The Church has been Deployed

I like some of the memes because they give me food for thought for my blogs. For those who aren’t 100% sure what a “meme” is, Merriam-Webster says a meme is “an amusing or interesting item (such as a captioned picture or video) or genre of items that is spread widely online, especially through social media.”

One came along during quarantine that struck a chord: “The church has left the building”. We have found that we ARE the church as we and our families are conducting church in our homes! And this one, I loved: “Yes, the Church is empty. But, so is the tomb!" And, “The Church isn’t empty. The Church has been deployed.”

The Church really has been deployed. Here we are on another Sunday and most churches are closed, but pastors and priests will be leading church services again via technological resources that have provided the opportunity to sit in our homes and watch online services given by a skeleton crew – a few people to lead in singing and speaking – all social distanced and looking into monitors to make sure their live feed is streaming to their audiences at home.

Has a sleeping giant been awakened? It seems a larger family of faith has arisen out of the chaos. I’m hearing reports of more people coming into the Family of God through the saving power of Jesus during these times. And, isn’t it something that this time is paralleling with what happened after Jesus was resurrected? In Acts we read about how the Church was deployed and when the “new and improved” Peter, after Pentecost, spoke about our risen Lord, over 3,000 people came to Christ in one day. I heard Pastor Craig Groeschel of Life.Church say that since quarantine, over 240,000 people made a declaration of faith in Christ via their livestream.

I seriously believe that God is doing something in a quick matter-of-time far beyond what man can do in a lifetime. Our buildings may still sit empty, but the Body of Crhist is more active than ever. Just look at us! We are still the Church triumphant and we’re alive and well – no matter whether we’re together at the same time or apart. The Good News of Jesus is still being proclaimed! Aw! Yes! That’s what Jesus meant when He said: "Truly, I tell all of you, the one who believes in me will also do what I’m doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I’m going to the Father.” (John 14:12) Today the good news of Jesus is going around the world – even though church buildings might be closed.

It seems that the coronavirus really did awaken a sleeping giant. It may have kept us from meeting together, but it has brought the broader family of faith together and has engaged the army of God’s people in a way that has not been seen in my lifetime. Indeed THE CHURCH has been deployed!

Because He Lives, We Can Face Tomorrow

One of my all-time favorite songs (not just at Easter) is Bill and Gloria Gaither’s beloved song, "Because He Lives”. Wow! Did they ever get that one right?!! Here is the chorus: “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know, He holds the future. My life is worth the living, just because He lives." What a perfect song to sing in light of these uncertain times we’re living in today!

I know those uncertain times – long before this pandemic. Ten years ago, during the Easter time of celebration, we received the call that jolted our lives. My husband's bone biopsy results came in. "He has Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma Cancer -- metastasized." That day, our unplanned Faith Journey would begin. During that Easter season before us, we embraced the cross of our Savior who bore the stripes for our healing like never before. We were committed to trusting in God's faithfulness. And, the prayers we prayed for God's wisdom and guidance, as well as our family's unwavering faith, tenacity and joy, was well intact the next 7-1/2 months until His total healing came when he graduated to heaven.

As I sing that chorus this Easter morning in my little quiet shelter-in-place, I realize that I have never sung those words with more fervor as I sing them today. Without a shadow of a doubt, ten years ago on April 5th, 2010, and TODAY, I have this strong, tenacious faith because I know our Lord has held my tomorrows in His tight grip for a very long time.

I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I do know WHO knows and as long as I maintain my "God perspective" on just about everything this life doles out, I know I will make it through every triumph and even what may look like a tragedy. How do I know that? It was because of what happened on Friday when our Lord died a horrific death. But TODAY, He rose from the dead. Today, we celebrate His miraculous "Comeback Story", and BECAUSE HE LIVES, each of our days can be filled with hope.

Not only was this Christ's greatest comeback EVER, but it can be OUR greatest COMEBACK, too! Christ's resurrection is an opportunity to have a transformed life by accepting His love and forgiveness." Indeed -- this day represents the greatest COMEBACK for Christ AND for you and me!

I know that so many reading this blog today are wondering if life will ever get back to normal again. Maybe, it’s not normal that we need. Maybe – it’s to rise to a higher, new normal – of gratitude for the blessings in the midst of the storm. Maybe it’s to face the future with the certainty that “Because Christ lives” – we can face insurmountable situations. May we all make the decision to hold fast to His love, mercy, and infinite wisdom. May we embrace the cross and the empty tomb that guarantees victory for our todays AND tomorrows. Because He lives, we CAN face tomorrow without fear. Because we know He holds our future, life is worth living – because He lives!

The Resurrection Changes Everything

It’s the day after Easter and the retail stores are offering 50% or more off their leftover plastic eggs, chocolate and stuffed bunnies. Many people may be already boxing up their Easter season décor. Isn’t this what we do routinely with most holiday celebrations? When the date has passed, we move on.

But, I’d like to take some more time to linger at the empty tomb and walk with Jesus’ followers as they absorb the fact that the tomb they once knew held their Beloved Jesus now sits empty. Jesus didn’t slow down after His resurrection. In fact, His involvement in the lives of His followers went into overdrive when He arose from the tomb. What I’ve too frequently done is rejoice at the empty tomb, as we all should, but then “life happens” and I allow the resurrection story to fade as I handle the ups and downs I happen to face on a daily basis. But the resurrection story should change EVERYTHING about everything in every single day of our lives.

Remember the two disciples who were returning home to Emmaus from Jerusalem after the crucifixion and the "supposed" resurrection of the Lord (Luke 24:13-35)? The women reported that angels at the empty tomb announced: "He is alive." But they thought those women were delusional. The reports of the empty tomb confused them, but that Sunday afternoon, Jesus met up with them. He encouraged them and explained the message of the resurrection, and reminded them of His promises to them, but they didn't recognize Him until He went home with them and broke bread, blessed it and gave it to them. Their eyes opened and they recognized Him. Then He disappeared. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32) Their hearts burned within them when He shared scriptures with them.

That is my prayer, too -- that my heart would burn within me at the reality of His unfailing Word and that I would be stirred by His presence in my life daily. Perhaps, if we continue in this magnificent truth of our Risen Lord on a daily basis, our hearts will continue to burn with faith, His love will flow from us to others who need an encounter with Him, and we just may be His hands extended to them. We are those disciples on the road to Emmaus, living our lives in the real world, walking along with Jesus who is always there with us on the road, whether we recognize Him or not. He listens to us and understands us because He became one of us. He gets us.

Are you confused, hurting, perplexed or need advice and wise counsel today? Maybe it's time to go for a life-changing "Walk with Jesus". I promise you – He’ll be walking with you! He lives! Now, let’s act like it! Let’s be resurrection people who walk, talk and live the Easter Story daily! I’ll see you later – it’s time for my daily walk!

God's Not Dead -- He's ALIVE!

The tomb is empty! The tomb wasn't for the dead after all. It was a Delivery Room for our LIVING Savior! This day is April 1st aka April Fool’s Day! SURPRISE, Satan! God’s NOT dead – He’s fully ALIVE!!!

The Apostle Peter said in Acts 2:24 "God raised Jesus up, loosing the PANGS of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it." That word, "pangs", is associated with labor and childbirth, so on that early "3rd Day" morning (probably 12:00 am because God just could not allow His Son to be in that tomb one minute longer), He must have said "It's time to get the SON up!" Indeed, the tomb became the Delivery Room for the Son of God. Can we even imagine that the tomb that held our Lord's cold, dead body was about to explode because of the POWER that was getting ready to burst forth life?. Notice that scripture again "because IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE for Him to be held by it." I remember Johnny Cash singing "Ain't no grave gonna' hold my body down!" And that song is not only true about the Son of God, it will also be true for you and me!

Our Lord LIVES, and so do we. Everyday is a new, bright resurrection morning, because of Christ's death, burial and rising to live forevermore. Only God can bring life out of a season of death. God just can't leave death well enough alone, can He? Up to this point, death was final. But while those He lived with, laughed with, and cried with, were in their deepest sorrow – the greatest of all miracles was taking place. Jesus was conquering death, hell and the grave, and that tomb they thought held Him, became empty. And that crown of thorns he wore became the crown of royalty He deserved. Dumb devil! He thought he had won. And, from that point to today.....we continue to give that dumb devil the reminder that "We know the rest of the story, and the end of the BOOK, and WE WIN!"

Perhaps, today, you are still living in the ashes of remorse, brokenness, depression, unforgiveness and a tomb is holding you back. You are still alive. Go ahead and put your hand over your heart. If it's beating, God has a destiny and mission for you to fulfill. You're here right now, so the resurrection power of Jesus Christ lives big in you. Let Him turn your tomb into a Delivery Room to new life today!

Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you!"

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Oh What a Beautiful Day!

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Oh What a Beautiful Day!
Joy, Hope, Peace, Comfort, Life Everlasting Came This Morning! Jesus' tomb wasn't for the dead. It was a birthing roomfor new life. That tomb became a Delivery Room.

The Apostle Peter said in Acts 2:24 "God raised Jesus up, loosing the PANGS of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it." That word, "pangs", is associated with labor and childbirth, so on that early "3rd Day" morning (probably 12:00 am -- God just could not allow His Son to be in that tomb one minute longer), so He must have said "It's time to get the SON up!" That tomb became the Delivery Room for the Son of God. Can you imagine that tomb was about to explode because of the POWER that was getting ready to burst forth. Notice that scripture again "because IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE for Him to be held by it." I remember Johnny Cash singing "Ain't no grave gonna' hold my body down!" And that song is not only true about the Son of God, but also you and me!

Our Lord LIVES, and SO DO I. Everyday is a new, bright resurrection morning, because of Christ's death, burial and rising to live forevermore. Only God can bring life out of a season of death. God just can't leave death well enough alone, can He?

Perhaps, today, you are still living in the ashes of remorse, brokenness, depression, and a tomb is holding you back. You are still alive. Go ahead and put your hand over your heart. If it's beating, God has a destiny and mission for you to fulfill. You could have been born sometime in history, but you weren't. You're here now, so the resurrection power of Jesus Christ lives big in you. Let Him turn your tomb into a Delivery Room to your new life today! Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you!"

Indeed it is a beautiful morning! He LIVES! Christ Jesus lives today. He'll walk with you and talk with you and tell you, ,you are His own! You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart! Happy Resurrection Morning!

How About a Life-Changing Walk With Jesus?

I saw bunnies still scampering about yesterday, but these ones weren't leaving Easter eggs. The Easter baskets have been put back into storage until next year, but the crux of the whole matter of Easter celebrations is still burning in our hearts. We are still in awe of this most essential, absolute reason for our faith. Our Lord LIVES!

Remember the disciples who were returning home to Emmaus from Jerusalem after the crucifixion and the "supposed" resurrection of the Lord (Luke 24:13-35)? The women reported that angels at the empty tomb told them He was alive. But they thought those women were "seeing things". The reports of the empty tomb confused them, but that Easter Sunday afternoon, Jesus met up with them. He encouraged them and explained to them the message of the resurrection, and reminded them of His promises to them, but they didn't recognize Him until He went home with them and broke bread, blessed it and gave it to them. They had seen Jesus do this when he fed the five thousand and the four thousand and in the Upper Room. Their eyes opened and they recognized Him. Then He disappeared.

It was then that they said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”

Their hearts burned within them when He shared scriptures with them. And that is my prayer, too. That my heart would burn within me at the reality of His unfailing Word and that I would be stirred by His presence in my life daily. Don't you love it when you've read or heard a scripture many times, but then all of a sudden we read it or hear it explained again, but this time it's like a light comes on and we finally "get it" -- just like those disciples realized it was Jesus in their midst. Suddenly God is revealing that scripture to us in a new way and it's His perfect timing for "His Word to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our pathway."

Perhaps, if we continue in this magnificent truth of our Risen Lord on a daily basis, our hearts will continue to burn with faith, His love will flow from us to others who need an encounter with Him, and we just may be His hands extended to them. We are those disciples on the road to Emmaus, living our lives in the real world, walking along with Jesus who is always there accompanying us on the road, whether we recognize Him or not. He listens to us, and understands us, because He became like us. He gets us. Are you confused, hurting, perplexed or need advice and wise counsel today? Maybe it's time to go for a life-changing "Walk With Jesus" today.