Friday, April 22, 2011

Three days



      These days in which we live, remind me of the time the disciples waited between Friday and Sunday. Christ died on the cross and was buried. He left behind only promises that they would see Him again. I’m sure it was the longest weekend of their lives. They felt alone, abandoned. They left their hope at the grave, sealed behind a stone. When He died, their futures died with Him. Life was over, so they thought.

Have you ever felt hopeless, abandoned, like life was over?

      What they didn’t know is that this wasn’t the end. In fact, it was just the beginning. On the third day He rose from the dead and gave them the gift of life everlasting. Not a continuation of the same life, but the beginning of a new one. A life now lived in victory – through Him. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead gave them power over sin – they were no longer slaves to it. He set them free!

Are you free?

      It wasn’t long before He left them again, and once more gave promises. They had to wait again – put their trust in Him – believe. Then He sent the Holy Spirit; to be their guide, comforter, and counselor, revealer of truth, keeper and strength. He set them apart for God, and kindled a fire of love and hope within their hearts, a flame that could not be quenched.

Do you need love and hope?

      Our time here, in a way, is like their long weekend of waiting. Christ has left us here with promises – but we are not alone, not abandoned. We have His Holy Spirit waiting with us, keeping us set apart for Him. We have that same fire burning within our hearts, keeping love and hope alive until all the promises of God are fulfilled. And then we will see Him. He is coming again.

Are you looking for Him?

       
      Behold, he is coming with clouds,
and every eye will see Him,
even they who pierced Him.
Rev. 1:7

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,"
says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come,
the Almighty." Rev. 1:8

8 comments:

  1. the neat thing with Him...it's never the end....there's always hope He's turning the worst into the best. Happy Easter.

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  2. yes! we are waiting patiently with our eye on the eastern sky!

    Rev. 1:8 in on the back of our Youth group t-shirts. On the front is Greta Omega Defenders...G O D.
    We watched The Passion of the Christ with them last night, some had never seen it. Not a dry eye in the house! Preparing for His Kingdom!

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  3. Love your flowers... I just love the resurrection of spring - such a sign of hope and life and of coming alive again.

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  4. What a beautiful reminder...the best is yet to come. No ear has heard, no eye has seen what Christ has in store for those who believe. Beautiful post.

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  5. There are so many days that I wander if this is the day that the Lord will come.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  6. Good insight, Charlotte. What a blessed hope we have.
    I hope you had a wonderful Easter.
    Charlotte

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  7. Not the end but the beginning. Life has many ends and it's easy to despair when they come. But God always has a new beginning waiting.

    Thanking Him for the resurrected beginning,
    Pamela

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  8. Good for you, posting this beautiful invitation. A perfect time for the lost to be told as well as for us to be reminded!

    Blessings, Debbie

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