One of my favorite hymns is “Because He Lives”. The song contains many reasons why we can draw on the fact that Christ is alive to encourage us, strengthen us and enable us to live. This life is not just any life but the abundant life that Christ offers us in His Word. Are you rejoicing this Easter because Christ lives? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:1-8, On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.
Why do we look for the living among the dead? A good question; why do we continue to search for the meaning of life among things of the world that will lead us to death? You’ve heard that “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” But what if it just drains us so much we don’t have the strength or desire to do anything.
During this last year we were put in a position to evaluate the things we were in the habit of doing. Some of us found life beyond our routine. We found things that were always there but we were too busy and focused on surviving to see them. We were given the blessing of a correction, slowing down and having time, as forced as it was, to look at what is truly important.
What did we find; time, family, rest? We all want to live life to the fullest. We all want everything life has to offer. We all want. Sometimes we get so caught up in wanting we forget about needs. Not necessarily our needs but the needs of those around us. I am thankful that God doesn’t forget our needs.
Listen to what David wrote in Psalm 23:1; NLT
The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.
Is Jesus Enough? Is He everything we need? Can He provide everything we need? YES!
Let me ask the question, are you living or surviving? Most people I know are just trying to get by. They are just trying to make ends meet. They work from one paycheck to the next hoping that nothing happens that will upset the delicate balance of their lives. No one saw this last year coming and it upset the “balance” we thought we had.
It doesn’t have to be that way. God provided guidance for us. God promised to care for us and provide for us. God also gave us a free will to choose. We decide and God honors our decision. Which way should we choose? Which way leads to the best life? Which way leads to life everlasting?
Let’s explore that a little. Who should know best how to live the best life possible? The creator of life Himself, God. When our car is broke, we don’t bring it to our lawyer. When our taxes need to be done, we don’t bring them to our mechanic. When we want to live an abundant life, we need to go to the source, God. He alone can provide what we need. He alone will guide us in the right direction. He alone cares enough to give His life for us.
How many times do we pursue, sacrifice and invest to get something we want only to attain and then end up not satisfied? Worse yet, to realize having it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and now you have to get rid of it! We can focus so much on what we want that what we need and what we have are afterthoughts. Truth is we don’t need much to have a fulfilling and satisfying life. We need Christ.
Ask yourself, what am I or who am I, willing to die for? Remember Christ was willing to die for you. However, he not only died for you but he rose again, victorious over death. He offers us forgiveness and life everlasting, eternity with Him in heaven. He demonstrated to us that He has control over those things, life and death.
What one thing do we fear the most? Death. We fear not being here anymore. We fear our loved ones not being here with us. That became all too clear with the fear and isolation that we have seen in the last year. Christ offers victory over death. He is ALIVE!
As we celebrate Easter this week, think about God’s love for us. He loved us so much that He sent His son who gave His life for us, not to condemn us but to save us. We find that promise in John’s Gospel, chapter three, verse 16-17.
John 3:16-17; NLT; “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
Truly celebrate this Easter with a new life, one provided for you by Jesus and His death and resurrection.
Romans 10:8b-10; NLT; And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
I leave you with these words from the Hymn “Because He lives” God Bless.
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
~ William and Gloria Gaither ~
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
