The Road Ahead

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15 KJV

Sometimes we look at Easter as a single defining event of our faith. But the Good News of Easter morning is that, as we walk (or run in Peter’s case) from the tomb, Jesus comes and walks along at our side.  If we believe that living for Jesus means we having to do everything just right, then we will often feel like giving up.  I am so encouraged to know that on the first Easter, Jesus decided to walk with disciples who were far from perfect. Let’s listen in on their conversation a bit:

But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel…. Luke 24:21 ESV

In other words; they had given up hope. They just didn’t get it. Why had Jesus died? On those kinds of days Jesus draws near and asks:

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? Luke 24:26 ESV

Just like a doctor treating a wound Jesus pokes and prods with questions that can make us feel uncomfortable. But His examination is for the purpose of healing and focusing our thinking on His cross, His forgiveness and eternal life.

Prayer: Father my hope this morning is no longer that I have everything right, but that You will come along side today. Come Lord and walk with me and lead me to the cross that meant death for You and eternal life for me.

7 Loaves of Heaven’s Bread

For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.  John 6:33 ESV

When I was a boy I loved the smells coming from the kitchen when my mom baked bread. I could hardly wait for her to hand me a warm slice slathered with butter right from the oven. We need to ask ourselves if we are also longing to know God like that. Are we eager to come into His presence and receive a fresh word from Him each day? No matter the answer to that question now is the time to set our sights again to that Easter morning when Mary came to the tomb and became the first to see our risen Lord;

P1040325

 

The Bread of Heaven!

Monday’s loaf was When the angels sang

And shepherds knelt And the Heavens rang

On Tuesday Mary dedicated Him

In the temple like a lamb Who was without sin

At the Jordan On Wednesday Jesus was baptized

And the dove descended On the bread of life

Thursday’s loaf was when He broke the bread

And He blessed the cup And bowed His head

Good Friday’s Bread was given for us

And His blood poured down The rough wooden cross

Saturday’s silence Was the bread of sorrows

As He lay in the tomb Waiting for tomorrow

Then on Sunday’s dawn He came as Heaven’s Bread

The stone rolled back And He rose from the dead!

P1030824

Picture Taken at the Ark Experience

 

An Hour That Begins With Forever

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” John 11:21-22 ESV

Sometimes it seem that life gets tangled up and more complicated than we ever imagined. A fog of difficulties and disappointments rolls in around us and make us wonder if where Jesus is.

KIMG1854

But Martha; who sometimes gets a bad rap because of her busyness, gives us the perfect example for our own pots and pans lifestyle. She believed that even though her brother lay in the grave and nothing was working out as she had hope even in the fog bank of her life that Jesus still knew the way. Martha still believed that as long as Jesus was there that “Even now” there was still hope. She believed in something she couldn’t see or understand.

When Jesus answered her He said something He had never told anyone; “I Am the Resurrection and the Life!” Jesus wanted her to know that she didn’t need to wait for some far off day in eternity. Instead  in His presence is an eternal now.

 

An Hour That Begins With Forever

 When a fog rolls in from the sea

On those mornings just dripping and gray

Remember Jesus said He will guide us

For forever and that means today

So call folks, to come sit at His table

Where forever Jesus sits and He waits

When an hour that begins with forever

Comes by and a brand new day breaks

An Hour That Begins With Forever  Peter Caligiuri 2020

P1040076