One of my favorite hymns is “Because He Lives.” The song contains many reasons why we can draw on the fact that Christ is alive to encourage us, strengthen us and enable us to live. This life is not just any life but the abundant life that Christ offers us in His Word. Are you rejoicing this Easter because Christ lives? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:1-8, On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.
Why do we look for the living among the dead? A good question; why do we continue to search for the meaning of life among things of the world that will lead us to death? We all want to live life to the fullest. We all want everything life has to offer. We all want. But we pursue things that won’t last.
Matthew 6:19-21; NLT; “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
This question is asked in God’s Word about the activities and life we live. When we pursue things that will rot, rust and decay we lose sight of the things in life that are truly valuable, the lives of others. Relationships are what is important. First and foremost, our relationship with Jesus. Then our relationship with others. We would do well to focus our time on building our relationship with God, through Jesus and then extending the understanding we receive to others. That is the best thing we can pursue.
Think about the people in your life that hold a special place in your heart. They are the ones who demonstrated how much they cared for you. They are the ones who were patient and gracious. They taught us, they helped when we failed. They walked alongside us to hold us up. They picked us up, dusted us off and encouraged us to keep trying.
David wrote in Psalm 23 about his relationship with God. He had figured out God was all he needed.
Psalm 23:1; NLT; The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.
Is Jesus Enough? Is He everything you need? Can He provide everything we need? YES!
Let me ask the question, are you living or surviving? Many people I know are just trying to get by. They are just trying to make ends meet. They work from one paycheck to the next hoping that nothing happens that will upset the delicate balance of their lives.
We know that is false hope. We know that life is full of circumstances that can put us into a tailspin in a moment’s notice. What we fail to realize is that we have made the choices that put us in those circumstances. We are the ones that guide and direct the things we do. We are responsible for pursuing things that are not beneficial, fulfilling or satisfying.
It doesn’t have to be that way. God provided guidance for us. God promised to care for us and provide for us. His provision is available, the choice is ours. God gave us a free will to choose. We decide and God honors our decision. Which way should we choose? Which way leads to the best life? Which way leads to life everlasting?
Let’s explore that a little. Who should know best how to live the best life possible? The creator of life Himself, God. When our car is broke, we don’t bring it to our lawyer. When our taxes need to be done, we don’t bring them to our mechanic. When we want to live an abundant life, we need to go to the source, God. He alone can provide what we need. He alone will guide us in the right direction. He alone cares enough to give His life for us.
Ask yourself, what am I willing to die for? Remember Christ was willing to die for us. However, he not only died for us but he rose again, victorious over death. He offers us forgiveness and life everlasting. He demonstrated to us that He has control over those things.
What one thing do we fear the most? Death. We fear not being here anymore. We fear our loved ones not being here with us. Christ offers victory over death. He is ALIVE!
As you celebrate Easter this week, think about God’s love for you. He loved you so much that He sent His son who gave His life for you, not to condemn you but to save you. You will find that promise in John’s Gospel, chapter three, verse 16-17.
John 3:16-17; NIV; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Truly celebrate this Easter with a new life, one provided for you by Jesus and His death and resurrection. I leave you with these words from the Hymn “Because He lives” God Bless.
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
~ William and Gloria Gaither ~
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
