Never Ending Easter
Do you feel like you miss out on the peace and joy of Easter every year? Here’s an Easter meditation and prayer that will help and inspire you.
1. Identify where you’re missing resurrection.
Another Easter season is past.
Some of you walked away from your first Easter service without that loved one. Some of you walked away from Easter service trying to keep it together until you could make it out to the car before losing it because no one knows of the abuse you silently suffer day in and day out. Some of you walked away still trying to figure out how to make the house, car and electricity payment this month.
For many people they wander out of the Easter service and wonder if Jesus really died for their sins. They wonder about how a loving God could condemn people to eternal separation in a place called “hell”.
Some people are experiencing what can be considered “hell on earth” because of the horrific situations they find themselves in. Does God care?
Easter is over…so what?!? Who cares that so many lives are falling apart? Who really cares that so many hurting people walk in and out of the doors of the local church. Who really cares enough to make a difference?
Jesus does.
2. Be Transformed by the Scriptures
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:9-11, HCSB)
Jesus cares for you. Jesus cares so much that He gave His life in exchange for ours. He gave His life for all of us; every man, woman, boy and girl who has and ever will live.
Jesus loves you. It’s more than a children’s song, it’s the only solid truth that stands in this crazy world we call home. It’s the central theme that Dallas Willard points out in his book “The Divine Conspiracy”. It’s the heart of the Gospel.
From his daily devotion “Evidence of Jesus” Billy Graham writes: ”There is more evidence that Jesus rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar ever lived, or that Alexander the Great died at the age of 33.”
“So two contemporary theologians and speakers agree…big deal.” Is this your thought? The importance is that these two men come from very diverse backgrounds. One is the most highly recognizable evangelist of our time, and the other is a Christian philosopher and author. These are but two intelligent men who agree on the simple premise “Jesus loves me and you”.
How do we know He cares? How do we know He loves us?
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (1 John 3:16a, NIV)
“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, HCSB)
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet, I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith!” (Luke 12:27-28, HCSB)
3. Use this Prayer Now
You can pray this prayer right now: “God, I need to know that You are here. Come into my heart and make me new. I need to know that You do care for me, and that you love me. Show me today. Let me feel Your arms around me. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen.”
You don’t have to spend another moment alone. You don’t have to spend another moment being afraid. You don’t have to attempt to “hold it together”.
Consider the words of modern hymn writers Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford and Jeremy Riddle, and recorded by Kristian Stanfill and the Passion City Band on the Passion “White Flag” album:
“It’s higher than the mountains that I face,
And it’s stronger than the power of the grave
It’s constant in the trials and the change,
This one thing remains, this one thing remains
Your love never fails, it never gives up, never runs out on me
And on, and on, and on, and on it goes,
Yes, it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid,
This one thing remains,
This one thing remains.”
(Publishing: (c) 2010 Bethel Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Christajoy Music (BMI) (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) / Mercy Vineyard Publishing (ASCAP)
Writing: Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford and Jeremy Riddle
Tomorrow you can get up and face the day because of this truth: the grave is still empty, Jesus is still alive, and He loves you the same.
Copyright David Shelton 2012. All rights reserved.