I am always uplifted by the story of Jesus being raised from the dead. It is the central foundational point of our faith. Without an empty tomb, our faith and our preaching is in vain (1 Corinthians 15). I heard an interesting quote on yesterday, while I was resting from our Resurrection services. The quote was, "many of us celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, but then after the moment, we allow Him to die again on Monday." I was struck by this because I do feel that often times we minimize the magnitude of the Resurrection by making it one day that we gather to worship, instead of living and walking in the Resurrection everyday of our lives. Those faithful saints who made there way to the graveyard over 2000 years ago, as told by Mark, were expecting a funeral, but when they got there, they had a stone removed, a situation reversed because of the Word of God and a friend welcomed back to the fold after denying Christ. I wonder how many of us would have the faith to go to a place of perceived disappointment, as long as Jesus is there? I know that God can give us more than we expect when we trust Him. The resurrection shows us that God oftentimes does His best work behind our back. While they were grieving, God was working the situation out for His glory. I really want God to expand my expectations this year in every area of my life. I believe that God can resurrect dead hopes, dead dreams, dead relationships and anything else that seems dead in our lives. My prayer is for all to know and experience RESURRECTION in life through the POWER of God. RevCEGJr
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The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is operating on the inside of us as believers. The Christ lived a Spirit led life and performed many miracles, signs, and wonders by the power of the Holy Spirit. He did not seek to be seen of man but constantly reverenced the Father and because of the time He spent with the father, He and the Father were one. (Jn 14) He did and spoke only what the Father instructed. As Christians we are called to be imitators of Christ. (Eph 5:1) This will require us, as Luke stated, to deny ourselves take up our cross and follow Him. What does it truly mean to follow Christ? Why does it seem as though we have made running this race so complicated? He has given us His Spirit and His word to "help" us live a victorious life. It begs the question do we love Him more than ourselves? Jesus asked Simon did He love Him, "If you love me then..." The faithful saints knew their God and were able to do mighty works in His name. They knew their God...We as believers are also called to do great/greater works than Christ so that through us the world will know He lives... too many believers look like the world yet they expect the unsaved to commit to a God they-themselves are only half-heartidly serving. Irony? We have to make Him Lord over every area of our lives by seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt 6:33). If you want God to expand your expections this year in every area of your life then seek Him for His wisdom and direction in every area and don't limit Him in your thinking...Intellects..
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