He Has Risen!

"He is not here; for He has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:6 NKJV

It seems that these days, everyone is searching for the existence of something. Historians are searching for the existence of certain things in history; paranormal investigators are searching for the existence of ghosts, demons or whatever. What are you searching for the existence of? 

The one thing Christians, true followers, should NOT be searching for is the existence of Christ. We should be able to feel it, live it. We should be able to look at our lives and others who are in the Family and say, "I see Christ." But that's not always the case, is it? Sometimes we don't feel Him near or see Him at work in others. Sometimes we even blend in with the world. It's at those times that I will find myself searching for His existence in what I used to do; I will go back to where I was to find Him. 

What a wonderful reminder this angel gave to the two women and gives to us each time we don't feel Him or forget. "He is not here..." are some of the most powerful words I know! It's proof of His resurrection! He is the only historical figure that we can say that about! What a refreshing and hopeful bit of knowledge! To know that our LORD and Savior not only died for our sins but He also conquered the grave by rising from it! And we will do the same when we close our eyes on this side if we believe! But it doesn't stop there! We can die to our old ways and be resurrected in Him by living a new life! The promise is that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" and in order to be that we have to let the "old things" be passed away. 

He died for me. He died for you! What are you dying to for Him? He didn't stay the same, and neither should we.

Have an awesome Resurrection celebration and a happy Easter!! 

Transparent Strength

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1

My goodness, does this verse ask so much!! I mean seriously! That's like asking a toddler to perform open heart surgery! Or.... is it? 

Could it be that we make this out to be more than it is? I mean, when we have a weakness, we want people to bear with us. We say things like "please be patient with me, GOD is not through with me yet" which is also a song, or we plaster bumper stickers on our car that say "Under Construction." And that's okay because God is NOT done with us until we get Home! But we tend to be what I recently heard described as "me centered," and forget that others need this same grace from us.

I tend to have this "me centeredness" when it comes to family, mostly, but everyone at some point. My mom and kids tend to be unknowing targets at times. I can be very apt to want them to show grace if I'm late or forget something but then get angry when the same happens with them.

Most recently, my mom and I were going through a rough patch and I had forgotten to do something for her that was important. I reluctantly told her and braced myself for the backlash because this was really important to her. I wanted her to show me grace, however when I told her and she blew up at me, I didn't show the same grace. You see, I am one of those people that don’t like things to be repeated. I don’t know why, but I can't stand that! And this particular day, among other things that were happening, my mom wanting to go over what I had forgotten, just was not in my fave list. Simply put, I did not want to be reminded of my "failings". And so I in turn blew up at her. I'm so thankful that GOD does not keep account of our failings and bears with us. Aren't you? 

Think about the rude store clerk, customer service person, your child's teacher or church family member that rubs you the wrong way. This verse is for them as much as it's for you. Remember that we are bearing with those who are weak, those who go back to the drug or the abuser or the crutch that we minster to them about; not to please us but to help them. 

LORD, thank You that You forgive my selfish rants, my self-centered ways that block the view of people the way You see them. Help me to remember today that my view is not the same and to look at everyone from Your eyes. Amen!