The Daily Dose

Who are you writing to?

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  Acts 1:1

You can write!  We all can. I have been a proponent of writing for the past several years.  I encourage people to journal to capture what is in their heart and thoughts.  Journaling is so simple, just write scriptures that you are meditating and want to remember or the impressions you get during your quiet time with God.  Write your story and the many wonderful ways you see God moving in your life.  Write a note or letter to someone you care about or randomly think of.  Write a text message to let someone know you are praying for them.  You can even write a social media post to tell the world there is hope.

Writing helps not only the people you are sending to, but it also is for you.  Writing things out reinforces them in your mind and also in your heart.  Writing also gives clarity and helps you organize ideas and plans.  Writing to others can inspire and motivate them to take a next step in life and writing your testimony can help you be ready to share it at any moment.

Today we are starting in the book of Acts. It is one of my most favorite books in the New Testament.  Mostly because it is stories of how the first Christians started living by faith and grew in their walk with God though the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Once again, Luke the physician is writing this account of the beginning of the New Testament church, He is also the only man not of the Hebrew people that wrote books in the bible, so his writing brings a different perspective than the other New Testament writers.

He started out writing to Theophilus because he wanted to reinforce the things that were taught him to let Theophilus know they were true.  He said a lot of people have written things about Jesus and have been passed along from person to person, but Luke’s account was an eyewitness account of those who spent time with Jesus.  His encouragement was for Theophilus, but it is also for us.  Luke’s writing 2000 years ago is impacting us still today all these years later.

That brings me to my final point.  Your writing will live on after you.  You have the opportunity today to impact the generations of tomorrow.  So start writing today at least in a journal so that your words will continue to speak the love of God long after you have left this world.

Today I want to encourage you to write!  Write daily scriptures and thoughts.  Write letters and messages to help others get up when they fall down.  Write notes and text to tell people you love them and they are doing a great work no matter how small it may seem.  Impact the world around you for years to come by writing what is on your heart today.

Today’s scripture reading:  Acts 1:1-3

1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 

2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 

3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Not my concern

_{Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remains till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”  John 21:22}

When you were a child, did you ever get in trouble with your parents or a teacher?  Maybe you were involved in something you should not have been with a friend or a sibling and when you got caught, you were the only one that got punished?  When you asked about what was going to happen to the others that helped you, you were told not to worry about what happened to them, and to just keep yourself clean and on the up and up.  Chances are that did not make you feel any better and you probably felt like you were singled out and treated unfairly but there was nothing you could do about it.

In today’s reading, there is a similar situation going on.  Not that anyone was being punished, but after Jesus told Peter that one day he would stretch out his hands and be carried where he didn’t want to go, Peter immediately asked, what about John?  It seems humorous to consider the scenario of an adult man giving this childish response. Probably, Peter wanted to hear that he was not going to be the only one with this destiny.  However, Jesus didn’t give Peter the answer he wanted.  Instead, He said it was not Peter’s concern what happened to anyone else, only to give attention to his own calling to follow Jesus’ example and plan.

This is our part still today.  It doesn’t matter what someone next to you is doing in their walk with the Lord.  Maybe you notice that some are not serving as much as you are, and others are doing more.  It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking and even becoming frustrated when it doesn’t look like others are doing their part in the work of the LORD.  But, as Jesus said, “What is that to you?”  Keep your focus on your own calling and your part of the plan and let the Holy Spirit do His work of leading the others.

Today I want to encourage you to take your eyes off people and put them back onto the One who is leading and blessing your life.  Make it your mission in life to complete down to the last detail everything that you have been assigned to do.  Certainly, when you see those around you struggling or missing it you can reach out a helping hand, but not to accuse or rebuke, only to love them and gently help them to get back on track.  Decide today that you are going to follow Him wherever He leads and then encourage others to do the same.

Today’s scripture reading: John 21:20-25

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 

21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Do you love Him?

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” John 21:15

This is the point after Jesus’ resurrection when He reaffirms Peter after denying Him before the crucifixion.  He asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him (Jesus)?  Some people say Jesus asked him three times because Peter denied Jesus three times.  While I don’t know what Jesus’ real intention for asking Peter the question that many times was, I do know that the question is relevant for us to answer today.  Do we love Him?

This is a question we can ask ourselves daily and after we answer the question, consider how am I going about showing my love for Him?  Is it by setting aside special quiet time to press in and get the plans He has made for you each day?  Maybe you show your love for Him by telling testimonies of how He changed your life?  You can even show Him how much you love Him by showing kindness to others and loving people despite their shortcomings. 

That is actually what Jesus told Peter to do.  He said if you love me then feed my lambs.  Lambs are young believers.  Then He said if you love me tend to my sheep.  That is taking care of the needs of His people when given the opportunity.  After that, Jesus said: If you love me, feed my sheep.  That can be done by encouraging God’s people with the promises of God’s word.  We are told in the scripture to feed on His Word.  Lastly, Jesus said to: “Follow Me!”  That is the ultimate in showing your love for Him, be His disciple and follow His example and leading.

Today I want to encourage you to begin a fresh love for your Savior by examining how you really feel about Him.  Take a deep look at the time and attention you give Him in your every day life.  Then begin to show your love for Him by spending quiet time with Him each day.  Spend time praising Him, spend time worshiping Him, spend time reading His word and take some time to talk with Him.  Then as you go through your day, look for opportunities to show your love for Him by loving and caring for those around you.  Show the Lord that you love Him more than all the other things in life by not only telling Him, but also by being His hands and feet to the world around you.

Today’s scripture reading: John 21:15- 19

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 

18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 

19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Business as usual

_{Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.  John 21:3}

Have you ever gone on a trip or planned a big event, but then when it was over felt let down?  Even though the vacation or celebration was a success, you still experienced feelings of sadness and even depression because the occasion was over.  What happened?  Why the disappointment? Was it because there was something wrong or were you just not ready to go back to your everyday life again?  After such a happy occurrence, you just felt like you were not quite ready for it to be over or maybe you just didn’t know what to do with yourself now after so much activity.  We all have experienced this kind of remorse and glumness, but in the end, we went back to business as usual of our job, home and quietness.

In today’s reading, we find the disciples in this type of circumstances.  After spending the last three years in ministry with Jesus, then going through the fear of losing Him at the cross, they were just figuring out how to deal with the fact that He had raised up from the dead but didn’t quite know what that meant for their future yet.  After Jesus had shown Himself to them in the room where they were all hiding out, a group of the followers decided it was time to get back to business as usual.  That is before Jesus called them out of that life.  So, Peter and the guys went fishing.  It was a good plan to keep them busy and come up with some food and provision, but after spending the night at work on the boat, they ended up with nothing to show for it.  However, when the morning came, they saw Jesus at the shore, and He told them to cast their nets one more time on the other side of the boat.  That is when success came and that is when they knew He showed up to help and be with them yet again.  Even though they hoped for more of these meetings with Jesus, they never really knew when it was going to happen.  So they went back to business and life as usual as they waited.

Maybe you are in a time of waiting or just getting things back to normal after some extenuating circumstances?  Or maybe you are just at an impasse and don’t know what is next for you.  As you commit each day to the Lord and continue in the business as usual, He will show up and He will lead you in the next step.  Your part is to be ready to follow the direction and go through the doors that He opens up for you to walk through.  Each step of the way, the disciples were given opportunities to take the next step and make the decision to obey or continue to go their own way. When they did what Jesus said, that is when their miracles showed up.  Your miracle and change of course will come to, but it is up to you to follow through.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all commit your whole life to following the leading of the Holy Spirit.  He has a great plan for you and when you do follow, you may experience some low points, but they will just be times of rest not disappointment or discouragement.  If you feel that you are stuck or at a point of being ready to step into what is next for your life, ask the Holy Spirit to make that path plain and clear and to give you the faith and grace to take the next steps when it is time.  Next, expect Him to show up and be watching out for the open doors that He puts in front of you.  You may even have thoughts of “That’s not it” but be sure to check in with Him to make sure you are not walking by and missing out on that opportunity just because it didn’t make sense to you at the time.  He knows what is best and He also knows what you will enjoy if you just give it a chance.  If the disciples had not been willing to throw their net in on the other side of the boat even though they had already be fishing all night long and caught nothing, they would have never experienced their miracle and worst of all, they would not have recognized that the LORD was there with them.  Make the decision today to always be willing to take the risk of following Him even when it doesn’t make sense in your “business as usual” world.  You will never know what is on the other side of those options until you take the step of faith He points you in.

Today’s scripture reading: John 21:1-14

1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 

2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 

4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”

6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 

8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 

9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 

13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

Always an escape

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.  1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation!  It seems like it is always out there haunting us.  Whether it’s big or small, it is still a trick of the devil to lead us off course.  Temptation is the lure that draws us into the enemy’s trap to be devoured by him!  We know from scripture that Satan is like a roaring lion looking for those he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8) 

Today’s scripture says, there are no new tricks.  Satan is still using the same old lies he used in the Garden of Eden, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16) Every one of us has been subjected to them at one point or another. Whether it’s something we see that we just have to have, something we feel that pushes us over the edge, or the desire for power and fame.  However, we do not have to give into these deceptions.  Often, we rename these things and call them: addictions, desire, ego, even television and social media.  The bottom line is anything can fall into these categories that steal our heart away from God.

So, what’s the solution?  God’s faithfulness!  The passage says God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to resist it.  You can count on it!  God wants to protect us from the enemy’s jaws, so He has given us a way to escape and it starts in our thoughts.  If you are allowing the lust of eyes, flesh, and pride to dominate your thought life, you are going to struggle with every temptation that comes your way.  James 1:14 says, we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own desires and enticed (aka thought life).  This takes us back to what we are putting into our hearts through our eyes, ears and even what is going in our mouth, or coming out.  What are you feeding your spirit?  This is why I cannot stress enough how important it is to put God’s Word into your heart every day.  Have a daily diet of the Word and then meditate on it and keep it in your heart and thoughts and on your lips often.  The Bible says to meditate on it day and night. (Psalms 1:2) What?  Is that even possible?  Well, I’ve concluded that we are always thinking about something.  Our brain is always going.  It is our responsibility to direct and take authority over our thoughts and not give them the ability to control us.  When your thoughts are in control of your life, you will fall into temptation every time.  By letting your spirit purposefully direct your thoughts to God’s Word, God’s plan and God’s purpose, then you will allow the Spirit of God to be in control and that is where your escape route is.

Today I want to encourage you to take inventory on your thoughts.  Recognize which thoughts you are following and which thoughts you are initiating.  It is totally up to you.  This is good news because you have the power to replace tempting thoughts with the Word of God!  Have a verse for each day ready to put in the place of these unwanted thoughts such as worry, doubt, confusion and fear.  Putting a plan in place will assure your victory every time!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

3 all ate the same spiritual food,

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;

9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;

10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Get ready

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Our lives here on earth are a series of trials, tests, and struggles.  Our goal is to overcome, but in order to do this it takes practice.  A good example of this is athletics.  An athlete that competes must first prepare for the competition.  He must discipline himself to eat the right diet and to do the daily training required to even have a chance at the prize.  He cannot skip even one day of his training.  Most days, he probably doesn’t feel like training, but he overcomes his feelings because he knows he must “suffer” to be prepared for the competition.  He keeps his focus on what his desired outcome is . . . Victory!  The way to get to that victory is to go through the struggle, discipline, and intense training required.  Surprisingly, after a while of living a life of this kind of discipline, the body begins to crave it and training becomes a habit.  The athlete no longer has to push through the feelings and suffering because he actually looks forward to the preparation time and getting better in his ability.

It’s the same thing with issues and problems we face each day.  If we sit idly by or just ignore difficulties, most of the time they will derail us from our overall goals and victories.  We need to keep our eye on the prize and remain single minded (focused).  This is where the preparation time becomes so crucial.  You have to build your faith and trust in God daily so that when the difficult times come, you are ready to overcome with the Word of God and your faith anchored strongly in Him through your relationship with Him. 

You can look at it this way.  If a thief breaks into your home, that is not the time to start looking for your weights to start building your muscles to be strong enough to overcome him.  You must make those preparations ahead of time.  It works the same way with overcoming the obstacles of life.  You must do the work before the trial “breaks in.”

In today’s verse, Paul is talking about disciplining his body.  He said he brings it into subjection so that he can talk to others about salvation without being disqualified by habits that pull him away from his focus.  Paul actually says that after all he has done for the kingdom of heaven and all that he has gone through, he can still be taken out of the race if he doesn’t keep control of his bodily habits.  He knew that there would be times he would have to push through his feelings, and he also knew there would still come times that he would have to resist the temptation to give up and quit. 

Today I want to encourage you to strengthen your faith by getting more of God’s Word in you. Make spending time fellowshipping with God a priority in your daily “workout.” Get prepared for all obstacles by being focused on what is on the other side of your fight and get ready for the joy of victory through every trial that comes your way. 

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Battle Scars

“Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27

Have you ever wondered why you go through struggles?  Why do any of us go through so many storms in our lives?  Doesn’t it seem like we are constantly stressing, worrying, or fighting against something or someone?  Why does life have to be so hard?

Today’s scripture is about Jesus showing the marks of His “battle” to Thomas.  He tells Thomas to look and touch them so that Thomas will believe that Jesus is truly back from death.  It seems like Jesus is disappointed in Thomas because he wouldn’t believe until he actually touched the print of the nails in Jesus’ hands.  But I believe this is in the scriptures for those of us who have the same issues that Thomas did; those of us who are inspired by the testimony of those who have been through a battle.  Jesus story/testimony was encouraging and brought life to the disciples again.  After Jesus died, they didn’t know what to do or how to go on with life.  However, when Jesus came back and told them His story and showed them His prints (the results) they were encouraged and had new direction and a fresh start.

So now we know the reason we go through battles, struggles, and storms.  It’s to persevere and get through to the other side with God’s help, so that we can turn around and show others our battle scars and tell the story of God’s faithfulness that got us through.  Then others who are currently in a storm will be encouraged and see hope for a future and fresh start.

Today I want to encourage you if you are struggling or battling right now, to find someone who has already come through a similar crisis successfully.  Ask them to share their story with you to stimulate new life in your circumstances.  If you are the one who has already come through some storms, ask the LORD to bring others across your path that may need encouraged and are going through similar storms that you have already been through.  Then be ready and willing to share your story/testimony of God’s faithfulness and show your healed wounds to encourage them.  Help others see hope to get through their storm and see the direction for their future on the other side of the crisis through your battle scars!

Today’s scripture reading:  John 20:24-31

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 

25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 

27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 

31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Peace

^{So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  John 20:21}

There is a little town close to where I love and about 2 times a week there are people standing on the busiest intersection yelling at people as they drive by.  It is pretty disturbing to me that they are trying to convey the love that God has for people in their fallen state by yelling at the cars going by that they are going to hell.  The message is 100% not inviting nor is it a good representation of how much God wants to rescue all people.  The only people I see them talking to in a normal tone is each other.  I will almost guarantee you that none of them really want to be there, but feel an obligation to get the message out in some way, so this is their route they take.   Sadly, these are our fellow workers, but instead of getting the plan from God, they just go out and check it off their list each week.

In today’s reading, Jesus visits His disciples after raising up from the dead.  He comes to them behind close doors right where they are.  His message is not one of “tell the world they are going to hell if they don’t stop sinning.” But rather He brings word of the peace He has purchased between God and man.  It is the same story that the angels told the night Jesus was born.  They said: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will to men.  This message was not from angels but from God!

This is the same message we are to share today.  Oh, we can go to the nearest street corner and yell at the passing traffic that God sent peace into the world through His Son Jesus.  But I think a more effective way to spread His Word is in a peaceful way like Jesus brought it to His disciples.  A message of peace I bring you from my Father in heaven.  He paid the price and penalty of sin with the blood of His then only Son Jesus, so that all people could know His unconditional love and experience God’s best for them in their everyday life.  That’s what He wants for you and that’s what He wants you to tell others.

Today I want to encourage you to share the love of God wherever you are.  You don’t have to yell at people to get their attention or tell them bad news of the direction they are heading.  Instead give them hope for a brighter future by changing their direction and head toward God and His plan for their life. He wants to save all people and He gave us a part to help in that work.  Share His peace plan with the world around you each day and your results will be much better than the yellers, I promise.

Today’s scripture reading: John 20:19-23

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 

20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

The Same Message

Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”  She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” John 20:13

As I read today’s passage, I wondered what message I was going to be able to share about the angel at the tomb of Jesus.  I thought about how the birth of Jesus started out with a message from an angel and now the end of His life involved angels too.  But what is the personal application?

Then I considered the message that the angel gave the Mary’s the morning of Jesus’ resurrection.  What was this message, and can it apply to us today?  In Matthew 28:5-7 it says: But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 

Sure enough, I went through the things the angel told them and found that it is the very message that we are to be sharing with others today.  As I list the things the angel said, consider how you can share this message with someone today?

First of all, he said: “Do not be afraid.”  In today’s world, fear is everywhere, and with good reason.  If you don’t know the Savior and know that He is working in the world, this place can be extremely scary.  We can make this offering to those who do not know. “You don’t have to be afraid; this is all part of a plan.

Next the angel told the women that they were seeking Jesus who was crucified.  Recently, the Lord showed me that everyone is searching and seeking for their Savior, they just don’t know it.  Most people fill up that empty space they have inside with things or other people, but never achieve the fulfillment that only Jesus can give.

The angel told them to come, see the place where the Lord lay.  After we have shared the message that you don’t have to be afraid and that Jesus is the answer to the void within, you invite them to come with you to church or small group to check it out so they can see the difference He has made in others.

That phase may go on for a while, but when surrender finally does happen, then it is time to share the message with others that are searching.  The angel told them to go quickly and tell others He is risen and not dead.  This is the hope of the world.  We have a Savior, and He is alive and ready to rescue all who will call on Him.

The assurance of your heart is that He is going before you.  God’s Spirit goes before you everyday to prepare the way for you to share the message of His love for the world.  As you begin to trust Him more to guide your life and commit to following His lead, you will see Him at work in the circumstances around you.  The angel said when you go, there you will see Him.

Today I want to encourage you to Not be afraid!  Consider the message of the angel the day Jesus came out of the grave. Have you received this message in your life?  If not, invite Him in today.  Then surrender all your cares and concerns over to Him and you will see Him at work is everything around you.  Share the message of the good news with others who are fearful and bring them with you as you come and see the difference He has made in the lives of those who have already been rescued.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading:  John 20:11-18

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 

12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 

13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

Focus on the details

_{For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.  John 20:9}

We have all probably had different thoughts about the details of the things Jesus went through leading up to His death.  Some may have focused on the beating He took, others may have thought about the crowd jeering and mocking Him.  Still, you may have thought about Jesus carrying His own cross to be nailed to.  There may have been thoughts of His suffering as He hung on the cross.  Probably some were reminded of the words He spoke on the cross, then the tomb and the three days He spent lying there lifeless. Most people only take time to think about the price Jesus paid during easter or communion time. Those are really the only times we stop from our busy schedule to purposely focus on all the details of what Jesus actually did to save us from an eternity of separation from God and without Him we would spend our eternal life suffering in hell.  

However, after those times are over, what details do you fucus on the next day?  Do you immediately shift your attention back to the world and the current crisis you are in?  Will you scan the headlines to see what the greatest threat is for this week?  Will you learn every detail and possible outcome to discuss in every conversation you will have about current events?  Why does your focus have to change?  Why do you have to turn your attention away from the price Jesus paid to free you from the current world circumstances?  Why don’t you instead keep your attention on the details of heaven?  Can we keep our focus on the details of our God and the details of our Savior, Jesus everyday we are alive?

Think about this:  What if you spent as much time studying and getting to know your Heavenly Father as you spent watching the news or learning about current events this week?  What if you focused on the details of heaven and the joy that is waiting for you there?  Why not learn down to the last detail about the love of God?  How He created us to have dominion over this world?  How He sent Jesus to defeat His enemy and every evil work he ever did in this world or ever will do?  Sin has been defeated!  Death has been conquered!  Sickness has been overcome!  Disease has been vanquished!  Anxiety, worry, doubt, fear, all triumphed over.  He hung on a cross so we wouldn’t be crushed or even threatened by any attack of the enemy, right now, here in this world! The work Jesus did on the cross was so big, there is nothing that can stand against it.  Nothing!!!  It wasn’t just a partial work of Salvation for after we die, it was a complete work of redemption so we can live this life in total victory!  Evil is not our focus, Victory is!  

Today I want to encourage you to keep your focus on the details of your Savior, Jesus!  You already have the victory!  Please stop looking at the things that have already been defeated!  They are not a threat to God or His people, but the only way to believe that is to focus on the God details, not the world details.  We are more than conquerors through Jesus!  Let’s start acting like it!

Today’s scripture reading:  John 20:1-10

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 

2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 

4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 

5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 

6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 

7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 

8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 

9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 

10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.