Tag Archive for Easter

Wind, Breath, and Spirit

2014-03-23 Devotional with Hymn No comments

In the Bible’s original languages,
“wind,” “breath,” and “spirit” are all the same word.
God’s Spirit is the wind of His power and
the breath of His love.
God’s Spirit is His life in motion.

The Spirit that brooded over the waters at creation (Genesis 1:2),
the Breath that brought to life the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-10), and
the rushing, mighty Wind on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)
are the same mysterious, creative, all-powerful Spirit of God.

Jesus came to immerse us in this Spirit.
This Spirit works around us,
through us,
in us, and
among us
as we trust in Christ.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Ezekiel’s Vision
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A Christ-centered Year

2013-12-31 Devotional No comments

During Advent, Jesus is the Promise of the Father.

During Christmas, He is the Gift of the Father. He is all the fullness of God embodied in a human infant.

During Epiphany, Jesus is the Light of the Father, drawing all people to Himself.

During Lent, He is the Father’s Servant, leading us on the path of obedience and trust.

During Holy Week, Jesus is the Love of the Father, humbly submitting to death on the cross.

During Easter, He is the Life of the Father, overcoming death and sin forever.

On Ascension Day, Jesus is at the Father’s right hand, reigning as Sovereign Lord and King.

On Pentecost, He pours out the Promise of the Father, baptizing every believer in the Holy Spirit of God.

During Ordinary Time, Jesus helps us order our lives by His teaching and example. He gives us His Spirit as a down-payment while we eagerly await His promised Advent.

Brothers and sisters, let’s constantly celebrate all God has done for us in Jesus Christ! Let’s make this year a Christ-centered year.

See the Future

2013-03-24 Devotional with Hymn No comments

“Father, glorify your name!…Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:28a, 31-32, NIV)

The world was about to see Jesus’ enemies
arrest,
try,
condemn,
humiliate,
execute, and
bury Him.

But looking at the same events, what did Jesus see?
He saw all the powers of evil
judged,
condemned, and
driven out of our world forever.
He saw Himself high and lifted up, and
our entire race streaming to Him.

Do we see what Jesus saw?
Not yet,
but the battle has already been fought and won.
God’s love has already secured for us a bright and glorious future.
We are enjoying its first fruits even now!

Imagine Jesus Christ the first of a whole new race of human beings,
a race completely free from the curse of sin, death, and the fall,
holy and glorious as He is,
children of our Father in the fullest sense.

 Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Alive in You
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

The Meaning of the Resurrection

2013-03-17 Devotional with Hymn No comments

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes. (Job 19:25-27, NIV)

Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep…For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, NIV)

Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19, NIV)

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will all be changed. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory”. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 54-55, 57, NIV)

If we simply trust Christ, death is no longer our destination. Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, and we are following where He is leading: into new life, with new bodies, in the very presence of the Father, permeated with the eternal glory of a holy God.

This new life has already begun. The fellowship you now enjoy with the Living Christ will go on unbroken forever. You are in His presence, and You will walk with Him throughout eternity. We are right now growing into “all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). He has already begun doing within us “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (3:20).

For the believer, the truth is beautiful. Reality is wonderful beyond description. Praise Him! Rejoice in His goodness and His love! Every day is Easter for the child of God.

Death, with all its threats and intimidation,
cannot restrain the life of God—
not in Christ, and not in us.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Christ Is Alive! We Live in Him!
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

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