Resurrection

Early One Morning

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Matthew 28:1 KJV

The women came so early that the sun had not yet crested the horizon. They came not in eager anticipation of seeing Jesus but with sorrow prepared for a final good-bye. They little realized but what was far beyond anything they could have hoped for, had already accomplished. The tomb stood open and empty, because Jesus had already risen from the dead!

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The wonderful news for us is that in our own lives the resurrection of Jesus has also come with unexpected hope. Before even the first shaft of sunlight can chase away our shadows God wants us to discover that He has already done everything we need! All that remains for us to do is come. Come if you feel heavy with grief and confusion. If it everything that was precious feels like it has disappeared He calls you to the place where He once lay. There is a miracle to be found beyond anything you can imagine. There is a day about to dawn that will challenge your doubts and drive off every fear. There is something beyond all our hopes and infinitely higher than our dreams. Jesus Christ is alive. He rose from the grave and He is watching for us to walk up the pathway. He is waiting to meet us if we will just come early in the morning because a new day is just beginning to dawn!

 

 

7 Loaves of Heaven’s Bread

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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;

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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!

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Picture Taken at the Ark Experience

 

So What Exactly is Lent?

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Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.  John 20:18 ESV

This is NOT a full theological or historical explanation of Lent but in general Lent is the time from Ash Wednesday to either the Wednesday before Easter, Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday. Since there is no record of anyone in the Bible observing this roughly 40 day period why should we? Great question!

For starters my own take is that it is never a bad idea to set special times for seeking God’s will and purpose. Some people may choose to fast certain foods or commit to special acts of service, during these weeks. However you choose to honor the season, the most important thing of all is to focus on Jesus. For me personally it brings me back to  the excitement of my first months of faith in Jesus (Which just happened to be on Easter Sunday!)

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I come to each morning’s quiet time with an open heart asking Jesus for a brand new insight into His word and for His will for that day. Instead of racing ahead or lagging behind in my devotional readings I need to slow down so I can hear what God is saying. Walking with Jesus will lead us along the path that He has chosen. Following the path He chooses will bring us to His destination for our life. My prayer is that during these weeks of Lent we will see with fresh eyes the miracles of Jesus, the table of His Last Supper, the Cross, the empty grave and most of all our Risen Lord!