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Glory Seed Devotionals, 2015: Year of Promise
Beyond Easter 2015…
“…We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.” (Hebrews 6:18–19, CEV)
We’ve spend 40 days preparing Easter and then... Using our imaginations we were there at the raising of Lazarus, we were with the crowd as they welcomed Jesus into the city, we stood by and watched Jesus wash the disciples feet, we watched Jesus pray in the garden, we watched as he was arrested, we stood in horror at his trial, tears ran down our cheeks as we witnessed his death, and then with tears of joy flowed freely as we watched the stone hit the ground and Jesus walked toward us. And now I don’t know about you but I find myself wondering, now that the celebration is over what is left and what meaning does it have for our lives now.
Does Easter lie dormant until next year when the 40 days of Lent roll around we start all over? Or is there something very powerful happening in our lives right now and each day hereafter? The real answer lies in each one of us and how we work it out with the Holy Spirit but here’s my take for what it’s worth.
While Christmas is a time for meeting Jesus Easter is a time for meeting God. Each of the Easter Holy Days are individual events not only in the life of Jesus but us as well and even though each have their own day and meaning they are part of God’s ultimate plan for our lives. We welcome Jesus into our lives, we celebrate his presence in a supper, then suddenly we are confronted by our sins and the death sentence that come next, and in our place Jesus takes our sins into the tomb with him, then the miracle of all miracles Jesus walks from the tomb leaving our sins behind giving us life. His life. The Father’s life. The Spirit’s life. The Kingdom’s life in us. And somewhere in the process we are left in the aftermath of Easter with hope not for a better life but in a new life one filled with peace in the midst of storms, filled with joy in the midst of sorrow, filled with love in the midst of indifference, and light in the midst of darkness.
This morning’s scripture refers to reaching behind the Holy Place curtain for hope and so it is but with Jesus’ resurrection fresh in my mind we can also reach for hope it is as well.
Believe! Anticipate! Experience! Be transformed!
Grace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
Note: Should you want to go back and review this Glory Seed or if you’d like to subscribe so you can receive them in your email you can do so by clicking on this link: http://gloryseeds.wordpress.com/.
Scriptures marked CEV, “Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.”
Glory Seed Devotionals, 2015: Year of Promise
Beyond Easter 2015…
“…We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.” (Hebrews 6:18–19, CEV)
We’ve spend 40 days preparing Easter and then... Using our imaginations we were there at the raising of Lazarus, we were with the crowd as they welcomed Jesus into the city, we stood by and watched Jesus wash the disciples feet, we watched Jesus pray in the garden, we watched as he was arrested, we stood in horror at his trial, tears ran down our cheeks as we witnessed his death, and then with tears of joy flowed freely as we watched the stone hit the ground and Jesus walked toward us. And now I don’t know about you but I find myself wondering, now that the celebration is over what is left and what meaning does it have for our lives now.
Does Easter lie dormant until next year when the 40 days of Lent roll around we start all over? Or is there something very powerful happening in our lives right now and each day hereafter? The real answer lies in each one of us and how we work it out with the Holy Spirit but here’s my take for what it’s worth.
While Christmas is a time for meeting Jesus Easter is a time for meeting God. Each of the Easter Holy Days are individual events not only in the life of Jesus but us as well and even though each have their own day and meaning they are part of God’s ultimate plan for our lives. We welcome Jesus into our lives, we celebrate his presence in a supper, then suddenly we are confronted by our sins and the death sentence that come next, and in our place Jesus takes our sins into the tomb with him, then the miracle of all miracles Jesus walks from the tomb leaving our sins behind giving us life. His life. The Father’s life. The Spirit’s life. The Kingdom’s life in us. And somewhere in the process we are left in the aftermath of Easter with hope not for a better life but in a new life one filled with peace in the midst of storms, filled with joy in the midst of sorrow, filled with love in the midst of indifference, and light in the midst of darkness.
This morning’s scripture refers to reaching behind the Holy Place curtain for hope and so it is but with Jesus’ resurrection fresh in my mind we can also reach for hope it is as well.
Believe! Anticipate! Experience! Be transformed!
Grace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 LEB)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 LEB)
Note: Should you want to go back and review this Glory Seed or if you’d like to subscribe so you can receive them in your email you can do so by clicking on this link: http://gloryseeds.wordpress.com/.
Scriptures marked CEV, “Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.”