What an Easter celebration we had yesterday! Our church was adorned with decoration reminiscent of the Jerusalem of old, with our music team dressed in clothing reflecting that which might have been worn during that time period. We rejoiced with a chorus of “He Lives” and “Up from the Grave He Arose” and marveled that through the unbelievable, incredible power of the resurrection we are redeemed. Then we, maybe as you did, gathered around the lunch table to continue our celebration, thanking God for loving us to death, unto death. Following that we talked, watched the children play, went back for seconds and maybe even thirds of the delicious meal prepared for us and basked in the amazing sunshine by which He blanketed us. What a day! Here it is Monday ~ the day after. Some have returned to work, with others returning to school. Is Easter REALLY over? Is it just one day we celebrate, hunt eggs and dress up or is it a day that continues daily in our lives? I believe the celebration of Easter, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, should be a continuous party. Therein lays our hope. Without the resurrection our hope is lost in the ointment and grave clothes, the darkness of the borrowed tomb and the savagery of the crucifixion. Thus the question ~ how can we continue the celebration of the resurrection all year long? 1. Realize the same power that raised Him from the dead is the same power that saves and keeps us. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." ~Romans 10:13 (NIV) When God gives me the opportunity to lead someone to Him I always use this verse. As I do, I point out to them that anyone who calls WILL be saved. It is immediate. There is no waiting period. It is instantaneous. “It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.” ~Ephesians 1:13,14 (The Message) Once His power saves us it seals us and keeps us. I LOVE The Message’s translation of Ephesians 1:13,14…”(we are) home free – signed, sealed and delivered”. Once we are His nothing can separate us from Him ~ NOTHING. The seal refers to the divine protection He provides us once we are in the fold. Remember Romans 8: 38,39… For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~The Message 2. The same power that raised Him from the dead will empower us to complete His will in our lives. At the moment we come to know Jesus as our Savior we become a part of His world-wide plan. His desire is that all who draw breath come to realize the reality of the resurrection, its power and their need for Him. He uses us, those who are redeemed to accomplish His goal. He saves us, equips us and then sends us out into battle. I love the following portion of scripture outlining our importance in His overall plan:
You are Christ's body—that's who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your "part" mean anything. You're familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his "body": ~ 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 (The Message) We are all gifted differently, but gifted we are. God uniquely designed us for a specific role in His plan. His purpose for our lives may be totally different from someone else’s but He needs all of us. So, is Easter over for you until 2010 or is it Easter the day after? He saves us. He keeps us. He uses us. Celebrate every day as though it were Easter! In Him, Stefanie
apostles
prophets
teachers
miracle workers
healers
helpers
organizers
those who pray in tongues.
But it's obvious by now, isn't it, that Christ's church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? It's not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Prayer in Tongues, not all Interpreter of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called "important" parts.
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