This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey

I hope everyone had a great Easter; time with family, Easter egg hunts, and enjoying the weather. The mystery of how new growth in spring begins is incredible and so is the mystery talked about in sermons around the world last weekend. Jesus turning despair into hope when the tomb was empty and He was alive!

As talked about in sermons at First United Methodist Waco, this miracle of the risen Christ tells us there is life after death. It tells us what we need as we go forward. If we know Christ, we know God and building a life together by following the path Christ has laid leads to something meaningful and constructive. Each year Easter reminds of God’s love for us, fills us with joy, and refuels the soul for a successful journey ahead.

This Easter mystery of our Redeemer was prophesized in books like Isaiah in the Old Testament many years before the first Easter. The book of Isaiah was written 800 years before Christ. The name Isaiah means “Salvation of Jehovah” and the prophet Isaiah is known as the prophet of redemption.

In Isaiah 2, there was a plea made to Israel to focus more on God by being concerned about God’s truth and precepts more than personal gains and indulgences. Take a look at photo of the week. The thought was that searching and learning about God is where the miracle process begins. If individuals build a foundation with what God says is important, then the first steps to better people, families, and societies are taken. The people back in the time of Isaiah didn’t have what we have today. We have a path to follow; the path Christ has shown us. Here is a video that refuels my soul and I hope it does the same for you: Heart of Worship by Matt Maher.

As you go through the upcoming week, think about events that attract crowds of people like sporting events or concerts. Pray that church worship services will flourish and that God will give a heart of worship in His people so they enjoy going to church and urge others to join them.

Mark

In last week’s reading of John 20, Jesus revealed himself to Mary Magdalene and she went to tell others that He was alive. In John 21, Jesus reveals himself again when He empowers the disciples as they fish and catch more than they could’ve ever believed. In present times, Jesus has provided a way for those that follow His instructions to do more than they could’ve ever believed; empowering them to be creative, be productive, and learn things they didn’t think they could learn. Take a look at the photo of the week. There is indescribable potential just like in this video link: Indescribable by Chris Tomlin.

As Billy Graham stated one time, “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, “I love you.” Because of this love that God has for us, we should be inspired to action. It should inspire us to meet the needs of others. Those that love the Good Shepherd are qualified to feed His sheep. As you pray, ask God to give you opportunities and the initiative to take action when His sheep need to be fed.

As the disciples came to the shore, Jesus had breakfast ready for them. In the same way, He is ready to feed each of us with our Spiritual needs. What task do you have before you that seems impossible? Lift them up in your prayers and ask for direction.

One example of two people that have faced insurmountable odds yet gone through it and made something of it is Dick and Rick Hoyt. Dick is the father of Rick who has a crippling disease yet they race as a team in ironman races. They are an example of how love is proved by sacrifice just like Christ did on the cross and that it produces actions; things like helping someone in need, encouraging, or inspiring. They demonstrate that love finds a way and is the answer. Here is an inspiring video of Dick and Rick Hoyt with the song "I Can Only Imagine". If you would like to learn more about their story, here’s a link: Dick and Rick Hoyt.

Mark

After Jesus was crucified as written in John 20, His body was placed in a tomb. On the Sunday after the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and noticed the stone had been removed from the entrance. The body of Jesus was not there either so she ran to tell Peter and another disciple that Jesus’ body had been stolen. They immediately ran to the tomb to check and when they didn’t see the body, they went back home. Mary Magdalene stayed behind and that’s when Jesus revealed himself to her. Once Mary saw that Jesus was alive, see immediately went to tell the others.   

Jesus had made the impossible possible and today those who believe in Him can do the same. It’s up to each individual to claim a piece of His power. Our most precious valued possession and our greatest strength derives from God who gave our Redeemer the power to conquer death. He now lives to bring us that same victory. Here’s an impressive video: My Redeemer Lives by Nicole C Mullen. 

In your prayers, ask God to reveal himself to you. Pray that you feel His presence in making decisions, in the things you say, or in the things you do. Think of hopes and dreams you may have. Pray for stones being moved for you so hope remains alive for your dreams.

Here is the link to this week’s photo of the week with a caption that sums up the reading of John 20 for me.  Thanks for letting me share.

Mark

In continuing my journey through the book of John this week, I came to John 19 and the events that led up to the crucifixion of Christ. After Jesus was thrashed and a crown of thorns was placed on his head, blood flowed down his forehead, back, and side. He was forced to carry the heavy cross and as He walked the path to the site of the crucifixion, people whipped him and called him names. He was publically disgraced yet demonstrated poise under tremendous stress; showing concern for His mother by asking John to take care of her.

Jesus was already weak and had lost a lot of blood. Then they drove stakes into His hands which would attach the body to the cross were He hung and bled and died for you and I. He devoted His life to every detail of God’s plan as laid out in the Old Testament. His life was freely given up for everyone’s redemption.

He carried the weight of the world on His shoulder and He continues to carry us today. We are accepted by God because of Christ and since we are accepted by God, we have access to the same powerful God that can move mountains, calm storms, and sooth sorrows. In your prayers, be thankful there is freedom in Christ Jesus because the clear way to victory has been provided.

Thanks for letting me share and here is the link to photo of the week.

Mark