This Changes Everything

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is the most dangerous thing you can do. 

First, it will change how people view you.  People with no knowledge of the factual basis of Jesus' resurrection still instinctively fear its transforming power.   In their skepticism they will marginalize you in order to avoid the inconvenience of such a threatening truth.

Believing in Jesus's resurrection will change how you view yourself.  Jesus raising from the dead means there is no pain or mistake or sin in your past that can't be made right.  It means you can no longer keep making excuses, wallowing in the paralysis of regret. 

With life's greatest obstacle removed, you now have life's greatest freedom.  Now you Have to move forward. 

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus will change how you view the future.  The fear of death drives every fear that haunts our hearts. Knowing that Jesus has conquered death leaves us unable to embrace the fears that give us such terrifying comfort.  

Now there is no fear that keeps you from changing your world and working to change the world of those around you.  

Yes, believing in the resurrection of Jesus is the most dangerous truth. It changes who you are, how you live, and what you live for.  

The resurrection of Jesus changes everything for the better . . . . Forever. 

Focus Scripture:  Jesus said 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ After He had said this He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'  John 20:21-22

What Do You Feed the Bread of Life?

If you had Jesus over for dinner what would you feed Him?  It seems funny that the physical expression of God would even need to eat. It's hard to imagine that He would have physical needs like resting and recreation, or emotional needs like interaction with and affirmation of others. 

Instinctively we know God is complete. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, all-righteous.  God is not needy in any sense.  So why would He express needs?  

It's not because God has needs.  It's because we do.  Jesus expresses human needs to physically demonstrate that He understands where we're coming from. 

He understands you get tired.  He understands your frustration when others don't measure up, when life doesn't measure up.  He understands your hunger and thirst, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. 

He understands the fullness of your humanity.  Jesus not only walks with you, He has gone before you.  Jesus is ready to give you all the instruction you need to make sense of your current situation, and to prepare you to move forward. 

Whatever challenge or trouble you face, remember Jesus has faced it and triumphed. And He will help you do the same. 

Focus Scripture:  'For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need.'  Hebrews 4:15-16

Truth Staring You in the Face?

Would you recognize Jesus if He appeared to you?  Or would you be so focused on the pain of your own life that you wouldn't see Him even if He was standing right in front of you?

If you failed to recognize Jesus it might be because you had lowered your expectations—you don't feel worthy of Him; in your shame you assume He won't bother to show up. 

Maybe your failure to recognize Jesus would be due to all the drama in your life.  Office politics, national politics, and interpersonal politics consume so much energy you can't see who is before you. 

Or maybe life's disappointments would blind your eyes to His presence—raised hopes recently dashed, broken promises, broken relationships, and broken dreams that have left you wounded beyond meaning.

If the drama of everyday life keeps you from recognizing Jesus, you're not alone, the human species has a poor track record recognizing Him. 

So detach from the distractions of everyday life demands and realities long enough to seek Jesus, to ask Him to reveal Himself.  Be determined to find Him. 

He is there, waiting for you to acknowledge Him, waiting for you to open your heart, waiting for you to recognize His face, His voice. 

And He's waiting to ignite your heart with the life of His Presence.  

Focus Scripture: Jesus says 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.'  Revelation 3:20

This Changes Everything

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is the most dangerous thing you can do. 

First, it will change how people view you.  People with no knowledge of the factual basis of Jesus' resurrection still instinctively fear its transforming power.   In their skepticism they will marginalize you in order to avoid the inconvenience of such a threatening truth.

Believing in Jesus's resurrection will change how you view yourself.  Jesus raising from the dead means there is no pain or mistake or sin in your past that can't be made right.  It means you can no longer keep making excuses, wallowing in the paralysis of regret. 

With life's greatest obstacle removed, you now have life's greatest freedom.  Now you Have to move forward. 

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus will change how you view the future.  The fear of death drives every fear that haunts our hearts. Knowing that Jesus has conquered death leaves us unable to embrace the fears that give us such terrifying comfort.  

Now there is no fear that keeps you from changing your world and working to change the world of those around you.  

Yes, believing in the resurrection of Jesus is the most dangerous truth. It changes who you are, how you live, and what you live for.  

The resurrection of Jesus changes everything for the better . . . . Forever. 

Focus Scripture:  Jesus said 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ After He had said this He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'  John 20:21-22

Up from the Depths of Despair

Have you ever been in despair? 

I don't mean have you ever been depressed, somehow that seems different to me.

I mean have you ever felt like the foundations of your life were dissolving?  That despite having good health and a strong mind everything you thought life would be about was wrong?  Experiencing emotional, relational, mental, or professional confusion and instability?

Fully energized, but with behavior breaking out in uncontrollable ways, like the body you thought you could trust was misleading your heart?

When everything you thought about yourself and the world seemed to come into question . . . . even what you thought you knew about God?

Have you known that kind of desperation?

I have. 

And it wasn't until I got to the end of my own rope that I called out in isolated and traumatized desperation. 

I called out to Jesus.  He answered me and showed me that I wasn't at the end of my rope, I was at the beginning of my journey . . . . my journey with Him. 

He pulled me back from the precipice and showed me there's so much depth I never could have reached by myself; so much love I could never have experienced on my own terms. 

And He's still showing me. 

Focus Scripture:  'I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand.'  Psalm 17:6-7

Go Ahead and Sweat It.

What makes you break a sweat?  It could be mild to intense physical exercise or mild to intense emotional stress. 

'Breaking a sweat', of course, is a metaphor for putting in extra effort to achieve an important objective. 

Jesus forever raised the bar for goal-focused achievement the night before His torture and crucifixion. Commanded by the Father to bear the sins of humanity—including your sins—meant that Jesus would be spiritually separated from the Father.  

The crushing reality of that command causes Jesus's sweat to look like blood. That most likely means His mental, emotional, and spiritual trauma was so INTENSE that capillaries just under the skin burst and mixed with sweat glands. 

That indicates extraordinary, almost unheard of, psychic anguish.  Have you ever sweat that intensely? 

Remember today that Jesus went through that unspeakably traumatic anguish for you. Not because you deserve it, but because you're worth it. 

Let that reality raise your sights and build your courage. 

Focus Scripture:  'Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who, for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.'  Hebrews 12:2-3

Following Jesus?

Are you following Jesus at a distance?  It's safer that way, it's easier. You can be close enough to pretend you're connected to Him, but not so close that it will cramp your style.  

When it's convenient you can claim Him, and when it isn't you can disavow all knowledge. 

But if you're following Jesus from a distance you are just one step away from denial and a whole world away from the intimacy of His comprehensive love.  It is only in the fullness of His Presence that you will experience the fullness of life. 

Realistically, I doubt if the Christian exists who hasn't distanced himself from Jesus at some point.  And, although that may be your recent or current reality, Jesus never wants it to stay that way. 

So if, as you're reading this, you find yourself closely aligned with Jesus, stay that way; seek to be ever closer to Him. 

But if you find yourself distant or even in denial, run to Him. His open arms of forgiveness are always ready to receive you, to heal you, and to empower you for the challenges ahead. 

There is a law of the universe: you get as much (or little) of God as you want.  Choose wisely, you're choosing for eternity.

Focus Scripture:  'Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.'  James 4:7-8