Sunrise

Jesus is Never Late

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But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. John 11:22 KJV

On the verge of celebrating 68 Easter seasons I look back with nostalgia mixed with some regrets. It is too late for some of the career choices I had hoped to make. It is too late for some of the ministry I hoped I would do. It is too late for another talk with my Dad, a kinder way I could have treated my family or even better stewardship of the money that has passed through my hands. But Martha’s encounter with Jesus at the edge of Bethany that morning gives me hope because:

It is never too late for Jesus to come. It is never too late to hear His word. Even when we were unaware He has been with us for every hour of our lives. This morning He is here to share this day with us.

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Right now; tombs can be opened, grave clothes removed and life renewed at the sound of His voice! No matter the moment, no matter the hour it is never too late for Jesus!

Jesus Went Fishing!

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Catch Anything – Part Three

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” John 21:9-10

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People who have read this story often focus on the fact that the disciples were fishing when they should have been doing something more spiritual. But Jesus also went fishing that night. The difference was that He not only caught fish, but he filleted them and had them baking on the fire by the time Peter and his friends showed up in the morning!  In fact, Jesus never told the disciples that they shouldn’t have been out in the boat. Instead He welcomed them in a way that they would remember for the rest of their lives. He wanted them to know that their success or failure had nothing to do with their own efforts. His love was not just about being “spiritual” but about being willing to fish and knead bread dough and make breakfast for others. His love was about being willing to meet them in the morning in a most miraculous way.

Before this day is past pause to ask if there isn’t someone who needs us to wait through the night. Maybe God will bring a person you haven’t thought of for a while to mind to whom you can give a simple gift. Not even filet mignon at the finest restaurant will taste half as good as filet of fish in the morning after a night filled with struggles.

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God knows where we have been. He has stayed up fishing for us all through the night. What a blessing it will be when we pull our boats to shore and sit down with Jesus at the dawning of that eternal day!

Back to Normal?

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In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 ESV

Often our Christmas celebrations end on Christmas Eve. We’ve remembered the stable, the star, the wise men shepherds and Mary. But don’t forget that the next day the shepherds went back to their sheep, the angels to Heaven and Joseph probably got a room at the inn. In other words life pretty much got back to normal – or did it?

The Bible tells us that in Him was life and the life was the light of men. When did that tiny baby begin to shine God’s light? Could it have happened as Mary comforted his cries when they fled from Herod’s soldiers? Could it have begun in Egypt where they lived for years as immigrants and fugitives? The Bible isn’t specific about the details, but tells us that all through those supernatural days and every other day, God’s light was still shining in Jesus.

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So on Christmas morning, whether you are watching your children open gifts or if you are alone with a cup of coffee remember His light is still shining for you. He didn’t come just for days when the wise men opened gifts, the angels sang and shepherds wondered. Jesus came for every dark day. Jesus was born to walk through every war-zone, sit at every kitchen table and ride along in the ambulance to every emergency room. He doesn’t leave us when we fail, get in trouble, or fall ill. He stays through good times and bad. He is not only the light of the world: He is the light of our world and no darkness can ever put it out!