Who Rolled the Stone Away?

Luke 24:1-12

These twelve verses are some of the most powerful in the New Testament.  On these

words rest the heart and soul of the Christian message, Christ has conquered death: He has risen!  It is arguable that Christianity survived and grew because of the events recorded here.

If I may be allowed to use my imagination a bit, I would like to suggest that during his time in the tomb, Jesus engaged the devil and his ally, Death, for the very heart and soul of God’s creation.  The Apostles’ Creed contends that Jesus descended into hell during his three days in the tomb (No creed but Christ not withstanding).  Was this the scene of Christ’s great victory that is signified by the trembling earth and the removal of the stone cover from the tomb’s entrance?  Just maybe, a victorious and resurrected Christ arose, removed and neatly folded his death shroud, and with an earth-shaking shout rolled the stone away, giving us, his gift of resurrection and the offer of salvation.  THE FIRST EASTER!

Prayer:  Almighty God, in humble acceptance we thank you for Jesus’ gift of everlasting life.

Let us remember that it is out of duty that we accept and live a life dedicated to its promise.

Amen.

Warren Davenport

Where Have I Been?

Psalm 16

I’m sure I’m not the only one that is pretty proud when life is going good.  I tend to think

pretty highly of myself for good decisions made, positive interactions with family, friends

and co-workers.  Even want to pat myself on the back for the successes of my children.

And, believe it or not, somehow seem to think I’ve got it all under control!  And, you

know who else is pretty happy for me to take the credit?  Yes, Satan.

Ultimately, life happens and I find myself searching for God and answers to why things

aren’t the way that I had planned for them to be.  Imagine that; searching for God!?!

When in reality, as He promised, He was always with me.  It was I who wandered

away (on my own parade).

Life is filled with both blessings and trials and God desires to be involved in both.  I am

blessed with a heavenly Father that loves me so much that he sent His Son to pay for

my sins, short-comings and pride.

In Psalm 16, David gives credit where credit is due.  In verses 7 & 8 he writes:

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I have

set the LORD always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for your unconditional love for us.  I pray for an awakening in

your church and in the hearts of all believers during this Lenten season.  I pray that your

children may put you first in all that is done in your name.  That we realize we cannot do

Godly ministry without a hunger to know your will.  Help us to be still and take time to be

silent to listen for your voice.  In Your Son’s precious name.  Amen.

Trent Cronk

Jesus our Intermediary with God

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

These scriptures set out the fact that Jesus came to earth as a human being to be tested

and tempted by sin and to experience what we as human beings go through on a daily

basis.  Being the son of God, his will power to resist the sins of the world set the perfect

example of what we should, also, always strive to do.  Although we are all imperfect, it is

reassuring to know that Jesus is our intermediary with God to argue our case if we truly

believe in him, pray for his forgiveness, and strive to lead a Christian life.  His forgiveness

of our sins is hard for anyone of us to imagine.  His grace and mercy are boundless.

Because Jesus died for us, we have the comfort of knowing that if we believe in him, one

day we will be with him in heaven, no matter how imperfect we are.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, Thank you for your Son, Jesus.  Without his Christian example

while on earth, we would be lost in a world of sin.  We pray that each of us will strive to

follow his example and lead a Christian life.  We know we are imperfect and commit sin

after sin in our daily lives.  We ask for your forgiveness, your mercy and your grace.  In

your Father’s name we pray.  Amen.

Terry Snider

To Serve, not to be Served

John 13:1-17, 31-35

In these scriptures, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples.  He knows his time on earth is coming to an end, and he is teaching by example.  Peter is resistant because he thinks Jesus should be above washing someone's feet.  Peter thinks this is a job for a servant, not a spiritual leader.  What he doesn't realize is Jesus is trying to teach his disciples the spirit of humble servanthood that believers are to show one another.  

This section of scriptures is a favorite of mine.  It teaches us we are servants and need to be willing, just as Jesus was, to serve one another.  The youth group has done a foot washing activity several times.  It put everyone on equal ground.  Everyone involved in the activity had to have his/her feet washed, and had to wash someone's feet.  We were all called to be servants.  Jesus wanted his disciples to learn to serve, to be servants of God's word.  Through our daily lives, God calls us to be servants of His Word.  I pray we are all ready, willing and able to be God's servants.  Serving others is the way His word is spread and becomes real to so many people.  

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, help us to open our minds and hearts to approach life with the spirit of humble servanthood.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

Anonymous

Discipline in the Heavenly Race

Hebrews 12:1-3

What a powerful message in today’s world – full of distractions, temptations and difficult challenges.  How do we stay true to our faith?

We are to live in the light of Jesus’ Presence by fixing our eyes on him.  He began and finished this race.  What an amazing example for us – to run with endurance without growing weary, giving in to fear and losing heart on our life’s journey.

Jesus is the Founder and Perfecter of our faith.  He never lost sight of his goal.  He could handle anything he encountered, even the cross, to finish in his place of honor at the right hand of God.

When we occupy our time living close to God by praising him and expressing our thankfulness, we too are promised true joy in the presence of God.

Prayer:  I am blessed by your loving Presence in my life.  When I face challenges, let your light shine through me.  You are my constant companion.  As I focus on you, please protect me and guide me through each day.  Please lift me up and give me the strength, courage and discipline to stay on my true path.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Anonymous 

Blessings Forever

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

It was not Paul’s mission to deliver the gospel in the language of a trained orator, who

applied the special rhetorical techniques of persuasion that had been developed by the

rabbis.

Paul loosely quotes the pre-Christian Greek translation of God’s word to Jerusalem in

Isaiah 29:14.  “Therefore, once more I will astound these people with wonder upon

wonder: The wisdom of the wise will perish; the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

Aristides said that on every street in Corinth one met a so-called wise man, who had his

own solutions to humanity’s problems.

Paul’s word is so direct and powerful.  “The Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for

wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified.”  It’s the heart and center of our faith and life as

Christians.  It is because of God that we are in Christ Jesus, who for us has become

wisdom from God.  It is God who has called us to union and communion with Christ.

Romans 5:19

For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were made sinners; so

also through the obedience of the one man, the many will be saved.

Prayer:  Our precious heavenly Father, we are so thankful to live in the United States of America and have the freedom to own the Holy Bible.  Understanding, forgiveness of sin

and the promise of eternal life are blessings forever.  Amen.

Sonny Hetherington

Super-Sized

Psalm 36:5-11

The Psalmist description of God is Super-Size as well it should be.  God has made the world in which we live and this Psalm is a praise to God for all He does and all He has done.  Without Him we would not exist.  God’s love, faithfulness and righteousness have no bounds; they are as big as anything we can imagine.  God is the breath of life and the water we thirst for. 

When I am on vacation in the mountains, or at the ocean or lake, I look at what has been created by God for us and I thank Him for such a beautiful world.  I realize how big God is and He loves us so much.  God gave us life to make the world a better place and He sacrificed His son to show us the way.  All we have to do is believe.

Prayer:  Father God, we thank you for all you have done for us.  Help us to remember every day how big your love is and give us the opportunities to show this big love to others.  Amen.

Ronda Peters