Easter Is for Second Chances..... Greg Laurie

 Easter Is for Second Chances

Greg Laurie

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” —Mark 16:6–7

Do you need a second chance today? On the first Easter morning, Peter needed one. There in the Upper Room, he had insisted that he would never deny Christ. But just as Jesus had predicted, Peter not only denied the Lord, but he denied Him three times. The last glimpse Peter had of Jesus before His crucifixion was in the glow of the fire in the high priest’s courtyard, where he actually made eye contact with Jesus. And then he went out and wept bitterly.

What kind of look do you think Jesus gave Peter when their eyes met? Do you think it was one of those I-told-you-so looks? Do you think it was one of scorn, as if to say, “How could you betray Me?” I don’t think it was either one. I think it was a look of love, a look of compassion that said, “I still love you, Peter.” And I believe that is why Peter went out and wept bitterly. He had failed the Lord so miserably. He probably thought there was no hope for him.

But then a message went out from the empty tomb that Jesus had risen, followed by these instructions, “Go, tell His disciples—and Peter. . . .” It was not, “Go tell the disciples, including Peter, James, and John. . . .” It was just Peter, because Peter needed a special word of encouragement.

Do you need encouragement today? Maybe you have fallen short. You didn’t plan on it, but it happened. And like Peter, maybe you ended up with the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time, ultimately doing the wrong thing.

God gave Peter a second chance. And He will give you one, too—because Easter is for the person who needs a second chance.

Streams in the Desert.....

 Streams in the Desert

If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).

Seldom have we heard a better definition of faith than was given once in one of our meetings, by a dear old colored woman, as she answered the question of a young man how to take the Lord for needed help.

In her characteristic way, pointing her finger toward him, she said with great emphasis: "You've just got to believe that He's done it and it's done." The great danger with most of us is that, after we ask Him to do it, we do not believe that it is done, but we keep on helping Him, and getting others to help Him; and waiting to see how He is going to do it.

Faith adds its "Amen" to God's "Yea," and then takes its hands off, and leaves God to finish His work. Its language is, "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he worketh."
--Days of Heaven upon Earth

I simply take Him at His word,
I praise Him that my prayer is heard,
And claim my answer from the Lord;
I take, He undertakes.

An active faith can give thanks for a promise, though it be not as yet performed; knowing that God's bonds are as good as ready money.
--Matthew Henry

Passive faith accepts the word as true
But never moves.
Active faith begins the work to do,
And thereby proves.
Passive faith says, "I believe it! every word of God is true.
Well I know He hath not spoken what He cannot, will not, do.
He hath bidden me, 'Go forward!' but a closed-up way I see,
When the waters are divided, soon in Canaan's land I'll be.
Lo! I hear His voice commanding, 'Rise and walk: take up thy bed';
And, 'Stretch forth thy withered member!' which for so long has been dead.
When I am a little stronger, then, I know I'll surely stand:
When there comes a thrill of heating, I will use with ease My other hand.
Yes, I know that 'God is able' and full willing all to do:
I believe that every promise, sometime, will to me come true."
Active faith says, "I believe it! and the promise now I take,
Knowing well, as I receive it, God, each promise, real will make.
So I step into the waters, finding there an open way;
Onward press, the land possessing; nothing can my progress stay.
Yea, I rise at His commanding, walk straightway, and joyfully:
This, my hand, so sadly shrivelled, as I reach, restored shall be.
What beyond His faithful promise, would I wish or do I need?
Looking not for 'signs or wonders,' I'll no contradiction heed.
Well I know that 'God is able,' and full willing all to do:
I believe that every promise, at this moment can come true."
Passive faith but praises in the light, When sun doth shine.
Active faith will praise in darkest night-- Which faith is thine?
--Selected

The Call to Serve..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Call to Serve

Dr. Charles Stanley

Philippians 2:7-9

When it comes to serving in the church, people rarely request positions where they will go unnoticed. They usually ask to be involved in a place of leadership.

Now, there is nothing wrong with heading a committee. But God calls us to have a servant's heart: He desires that our motive be to glorify Him, not ourselves.

Over the years, I've had many conversations with young men studying at seminary. Countless times, they share the desire to lead a sizable church. And those who are called to a small congregation frequently struggle with feelings of insignificance.

My encouragement to them is this: In His great love, God places us where He wants us to serve, and every task we undertake should be given our all, whether there's one person listening or a multitude. We ultimately serve Jesus, and He is not concerned with the recognition we receive. He desires our obedience and our best effort. This is true not just for pastors but for all believers.

There are many reasons the Lord calls us to serve. First, He rids us of pride and selfishness, allowing our focus to be on Him. Second, we proclaim our love for Christ through our care for one another. Third, God tests and purifies our hearts through service.

How do you define success? A common response is "achieving predetermined goals." Scripture's definition, however, is different. The Lord desires that we discover His plan, obey, and become all that He intended. In other words, for success in the biblical sense, God sets the goals.

Measuring Up or Pouring Out..... SHANNON POPKIN

 Measuring Up or Pouring Out

SHANNON POPKIN

“but [Jesus] emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, …” Philippians 2:7a (ESV) 

Mom, what are you doing?” my teenage daughter asked in amusement, glancing over my shoulder. I quickly double-tapped the photo, embarrassed she had seen.

What was I doing? I had zoomed in on a photo of my friends and me, trying to get a better look — not at our faces, but our hips. Am I the biggest one? I had wondered. I expanded the photo and leaned in, examining whether anyone else’s hips were as wide as mine.

“Uh … just looking at some photos from last night,” I said casually to my daughter, then changed the subject. I closed my phone, but I knew that when she left the room, I’d be tempted to continue my comparison analysis of the photo.

It’s interesting that we call comparison a “game,” because I’m pretty sure Satan thinks of it as a foolproof strategy to distract and divide us. Those women in the photo are some of my closest friends and greatest supporters. But when I obsess over measuring myself against them, I only want to pull away. I either shrink back, not wanting my flaws to be seen, or I distance myself, not wanting to be outdone. Both ways, my enemy wins.

I love that the disciples struggled with comparison, not just because I can relate, but because as I read about their “who’s the greatest?” arguments, I get to lean in and hear Jesus’ response. Each time it’s the same. The disciples elbow past each other, vying for “greatest disciple” status and making it obvious that they crave an answer for the same question I have: How do I measure up? And instead of answering it, Jesus repeatedly offers them a better one: How can I empty myself and serve?

There is a Kingdom, Jesus wants them to know, where measuring up isn’t what makes you great. Emptying yourself in humility and putting others first does.

If there were a measuring cup filled with all your gifts, potential and resources, your enemy would point to the lines and incite you to repeatedly put your cup next to someone else’s. But Jesus would point to the spout. He invites you to invest what’s inside your cup to serve others and pour yourself out — like He did.

If Jesus had a measuring cup, it would be larger than the universe and brimming full. His worth is beyond compare, yet He didn’t concern Himself with proving it. Instead, He “… emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, … becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8, ESV). For our sakes, Jesus took His measuring cup and turned it upside down. With the most extravagant humility the world has ever known, He “… poured out his soul to death …” (Isaiah 53:12, ESV). And because He did so, God lifted Him up and gave Him “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9b).

When we pursue greatness in the Kingdom, we escape the measure-up mindset of the world.

Friend, are you exhausted by the endless comparing? Are you tired of measuring yourself against every friend, cousin or random stranger? Are you sick of zooming in on photos, scrutinizing your friends’ hips?

How do I measure up? is the wrong question. Our Jesus has taught us a better one. One that leads to Kingdom greatness!

When I enter a room full of people and ask, How can I pour myself out? my attention naturally turns to the spout, not the lines. My measuring cup’s contents take on new purpose if I’m looking for ways to serve, and keeping my distance makes no sense if I’m getting ready to pour. But here’s the best part: When I tip my cup to one side, the lines become irrelevant. They don’t matter anymore — and this sets me free.

If Jesus had a photo with His disciples, I think He would lean in and examine it closely, but not to measure and compare. He’d be smiling, remembering how He had invested in each of their lives. He loved them. He knew them personally. He emptied Himself to serve each one. That’s the kind of friend I want to be.

Dear God, I want to pursue Kingdom greatness by looking for ways to humble myself and serve. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (ESV)

Crawling by Faith (Hebrews 11:1)..... By: Lia Martin

 Crawling by Faith (Hebrews 11:1)

By: Lia Martin

Today’s Bible verse is Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Have you read the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11? It honors a diverse list of ordinary people who pleased God.

By what amazing feat did they please the Creator of heaven and earth?

By faith.

While reading through this list today in Hebrews 11, I was reminded his Word is alive. Because somehow, if you’re drawn to it, God will speak truth in your soul. He knows better than we do, the reason we find ourselves in front of specific passages…whether it’s in your Bible, on your podcast, even on YouTube.

Searching his Word isn’t always because we’re Christians doing our daily task or eager to bask in its blessing. Often, opening the Bible, or queuing up that study, can be a slow and painful admittance that you’ve nowhere else to turn. You’ve forgotten that God sees, or that He cares.

Maybe you’ve lost something, or someone, or a sense of belonging.

This past year I’ve often found myself lost…in fear, sadness, and loneliness. Maybe you’ve felt some of this, too. In a world teetering through high-tech, low-touch distancing, we want to run and hide from a master plan that’s outside of our control. Because as we fill agendas, and do right (or so we think), we’re often ambushed by the reality that nothing is certain—other than God.

And thank God for that.

Because when betrayal, deception, or rejection whips through your best-laid plans, there is always something worth holding on to by faith: the abiding, everlasting presence of God.

It doesn’t matter if you can’t run toward God, or even walk by faith. You can crawl by faith. Breathe your next breath by faith. Hope by faith. Even in the darkest of times.

2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, "For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

When reading through the biblical heroes who walked by faith, it became apparent to me that today, I can only crawl. Or lay. My faith has days when my feet are knocked out from under me.

In these times, friend, when you’re maybe only able to breathe your way to the truth, rest in the knowledge that even when you don’t know what your longing is…the Spirit intercedes.

You can’t see the Spirit, but you can have confidence, by faith in God’s word, that even your wordless groans are understood. Romans 8:27 reminds you that “the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

If you want to have faith that is pleasing to God, remind yourself that it all belongs to Him. He is the owner of all of it. You gave it all to Him when you chose Jesus. You can’t make people stay, keep them in their faith, or heal them. That’s his work.

So, release to him all the days, good and bad. He’s given us the will to choose faith over fear, peace over anxiety, and eternal life over the temptations of the world.

His ways are the origin and meaning of life. His ways are why we marvel at the tiniest treasure, or seemingly insignificant moments thrill us. Let me encourage you now, that whether you can run by faith, walk by faith, or only crawl to the source of eternal life…give it all to him again by praying Psalm 51:10—

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Then ask him to give you the confidence in what you hope for, and the assurance about what you cannot see.

The Scars Are All Part of a Beautiful Story..... By Debbie McDaniel

 The Scars Are All Part of a Beautiful Story

By Debbie McDaniel

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

If you've ever been wounded, or have felt like you needed to hide the scars away from painful times in life, know that you're not alone. Even Jesus faced great insults, wounds, and pain more than we could ever imagine. And He carried His scars right back into that little room where He met his disciples after the Resurrection. Sometimes I've wondered why He didn't choose to let the scars fade away. He'd gained victory over death. He'd made all things new. Yet He still had scars in his hands, His side. (Read the whole story here in John 20:19-29)

Maybe He knew we'd need to be reminded of this truth throughout our own lives: His scars, and ours too, are all part of His beautiful story at work.

He redeems.

He heals.

He sets free.

He restores.

He gives great purpose even through seasons of brokenness and grief.

And the scars are left there to prove it.

We have victory through Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Don't ever doubt, He knows your way, He understands your pain. He promises to use your every scar and broken place to share his message of hope to a world that needs healing and grace.

Peace to you today.

You are held by a Mighty God, and He has good still in store...

Intersecting Faith & Life: Remember today: The scars are all part of your beautiful story. Don’t hide them away. For they are the evidence that God heals and redeems. Choose to thank Him for every scar and painful experience that has allowed you to see His greater power and work shining through.

Further Reading:
John 20:19-29
Galatians 6:17-18
Isaiah 53:3-5

A Prayer for Friendship..... By Kelly O’Dell

 A Prayer for Friendship

By Kelly O’Dell

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command… Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” - John 15:12-15, NLT

We’re commanded to love each other in the same way he loved us, so I can’t help but think there’s a measure of Jesus in the making of new friends. As you open your life to new people, let these simple ideas help you transform a mere acquaintance into a true friend.

There’s always room for one more. Whether your life is overflowing with people, or your day-to-day existence is pretty lonely, there’s room for another real friend. Most of us have more obligations than time—but the truth is most of us haven’t mastered managing our priorities. It’s not easy, but if you want to spend time on a relationship, chances are there is something you can change or remove to make room for it—whether it’s one night a month during which you do not binge-watch Netflix so you can have dinner with a friend. Or spending your coffee break catching up by phone. Or texting something just because you know it will make her laugh. Or occasionally waking up an hour early to power-walk together before the rest of your house awakens. It’s worth the potential sacrifices. (Or so they tell me. I’m not a morning person.)

It’s not all about you. Share your own stories and be real—but remember that friendship is a two-way street. A one-sided friendship goes nowhere fast. As interesting as your stories might be, they’re better if I can share mine, too. We all want to be seen and heard and understood, so ask questions. See what you can learn. Gaining new perspectives will enrich your understanding—even if this friendship doesn’t last. Instead of wondering what you will get in return, ask yourself what you can offer. It changes the dynamics of the relationship and often results in reciprocal kindness.

Practice selflessness and generosity. Many friendships die because one person resents putting forth all the effort, so decide now to be the person who does most of the work. People are busy, and their lack of communication may not be a rejection, but a normal response to a busy life. Don’t take it personally; try again. When you invest time in your friends, they’ll know they are valuable to you—and even if they don’t respond, you will know that you tried. Anytime we open ourselves up, we risk being hurt—but when our efforts are met with the same kind of generous spirit, the relationship expands exponentially and becomes more than you could have imagined.

Above all, before all, and through it all—love one another. It seems obvious and sounds trite, but it is true: love is the answer to nearly any question. In all things, err on the side of love. By doing so, you’ll brighten the life of anyone you’re involved with, and as you practice living the way Jesus taught, you’ll see more of him in your friends, and they’ll see more of him in you.

A Prayer for Friendship

Dear Lord, teach me to love others the way you first loved me. As I build relationships with others, let them see you in the extent of my generosity, the authenticity of my kindness, and the depths of my love. All of those things are only possible through you, the God who abides with me and calls me friend. Amen.