Easter: Bigger Than Christmas?..... Ray Pritchard

Quote of the Day

"It is impossible to omit from that ascended and reigning One the wounds He bears. They are part of His Personality and speak of the fulfillment of a purpose which was the purpose of God, and which was carried out by God in and through Jesus."
~G. Campbell Morgan (from "Does Jesus Still Have His Wounds?")

Today's Answer

Easter: Bigger Than Christmas?
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.

The Anticipated Stamp Album..... Streams in the Desert

 

The Anticipated Stamp Album 

Streams in the Desert

Have faith that whatever you ask for in prayer is already granted you, and you will find that it will be (Mark 11:24).

When my little son was about ten years of age, his grandmother promised him a stamp album for Christmas. Christmas came, but no stamp album, and no word from grandmother. The matter, however, was not mentioned; but when his playmates came to see his Christmas presents, I was astonished, after he had named over this and that as gifts received, to hear him add, "And a stamp album from grandmother."

I had heard it several times, when I called him to me, and said, "But, Georgie, you did not get an album from your grandmother. Why do you say so?"

There was a wondering look on his face, as if he thought it strange that I should ask such a question, and he replied, "Well,  mamma, grandma said, so it is the same as." I could not say a word to check his faith.

A month went by, and nothing was heard from the album. Finally, one day, I said, to test his faith, and really wondering in my heart why the album had not been sent, "Well, Georgie, I think grandma has forgotten her promise."

"Oh, no, mamma," he quickly and firmly said, "she hasn't."

I watched the dear, trusting face, which, for a while, looked very sober, as if debating the possibilities I had suggested. Finally a bright light passed over it, and he said, "Mamma, do you think it would do any good if I should write to her thanking her for the album?"

"I do not know," I said, "but you might try it." A rich spiritual truth began to dawn upon me.

In a few minutes a letter was prepared and committed to the mail, and he went off whistling his confidence in his grandma. In just a short time a letter came, saying:

"My dear Georgie: I have not forgotten my promise to you, of an album. I tried to get such a book as you desired, but could not get the sort you wanted; so I sent on to New York. It did not get here till after Christmas, and it was still not right, so I sent for another, and as it has not come as yet, I send you three dollars to get one in Chicago. Your loving grandma."

As he read the letter, his face was the face of a victor. "Now, mamma, didn't I tell you?" came from the depths of a heart that never doubted, that, "against hope, believed in hope" that the stamp album would come. While he was trusting, grandma was working, and in due season faith became sight.

It is so human to want sight when we step out on the promises of God, but our Savior said to Thomas, and to the long roll of doubters who have ever since followed him: "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed."
--Mrs. Rounds

Bearing One Another’s Burdens..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Bearing One Another’s Burdens

Dr. Charles Stanley

Galatians 6

If you are looking for a way to carry out Christ’s command to love your neighbor, Paul has a suggestion: bear their burdens. At some point, everyone struggles under the weight of an oppressive situation. Believers have an obligation to get under that load next to their brothers and sisters.

Jesus sets the pattern for burden bearing. He calls to Himself all who are heavy-laden and gives them rest (Matt. 11:28-29). Since God predestines believers to be conformed to Christ’s likeness, we must imitate His care and concern for those who suffer. Acts 4:32 shows that the early church followed His example. To lift the load of poverty, they pooled their resources so that no one was in need.

Paul’s letters make clear his concern for the physical and spiritual welfare of growing churches. He fasted and prayed for them and sent missionaries when he could. He felt it was his responsibility to strengthen them, even though he sustained a personal hardship—his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7).

A believer cannot wait until his life is clear of obstacles before reaching out to others, since that day may never come. Even though we have our own needs, we can do all things through Christ’s strength—including sharing someone else’s adversity (2 Cor. 12:9).

When you’re willing to wade into someone else’s troubles to help that person hold up under the weight, two things happen. First, he or she receives desperately needed blessings in the form of aid, support, and love. And second, you fulfill God’s command to love a neighbor as yourself.

Surrendering Our Questions of “Why?”..... LYSA TERKEURST

 Surrendering Our Questions of “Why?”

LYSA TERKEURST

Lee en español

“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” John 9:3 (NIV)

Have you ever found yourself asking God: Why would You allow this to happen?

I certainly have.

The last couple years of my life, I’ve had to face one hardship after another. At many points, I’ve wondered how I would make it through. It’s hard to feel confident in the goodness of God when circumstances don’t feel good at all.

We’re often left thinking that if we could just figure out the why, then life would make more sense. Especially in the face of pain or suffering.

This is where we find the disciples in the ninth chapter of the book of John — holding out the question of why. Jesus and His disciples had come across a man who’d been blind from birth. It was an encounter that left the disciples asking Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2b, NIV).

The disciples were looking for someone to blame for this unfortunate situation. If they could only figure out the reason why, then this man’s hurt would be more tolerable, they reasoned.

Being blind in Jesus’ time was often seen as a statement about the sin in your life. So, you probably didn’t have a whole lot of help from people. In their eyes, you were not only blind — people assumed you were a sinner God was punishing. Jesus turned this thinking on its head when He declared the words of our key verse to His disciples: “‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:3).

The reason this man was blind was so others could see the amazing power of God. Healing his physical blindness would lead others to spiritual sight. It would shine a light on the One who declared He had come to be the Light of the world.

Sadly, not all who witnessed this man’s healing were open to Jesus’ Truth. In fact, it stirred up a whole mess with the Pharisees — a group of men whose lives prove we don’t have to be physically blind to only see darkness.

The Pharisees knew all about the prophesied Messiah. But when Jesus came on the scene, they couldn’t see He was the One. They knew all the right answers, but didn’t make the right choice.

Oh, how this makes my heart pause. What do I want most? What do I need most? Answers … or Jesus?

As much as I want answers for those things that break my heart, what I’m finding I want and need more is spiritual sight. I want to approach a situation that might look hopeless and see the spiritual potential. I want to read the Bible and see clearly what God wants to say. I want to know how to react to situations in a way that honors Christ. I’m guessing these are things you are wanting, too.

So how do we get this kind of spiritual sight? We ask God for it. Continually. And sometimes that means surrendering our whys and choosing instead to ask, “Will You help me see You, Lord? Even in this?” He is the One who can illuminate the dark places for us. His presence alone has the power to bring us peace in the midst of our unanswered questions.

Today, let’s be careful not to get stuck in our whys. Let’s not allow them to leave us blind to His presence, blind to His goodness, blind to His power, blind to the hope we have in Him. Let’s not be like the Pharisees — people who could physically see but were blind to the Savior standing right in front of them.

I know this isn’t easy. Trust me. I have situations where I've begged God to give me answers. But I’m realizing instead of answers, He's given me Himself. A way to come straight to Him, the One who already has it all figured out. The One who reminds me I don’t have to have His answers to have His comfort.

Father God, I might not have all the answers to my struggles, but I’m seeing more hope than ever. Jesus is my Light. And because of Him, even my darkest of nights aren’t so daunting and confusing. Thank You for reminding me that this day holds Your presence, Your blessings and Your comfort. Give me eyes to see You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (NIV)

How to Overcome Evil..... by Lynette Kittle

 How to Overcome Evil

by Lynette Kittle

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -- Romans 12:21

Do you realize by doing good, you are defeating evil?

Seems pretty simple, doesn’t it? Yet many still believe you have to fight evil on its own playing field. Recognize how the enemy of God wants you to play at his level, rather than understanding how your simple, loving acts of kindness and compassion throw a wrench into his most devious plans.

1 Peter 2:15 explains, “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”

Unlike popular belief, shouting others down or putting them in their place isn’t the most effective approach in responding to angry words. Rather, the way to silence tactless talk is through good works.

Because of your relationship with God, doing good should come easy, too, since, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him” (Matthew 12:35)

Scripture describes how Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit went around doing good (Acts 10:38).

As Jesus lived, you are called to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 spells it out explaining, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Like Jesus went around doing good, God has prepared good things for you to do, setting it all up ahead of time so all you have to do is follow His lead.

In the same way, Galatians 6:10 directs, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

As 3 John 1:11 urges, “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”

Likewise, Amos 5:15 urges you to hate evil and love good because as Proverbs 17:13 explains, “Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.”

By doing good, you follow God’s example of kindness and mercy towards you, as described in Titus 3:4,5. “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

From Russia, with God's Love..... by Ryan Duncan

 From Russia, with God's Love

by Ryan Duncan

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. – Proverbs 16:9 

Last year, I set out to fulfill my longtime goal of traveling to Russia as part of an international missions’ team. The organization I applied to was one I’d volunteered with in the past. Every December they would partner with Russian Christians and visit orphanages just outside of Moscow. Once there, they would spend the day handing out gifts, singing songs, and hopefully telling the children how God loved them. Now, I’d been on missions’ trips before, but for some reason I knew this one was special.

Deep down, I sensed that God would do something truly amazing through this trip, and I wanted to be ready when it happened. In the months leading up to our team’s departure, I did all I could to prepare for the work ahead. I picked up books on Russian history, volunteered in my Church’s Sunday school, read my Bible and prayed heavily like never before. In my mind’s eye, I saw myself rising up as a Christian leader who helped many lost souls encounter God. As you might expect, that’s not how things played out.

The trip was by no means a failure, but it certainly wasn’t the mountaintop experience I’d been expecting. For starters, the moment we touched down in Moscow I became utterly, painfully, violently ill. My first two days in Russia were spent in a hotel bathroom, where I almost took the liberty of placing my headstone. After pulling myself together, I became overwhelmed with our constant travel and shifting schedules. I had trouble connecting with my teammates, with the children, even with God.

By the time I returned home, I was feeling very disillusioned. What had I done wrong? Was my pride to blame for everything that had happened? I fell back into old routines and life went on as it had before, except for one thing. Before departing for Russia I’d promised my church’s Sunday school leader I would volunteer for six months, and I still had three months to go.

Fast forward a year later, and I am now a regular volunteer at my Church’s Sunday school. I try not to speculate, but I think that may have been God’s plan all along. After all, God works in mysterious ways, and sometimes our disappointments are merely detours to His purpose.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Intersecting Faith and Life: Remember, sometimes God has to take us halfway around the world just to lead us next door.

Further Reading

James 2:14-17

A Prayer for Changing the Way You Think..... By: Alisha Headley

 A Prayer for Changing the Way You Think

By: Alisha Headley

“Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” - Romans 12:2

Our minds are so powerful. What’s on your mind at this very moment? A few studies have shown that we can think up to 80,000 thoughts in a given day, and out of those thoughts, 80% of them are negative. Ouch! A better question to ask you is what are you feeding your mind that is ultimately giving you the thoughts you have right now?

Your thoughts can very much dictate your actions. For what you think on, will drive you to act on. Your mind is your container, and we must go to great lengths to protect it. We must be intentional about that which we fill our minds.

If we are not intentional about what we are allowing in, things will naturally fill as just living a part of this world. From the moment we wake up, we are inundated with automatic notifications on our phones, computers, and television. We go to work or the grocery store, we see people around and signs and billboards on our drive.

The portals to our mind are our eyes and ears and sometimes if we’re not aware, they get filled up by things unintentionally. This is why we must be intentional to guard it, and not just graze through life filling our minds with things that do not serve us.

What we see and what we hear will affect our thinking greatly. So, having wisdom when it comes to intake matters so much. Today’s scripture reminds us to depend on God to transform and renew your mind. It’s easy to be molded into the things of this world and can be done without us knowing. God can give us a new way of thinking as we renew our mind on Him, on things above, on His truths written in His Word, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s allow God to change the way we think as we guard what we are taking in. And as we begin renewing our mind on Him and He changes the way we think, we can then please him through our actions, remembering that it all starts with the mind.

Dear Lord,

Thank you, Lord, that you did not leave us empty-handed. That we have the truth of your word to depend on to navigate us through this world. Father, we ask that you would give us your mind. Help us to filter everything that comes across our minds through your perspective. We want a mind like Christ and want to be transformed through the renewing of our mind.

We ask that the Holy Spirit please reveal to us anything we are listening to our watching that is feeding our mind negative thoughts that we may be unaware of. Please protect our minds and prompt us in those moments to rid ourselves of anything that is not focused on you.

Lord, we ask that you change the way we think. That you would please guide us into your path you have for us. That the voices we hear and the things we set our sights on would be honoring to you. Help us to think on things above, not on things of this world. (Colossians 1:3). As your word says in Philippians 4:9, remind us “to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, are of good report…anything praiseworthy, to think on such things.” We want to honor you in all that we do. We love you, Lord.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen