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By Rev Don Rivers
One of my favorite hymns is “Because He Lives” The song contains many reasons that move us to carry on. We can draw on the fact that Christ is alive to encourage us, strengthen us and enable us to live. This life is not just any life but the abundant life that Christ offers us in His Word. Are you rejoicing this Easter because Christ lives? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:1-8, On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ “ Then they remembered his words.
Why do we look for the living among the dead? A good question; why do we continue to search for the meaning of life among things of the world that will lead us to death? We all want to live life to the fullest. We all want everything life has to offer. We all want. Listen to what David wrote in Psalm 23
Psalm 23:1-3b; NLT; The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, …
Is Jesus Enough? Is He everything we need? Can He provide everything we need? YES! He provides rest, peace, strength, guidance, among other things.
Let me ask the question, are we living or surviving? Most people I know are just trying to get by. They are just trying to make ends meet. They work from one paycheck to the next hoping that nothing happens that will upset the delicate balance of their lives.
We know that is false hope. We know that life is full of circumstances that can change things in a moment’s notice. What we fail to realize is, most times we have made the choices that put us in those circumstances. We are the ones that guide and direct the things we do. We are responsible. We add to that the pressure to figure out how to move forward. That can overwhelm us.
It doesn’t have to be that way. God provided guidance for us. God promised to care for us and provide for us. We have the choice as to whose directions we follow, God’s direction or ours. Now we don’t always understand God’s direction and that causes us to lean on our own understanding, but Scripture cautions us against that.
Proverbs 3:5-6; NLT; Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
God allows us the free will to choose. He doesn’t force us to see or do things His way. He invites us to follow Him. We decide and God honors our decision. Which way should we choose? Which way leads to the best life? Which way leads to life everlasting?
Let’s explore that a little. Who should know best how to live the best life possible? God; after all he is the creator of life. When our car is broken, we don’t bring it to our lawyer. When our taxes need to be done, we don’t bring them to our mechanic. When we want to live an abundant life, we need to go to the source, God. He alone can provide what we need. He alone will guide us in the right direction. He alone cares enough to give His life for us.
Ask yourself, what am I willing to die for? Remember Christ was willing to die for us. However, he not only died for us but he rose again, victorious over death. He offers us forgiveness and life everlasting and He demonstrated to us that He has control over those things.
What one thing do we fear the most? Death. We fear not being here anymore. We fear our loved ones not being here with us. Christ offers victory over death. He is ALIVE!
As you celebrate Easter, think about God’s love for us. He created us. He loved us so much that He sent His son who gave His life for us, not to condemn you but to save us. You will find that promise in John’s Gospel, chapter three, verse 16-17.
John 3:16-17; NIV; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Truly celebrate this Easter with a new life, one provided for us by Jesus through His death and resurrection. I leave you with these words from the Hymn “Because He lives” God Bless.
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
~ William and Gloria Gaither ~
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
