A lot is going on in this land and we need to pray for our leaders, but we don't want to forget about our number one passion—Christ's Passion.
It's hard to believe that it is the first day of Spring here in Dallas. Feels like it might even snow outside. Just pulled in the driveway, have a hard time thinking of decent titles for these quickie devo-snacks, but I just wanted to say hi.
Easter is right around the corner now. Do you plan to stay in town this year or do you plan to go out of town to go visit family or just to see a change of scenery? We wish you a wonderful Spring no matter what you do. Not sure what we will do yet, but we will start to celebrate and we won't even wait until it is Easter Day.
Spring Sprungeth.. Easter Cometh!
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'" ~John 11:25-26, niv
You know, explaining to friends, teaching on, or even preaching the Cross in some ho hum, stoic, Ka Sera Sera, detached, or emotionless manner would only display that you do not yet get it—don't understand Ress-day!
Hey, we don't need to fake anything like some hyped up disingenuous politician, nor do we ever want to bore our hearers with Scripture ..on the other hand.
Solution? First take the time to steal away to know the Word well and then enthusiastically go preach or share Christ's passion with His holy passion burning on the inside ..as Christ presents the opportunities! That's what is so infectious in witnessing His way.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.." ~1 Peter 1:3, niv
"The marvel of heaven and earth, of time and eternity, is the atoning death of Jesus Christ. This is the mystery that brings more glory to God than all creation." ~Charles H. Spurgeon
The Gospel all by itself is beyond uber-fantastic. There has never been anything like it or even close! If it be worthily preached or shared as God expects it to be, the truths are transformationally-tremendous in their import and will take hold upon the innermost fibres of a person's thirsty soul.
Boring dullness about Christ's passion—you know that powerless droning on and on and on minus any passion—in the pulpit, in the school hallway, in the break room with a friend, or out on the streets as you tell the ole Story …is simply intolerable.
It can only be accounted for on the assumption that the Christian or the minister has not fully apprehended his divine theme or the results the Message can bring.
Why was it once noticed by an unsuccessful clergyman who addressed the actor David Garrick.. Hey, you draw the multitudes while I [a minister..] still preach to empty pews? A. Because replied the actor.. I set forth fiction as if it were true while you preach the truth as if it were fiction!
Do you even believe what you are saying? Why don't you pass it on like you do? Where is the bonafied, certifiable, recognizable enthusiasm.. the thrill or sense of urgency?
We in Christ have the truth—the only lasting Solution for all mankind lost and in the dark! And we need to pray like we really mean it ..and be more and more Son-drenched by the reality and the compassionate Spirit of the Gospel of the risen Jesus!
"The highest act of love is the giving of the best Gift, and, if necessary, at the greatest cost, to the least deserving. That's what God did. At the loss of His Son's life to the totally undeserving, God gave the best Gift – the display of the glory of Christ who is the image of God." ~John Piper
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." ~Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:16, 17
If the money-minded secular world can start real early to get us all going for Christmas.. when the summer heat is still burning outside, then why can't we Christians start praying and experiencing Resurrection JOY early before that holiday arrives? It really doesn't matter what you do or don't do vocationally, Christian. All saints are called to tactfully spread the Gospel as we daily appropriate resurrection power, so let's get on with it and be about our Father's business.
