NIV).
Millions and millions of Christians around the world celebrate Easter every year. But for far too many of us the story has become boring and rote. We have the basic facts down. Jesus was arrested. He was crucified. And three days later, God raised him from the dead.
Yet we miss something very important. We miss what turns Easter from a one-dimensional holiday to a multi-dimensional, life-transforming way of life.
We miss that the story of the Resurrection isn’t just Jesus’ story — it’s our story as well.
You see, you are a part of the Resurrection. Jesus’ death and Resurrection didn’t just prove there was life after death. The Resurrection proves you can have life after death, that there’s life beyond your grave.
Jesus says, if you trust in him, death becomes a transition, not an ending point.
One day your heart will stop. That will be the end of your body. But it will not be the end of you. God made you to last forever. That’s why you often have a feeling there’s more to life than this. Jesus made this amazing promise in John 11: 25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (NIV)
That’s quite a promise! Jesus proved he could do it by resurrecting himself. Otherwise, we would have no reason to believe it. If Jesus hadn’t died on the cross and been resurrected more than 2,000 years ago, you would have zero chance of getting to Heaven — no hope of the afterlife and no eternal life.
The Bible says, “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also” (1 Corinthians 6:14).
As Easter comes our way this year, that’s a truth to hang our lives upon. It’s great news that Jesus rose from the dead. But what turns that truth from black and white to living color is that one day — if you trust in him — he will raise you from the grave, too.
That’s the promise of Easter.

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

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

He answered nothing (Mark 15:3).

There is no spectacle in all the Bible so sublime as the silent Savior answering not a word to the men who were maligning Him, and whom He could have laid prostrate at His feet by one look of Divine power, or one word of fiery rebuke. But He let them say and do their worst, and He stood in THE POWER OF STILLNESS--God's holy silent Lamb.

There is a stillness that lets God work for us, and holds our peace; the stillness that ceases from its contriving and its self-vindication, and its expedients of wisdom and forethought, and lets God provide and answer the cruel blow, in His own unfailing, faithful love.

How often we lose God's interposition by taking up our own cause, and striking for our defense. God give to us this silent power, this conquered spirit! And after the heat and strife of earth are over, men will remember us as we remember the morning dew, the gentle light and sunshine, the evening breeze, the Lamb of Calvary, and the gentle, holy heavenly Dove.
--A. B. Simpson

The day when Jesus stood alone
And felt the hearts of men like stone,
And knew He came but to atone
That day "He held His peace."
They witnessed falsely to His word,
They bound Him with a cruel cord,
And mockingly proclaimed Him Lord;
"But Jesus held His peace."
They spat upon Him in the face,
They dragged Him on from place to place,
They heaped upon Him all disgrace;
"But Jesus held His peace."
My friend, have you for far much less,
With rage, which you called righteousness,
Resented slights with great distress?
Your Saviour "held His peace."
--L. S. P.

I remember once hearing Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, so well known as "The Apostle of the Indians," utter these beautiful words: "For thirty years I have tried to see the face of Christ in those with whom I differed."

When this spirit actuates us we shall be preserved at once from a narrow bigotry and an easy-going tolerance, from passionate vindictiveness and everything that would mar or injure our testimony for Him who came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them.
--W. H. Griffith Thomas

Expressions of Praise

Expressions of Praise

Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalms 34:1-3

Glorifying the Lord is not limited to worshipping in church. In fact, praise ought to permeate the believer’s life. 

One obvious way that we praise the Lord is with our voice. We can either speak or sing our worship. Psalm writers put adoration into words and set their love to music. True worship also flows from the mouths of believers who are focused upon God’s attributes. They desire to honor Him because of who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised for the future.

Genuine worship allows the Lord to fill our hearts and minds with His presence. But praising the Lord with wrong motives is an empty act. For example, if we’re lifting our hands and singing loud only because doing so feels good, then what we’re after is an emotional high. That kind of selfish “praise” falls far short of heaven.

Our God is praised when we serve Him. People are created for the purpose of bringing glory and honor to His name. Therefore, nothing should limit our willingness to work for the King, particularly when we have a chance to share Him with others. Christ is honored when His followers speak boldly about His grace and His work—believers’ testimonies are an amazing form of praise that magnifies God’s name.

Jesus Christ is worth more than any treasure this world offers. Loving Him and understanding what He’s done for you should be all the motivation you need to praise Him with your life. Don’t just sing; serve His kingdom and share the gospel. Help to make God’s throne room ring with worship.

When Things Go from Bad to Worse....🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

When Things Go from Bad to Worse
MARY KASSIAN 

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (HCSB)

This past week, I had the opportunity to catch up with a friend who’s been going through an extremely difficult time because of a wayward, drug-addicted son. When I asked her how she was holding up, she exclaimed, “It’s just one thing after another!”

My friend went on to explain that in addition to the challenges with her son, she had been hit with all sorts of other troubles, too.

Her problems ranged from inconveniences like her washing machine breaking down, to heartaches like her dog dying, to serious medical issues like her husband being rushed to the hospital with a heart condition. “Every time I think things might get better,” she lamented, “they take a turn for the worse.”

Have you ever experienced a season like that? I have. So did the prophet Habakkuk.

In today’s key verse, he describes a series of problems that hit the nation of Israel. Like my friend, Habakkuk and his fellow citizens were caught in a “one thing after another” scenario. Helplessly, they watched the situation in their country escalate from bad to worse.

A Prayer to Fear Less and Do More

A Prayer to Fear Less and Do More
By Katy McCown

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” - Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

Have you ever stood at the edge of a leap of faith?

I’ve been stuck on the roof many times. But with each peek over the edge I’ve learned when I shift my gaze from what I face to the One who stands beside me, I gain the confidence to try.

I may not know where God’s taking me. I may not know what happens next. I may question whether or not I’ll be safe. But as our key verse says, I can count on the One who sends me, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him” (Jeremiah 17:7).

If you’re standing at the edge today looking at cloudy waters below, turn your head. Your Heavenly Father is right beside you. You may not know a lot of things, but if you know Him, that changes everything.

2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (NIV)

Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)

Lord Jesus, push me! I want to go higher with You! I want to know the fullness of life that comes only when I’m planted in Your will. Help me trust You and follow You wherever you lead, that I may experience the joy of Your salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Struggle with Self-Condemnation

The Struggle with Self-Condemnation
By Jennifer Waddle

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. (Psalm 37:23-24 NKJV)

Shame is one of the biggest deterrents of a Christian’s freedom in Christ. Self-condemnation holds people back from living, serving, and enjoying the abundant life Jesus offered. When we mess up, we feel like we are bound by our mistakes and unable to truly move past them.

But the Bible reminds us that when we fall, we are not utterly cast down. The Lord upholds us with His hand. His grace is sufficient, for when we are weak, His power is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9) So, why do we struggle with self-condemnation?

Every chance he gets, the adversary comes in and shoots his arrows deep into our minds so that we are reminded of past shame and regret. In turn, this cycle of condemnation keeps us bound by failure, unable to live in the glorious freedom given us by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Dear fellow believers, this should not be! The Bible reassures us that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive. (1 John 1:9) And again, in Isaiah, chapter 43, the Lord says,

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;

And I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25 NKJV)

If God, who is all-knowing, can forget our sins, why do we hang on to them and let them condemn us over and over again?

Take heart today. Your sins, once the color of scarlet, have been washed clean—white as snow. There is now no condemnation for you in Christ Jesus. Put on the full armor of God so that when the arrows of the enemy come, (and they will), you will be ready to deflect them straight back at him. It is time to rise up and say “no” to Satan’s lies. And, it is time to begin living the amazing, abundant life Jesus offered.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Dear Friend Who Is Battling Lies: Hold on to Truth

Dear Friend Who Is Battling Lies: Hold on to Truth
By Debbie McDaniel

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Often, we can be our own worst enemy. We struggle with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, in parenting, in our marriages, in work, from the past to our present. We “instant replay” all of our mistakes in our hearts, in our minds. We feel like we’re not enough, we can’t get it all done. And the world can be really great at reminding us most days where we fall short. The enemy whispers his lies of defeat. He’s done it since the beginning of time. He’s a manipulator and deceiver. He’ll attack when we’re already down. He watches for our every weakness.

Comparison seeps in.

Feelings of being overwhelmed.

We sink right into that downward spiral of defeat and despair.

And, you may know the story well.

I do too.

But we don’t have to stay stuck there.

Dear friends in Christ, who work so hard, serve faithfully, love well, and make endless sacrifices for those you care about...

For those who don't always feel like you get it right, who struggle with guilt, insecurity, or deep feelings of failure...

God sees you.

He knows the burdens you carry.

He's aware of how you've tried so hard to be strong for those you love.He understands the pain you've faced and even without uttering a word, He knows.

He gets it, and you, and me too.

In our weakness, He is strong.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Come to Him, bring all that's on your heart and mind. He promises to give rest and peace. He's never asked us to carry it all. He doesn't expect us to be perfect and strong through our own strength.

But right smack in the middle of our weakness, He shows up Strong, Mighty, Powerful, True.

We can let go of the guilt, the defeat, the feelings that we're not enough, or the lies the enemy has whispered our way.

God gives us hope and a purpose, He renews our strength like the eagles, and He invites us to bring every care, every burden to Him.

And to leave it there.

Not in ourselves. In our own efforts or striving. Not in our image, our families, the way we look, or what we own. Not in what we do, or how many titles are behind our name.

Rest for the weary and strength for the overwhelmed are found only through Christ.

In the arms of Jesus.

Peace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Choose today to come to Christ with every burden and care you’re holding onto today. He loves you more than you could ever know. Leave your cares, every concern, your struggles with guilt or defeat in His hands. He is faithful to carry our loads. He promises rest and peace.

Further Reading:
Jeremiah 29:11
Isaiah 40:31
Psalms 46:10
Proverbs 4:23

What Children Need to Know - Easter Devotional

Mark 10:13,14

And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them."

Children and Easter. New life and new beginnings. What better time to share the gospel with your children?

But what does a child, or any person, need to know to become a Christian? The following are the basics:

First, children need to be taught who God is and how He loves them. They need to know what sets Him apart from humans.

God is holy; He is perfect. People, however, are not perfect.

God is just; He is always fair. We are not just in all our decisions.

God is love; He desires a relationship with us. That's why He sent His Son. We are not always motivated out of our love for another.

Second, children need to be taught that their sins must be forgiven (see Rom. 6:23). Many parents in this culture of tolerance feel uncomfortable talking about hell. God is patient, but He is not tolerant. His justice calls for an atonement (a payment, a penalty) for people's sins. Our children must have some understanding that their sins can keep them out of heaven. Their sins must be paid for. And that is what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.

Finally, children need to know that they receive God's forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ (see Eph. 2:8,9).

Faith involves repenting of our sins, turning to God in faith and trusting Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Lord. When we repent, we acknowledge our sins before God and express our sorrow about our sins to Him.

Those are the basics of what children need to know. The question you're probably asking is, "How can I explain concepts like these to children?"

That's what I'll cover next time.

Prayer: That God would work in your children's hearts to bring them to Him.

Discuss: How have you done as a couple in explaining the gospel to your children? How can you arrange your Easter activities to take time to explain the gospel to your children?