The Resurrection - Does it Matter?

Here we are a week or so post-Easter, and one question (along with its answer) has been floating around in my head. The Resurrection...does it matter? Is it really that important that Christ rose from the grave?

Well, if you answered, “Yes,” you are absolutely correct! You get 300,000 points. (They are pretend points, by the way, so if you got really excited, I apologize.)

If you answered, “Well, it really doesn't matter. It's not a big deal whether or not He rose, just as long as He died for our sins,” then, I would love to share something with you.

Let's take a look at 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. It is a lengthy passage, but we're gonna take it piece by piece. I will dissect the passage as we go, interspersing my comments in italics and using bold font for the Scripture.

Here it goes: 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? In other words, there were people in the Corinthian church at that time who didn't believe in the resurrection of Jesus or anyone else for that matter. Resurrection, to them, was not reality. 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. Did you see that!?! If the resurrection didn't happen, then what we tell others is a joke. Worse than that though, Paul says that if the resurrection was a farce, then our faith in Christ is useless...empty...powerless to save. We might as well pack up our Bibles and never darken the doors of church again. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead. OUCH! If there is no resurrection from the dead – if Jesus did not rise again – then any one of us who speaks of Christ being raised from the dead is a, for lack of a better term, LIAR to and about God. But He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. I don't know about you, but that's just plain scary to me – the thought that I could still be “in my sins.” I believe that Christ came so that I didn't have to be condemned by my sinfulness. If He is not raised, then I am in BIG trouble and so are you! 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. Oh, and if this hasn't been bad enough news, if there is no resurrection from the dead, then all of your and my deceased loved ones are just that – deceased. They are not waiting for you in Heaven. You and I will never see them again. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. Yep, I agree. If Jesus never rose from the dead and conquered death and its power, then we are living a lie, lying to those around us, lying to ourselves and just plain deceived. If that were the case, I would pity me, too. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. And there you have it. Don't you just love it when God slides a “but” in the midst of something so awful and terrible you can't bear to take it another second? I sure do.

So in light of these things, let me ask you again. The Resurrection...does it matter? Is it important that Christ rose from the grave? The resounding answer that I so long to hear even through my computer speakers right now MUST indeed be “YES!”

Until we see each other again...in print, enjoy your life in the light of the resurrection. For, it truly is a reality.

Dearest Jesus, I am so very thankful that I can trust in the resurrection...in Your resurrection, which secured my own. Thank You for conquering death and sin and giving me life here and in eternity with You. Thank You.  

Perfect Peace is Possible

It was early morning, and the stress of the day was exhibiting itself in my body and on my face. There was so much to do in such a short amount of time.  My day was full from the moment I arose from my slobbered-slumber, (you know that that is, right?) and barring Jesus coming back, it was not going to get any LESS full!  

Stumbling into the kitchen to heat up my cup of coffee that my husband had so graciously placed beside the bed, I took my first real look outside and saw life.  The trees were budding, and the grass was greener than I'd seen it in a long time.  Everything looked peaceful, and I wondered why I didn't feel so peaceful.  

Then, a little, blue rectangular sheet of paper stuck to the window caught my eye.  I had printed it out several days earlier, but this morning, the words printed on it, made me...well...relax.  

I'll bet you are just a little curious...right?  What was on that little slip of bright blue paper that softened the hard muscles in my shoulders and erased the scowl imprinted on my forehead?  

Okay, since you are so curious, I will tell you.  This is what I read: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You  Is. 26:3.  

That's all.  

I know from past experience, that as long as I focus on "myself" and "my" day and how much "I" have to do, my stress level only rises.  HOWEVER, when my priorities are placed where they should be...when my eyes are focused on my Jesus...when I truly choose to trust that He has already designed my day in perfect fashion, then that "perfect peace" really does exist.  My day no longer becomes what I HAVE to do, but what I GET to do for Him. That's a whole lot more fun than living my day in dread of the "next" thing. 

So you know what?  I think I'm gonna leave that little blue sheet of rectangular paper on my window until it turns pale white in the sunshine and the paper begins to disintegrate from age.  I need...really NEED His remedies for my life.  I need His Word filling my life and my window panes.  I need it.  

Guess what?  You do, too.  We all do.  So, maybe you should find some really bright blue rectangular paper and print out that verse for your very own.  How funny would it be to find that verse in every window sill in the city?  I can guarantee, if that were the case, tense-filled shoulders and imprinted scowls would become the exception to the rule in our lives, instead of the norm.  

Thank You, Lord for Your Word that truly does speak to me, Your child.  Thank You that Your Word is always timely and knows just what I need, when I need it.  I praise You, Father.  Always.  

O Isn't Grace Wonderful

It had been a long week.  My daily schedule was an absolute mess. I was tired, irritable, cranky, and I missed my time alone with Jesus.  When I finally did get a chance to sit down and speak with Him for more than a few minutes, I found myself unable to focus on my requests.  I finally just said, "Jesus, I just don't feel like I deserve to ask for these things."  His sweet Spirit whispered to my heart some very comforting words: "Belinda, you have never deserved to ask for them."  

I smiled to myself.  I think He was smiling, as well.  He was right. I have never "deserved" anything from Him.  All of my struggles...all of my good intentions...all of my time spent in prayer...all of my deeds done for Him...nothing would ever cause me to DESERVE anything from Him.  

How cool is that?!  Hang on...it really is cool.  Stay with me a little longer.    

If it stopped right there - if I never deserved to request anything from the Lord, then all would be lost and hopeless. Yet, because of the powerful grace of Jesus, because of His endless mercy, because He gave me His Spirit...His life...His righteousness...because of these things, I can "draw near with confidence to the throne of GRACE, so that "I" may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).

My standing before the Father has nothing to do with MY standing. Instead, it has everything to do with Jesus' standing before His Father.  He took my righteousness that was as filthy, nasty, putrid rags upon Himself and replaced my dirtiness with His own purity (Is. 64:6).  

Thank You, Jesus.  Thank You that I am free to come before my Father in heaven, because of You.  Thank You that You don't require perfection.  You require submission.   I praise You for Your grace today.  I praise You.    

The Science of a "Good" Fight

I watched intensely as the trickle increased in volume. Soon, what had started out as a small, steady stream of water became a quickly descending torrent in our side yard. Don't get me wrong...that's what I WANTED to happen. I had spent hours actually trying to make it happen. I had purposefully “released” the barriers upstream. Before I knew it, the water came pouring down the drainage ditch and out into the pond.

As I stood there watching how the water was moving, I couldn't help but think about the science behind it all – how water molecules LOVE each other. They are highly attracted to one another - so much so, that as soon as one H2O molecule screams “PARTY,” thousands of others climb aboard for the ride. It's the same process that causes water to pool in parking lots when it's raining and dance on your windows as you drive through a storm.

It's just plain science. Dam leaks become breaks; streams become rivers; and trickles become torrents. Water simply “pulls itself” along because of the attraction.

That is, unless it's stopped.

In a similar way, arguments “pull themselves” along. The words get louder, and the stances become more demonstrative. Tempers that were flared in the beginning, become incensed and inflamed. Words that were used cautiously at first, become darts shooting straight for the heart.

Proverbs 17:14 says, “The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore, stop contention before a quarrel starts.” Did you see that? Read it again...I'll wait.

Just like water molecules are attracted to one another and love to bond, strife (hurt feelings, angry emotions, fearful expectations) loves more strife. We, as humans, love a good fight. Sad, isn't it? After all, there's really no such a thing as a “good fight.”

But God says, we don't have to fight. We can stop strife, before it “gets ugly.” Pretty wise WORDS, don't you think?

One way our family is practicing this is to ask ourselves an important question: “Is it worth it?” Is the quarrel you are engaging in, or about to engage in, worth it? Is it worth the damage that it will cause the relationship? Is it worth the destruction when the torrent begins? Will good come out of this?

If not, then the altercation must stop. The best way to accomplish this, I've found, is to seal the dam before it breaks. In other words, I bite my tongue (figuratively or literally, if need be) and surrender the situation to Jesus. I don't know about you, but I can't afford, nor do I need a river running through my den or anywhere else for that matter.

So the next time you feel anger welling inside you, remember my ditch. Remember the science behind the flow of water. Remember God saying that the beginning of strife...the very beginning of the argument...is the place where it needs to stop before it gets totally out of control. Remember, and then respond with determination.

Thank You, Father. Thank You that You have given me pictures of life throughout nature. Just like the releasing of water, help me to recognize problems before they start and respond accordingly. Thank You that You will do this for me. I praise You, Father.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

“Rain, Rain go away. Come again another day.” I used to sing this little verse when I was small, stuck inside gazing out the window like the two kids on the first page of the Cat in the Hat book. Yet sometimes, I find myself singing it even now...not about the “wet stuff,” but about the “hard stuff.”

I don't know why I don't expect trouble in my life. You would think that I would know that it was just part of living. Scripture tells me so. Believers in the Early Church experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground (Hebrews 11:36-38).

And we're not exempt either. James 1:2 says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds...

So it's not a question of “if” we will experience difficulties as Believers. It's just a matter of “when.”

How do we cope with this? How can we stand strong during these times and not falter in our faith?

The answer is pretty straightforward: We must KNOW Him. We must know the mind of Christ, and in order to know the mind of Christ – what He desires from us and for us – we must know His Word.

A great place to start is Matthew, chapters 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount). This section of Scripture explains kingdom-life for the Believer. It tells us how to respond to God, to each other, to our enemies. It covers just about every attitude and situation that will arise.

As a matter of fact, before you go any further, it would be great for you (and me) to read all three chapters right now. Okay, go ahead. Get your Bible and read. I'll see you back in a minute.

So are you done? Boy, that was fast!

Did you see the last few verses of chapter 7? Those verses contain the answer to our questions and concerns. They give us hope that even though we WILL face trials and troubles, problems and persecutions, rain and even ice, we still have the ability to stand strong in our faith.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:24-27).

The rains will come. The streams will rise. The winds will blow and beat against you. Yet, if you have heard the words of Christ and put those things into practice, your faith will remain strong. You won't falter. You won't fall. You will stand and stand strong.

On the other hand, if you hear His Words and don't choose to put them into practice, then when the rains come and the streams rise and the wind beats against your life, then sadly, you won't stand strong. Your foundation will give way, and “great” will be your crash.

Study the Word. Put His sayings and teachings into practice. Search for Him desperately in the pages of your Bible. Then smile at the storms when they come. Stand confidently in the midst of rain, and look forward with hope to what comes after the wind.

I praise You, Jesus. I praise You that You didn't just leave me here on this earth without any help...without any instructions on how to live. Instead, You have provided me with everything I need to glorify You in my life through my struggles. Thank You, Father.  

Mama and Papa Bear Behind Bars

It happens to us all.  We are minding our own business, and then all of the sudden, WHAM!  It's like a flip is switched somewhere down deep in our beings, and it's a difficult thing to handle what comes next.

I'm talking about the emotional surging of anger that threatens to take us over when we, or someone we love, feels violated.  It's a natural reaction - human nature, right?  Right.  Yet, if we are Believers in Christ, that "natural" reaction must be contained, or else the "Mama and Papa Bear" in us all might appear.  And woe to the receiver of his or her bite!

Know what I mean?

Scripture speaks about anger frequently.  For instance, Colossians 3:8 says, But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  James 1:20 explains further that man's anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

"Well, that's great, Belinda.  But how in the world am I supposed to deal with this beast that lies within me?"  I'm glad you asked.  The answer lies in the latter part of II Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

Did you catch that?  We become "Jailers" of our thought life.
We take captive or "grab hold" of EVERY thought and make it obedient to Christ.

Thoughts of aggression when someone breaks line in front of us - whether in a car or in line at the store, become prisoners of war. We choose to remove the poisonous angry thoughts and replace them with the thoughts of Christ, making them obedient to Him. Instead of spurting out words of disgust and anger, we choose to hold those not-so-nice thoughts behind the prison bars of our pearly whites. We choose to think, "Yes, you broke in front of me. Yes, you took my spot and disrespected my time.  Yet, I will choose to forgive you, because I have been forgiven freely by Christ of sooo many wrongs myself.  I will choose to love you, as Christ loved me.  You are not my enemy. I will even pray for you.  I pray that the Spirit will convict you of your wrongs and drive you to Jesus."  

Talk about a life-changer!  When we choose to do that - when we choose to change our thoughts and take them captive to make them obedient to Christ - our attitudes and our actions become those things which DO bring about the righteousness of Christ.  We change.  We become the example of Christ we so desperately desire.

The by-product of this type of life is spiritual fruit.  People begin to take note of our patience when wronged.  They wonder why we don't respond in the "natural way" - the way THEY would have.

Yes, we are human.  Yes, we have sinful natures.  Yes, we will become angry. Next time, though, let's choose to change things around a bit.  The world is tired of seeing Mama and Papa Bear. They want to see something different...something unlike anything they've ever seen.  They want to see someone different..SOMEONE like no one they've ever met.  They want to see Christ, so let's keep our thoughts in check and show Him to them.  Deal?  Deal.

Father, it's so hard to control my anger.  I pray You will help me. Help me take my thoughts captive before they destroy me and the ones around me.  Thank You that You want this life-change in me, even more than I want it in myself.  I love You, Father.  

Looking Forward

Well...looks like I've been out of the loop for a while, but I am back.  Looking forward to posting a new thought within the next couple of days.   Thanks for being patient!

In Him,
Belinda