2 little words

 

As I scrolled through my Facebook News Feed on Sunday, I smiled as Friends and Family posted Easter Greetings. Some posted pictures of their family all dressed in matching spring outfits. Some posted pictures of their kids knee deep in Easter goodies. One post stood out to me above all the others. I have not been able to let go of it, even now. It was simple. Just 2 words. At first I thought that this was in response to something someone had posted on this person's timeline, but when I went to investigate, I discovered that it was a stand alone post. Just 2 little words.

 

When I left this person's FB and went back to my news feed, the meaning of the 2 word post sucker punched me in the gut. All over my news feed, friends and family were posting 3 little words.

 

"He has risen!"

 

To which one friend replied those 2 little words:

 

"Who has?"
 

Even now, it makes my heart race a little. Not because I think that this person does not know who rose. Not because I believe that this person has never heard of Jesus Christ. Quite the opposite really.

Here in the south, there are few, if any who are unaware of why Christians celebrate Easter. I know that this person knows exactly who the Christians on FB were referring to.

 

I thought that perhaps this was simply a religious statement. More of a "Not everyone is a Christian" exclamation. I do remember that this person is of a faith that does not recognize Jesus as Messiah. Perhaps this was just a way for this person to support their faith? So, I checked out the person's FB again today. Sadly, it was filled with criticisms, rants, and all sorts of negativity. I've rarely been confronted with someone who is so obviously filled with hate.This understanding is what makes my heart race a little. Not because this person hasn't been told the Good News, but because  2 little words let me know that they had rejected it.

 

These 2 little words scream, "Your Jesus is not important to me,"  and  "Your Jesus has no bearing on my life."

 

Here in the South, in the "Bible Belt", most people claim to be a Christian, and I am rarely confronted with anyone who blatantly stands against Christ.  2 little words reminded me that not everyone believes. Some still openly reject Him. 

 

We still have a lot of work to do.

 

 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:17

 

The Value of the Valley

 

I am stubborn and rebellious and it takes me a long time to learn anything, BUT over the past 10 or so years,  I've learned that my greatest spiritual growth has occurred while I was in the valley. "Valleys" are those times when God allowed me to face seemingly impossible obstacles in order to stretch my faith. Sometimes my obstacle was something from my past that reared its ugly head to wreak havoc on my present. Several times, the obstacle was illness. There were times when broken relationships caused more pain than I thought I could bear. No matter the specific circumstance,  most often, the greatest obstacle for me to overcome is fear of the unknown.

 

Not knowing the outcome of a situation causes me a great deal of anxiety. I have found myself wondering "what if I do this 'God's way' and it all blows up in my face?" or "If I handle this the way God expects, will I still get the result I want?" I suppose I'm really asking, "Is God trustworthy?"

I've learned that a trip through the valley has tremendous value, especially when it comes to learning to trust God. 

In the valley we face our fears. In the valley, we hang on when nothing makes sense, trusting only that God is in control, that He has a plan, and that His plan is best. We close our eyes and cling to the Father while our world seems to come crashing down, trusting that HE is in control. We allow ourselves to be pushed past comfortable to the point of pain because we trust that God knows things we do not, can see the outcome we cannot, and that the pain we are going through will be worth it.

In the valley we confront our demons. We make peace with our past and learn to trust God with our future. Our faith is stretched and strengthened and our hearts healed in the valley. A walk through the darkest valley will challenge our belief, expose our doubts, and reveal those things in which we have misplaced our trust. I found the answer to the most important question I've ever asked there.

"Can I trust God?"
 

I've learned that the answer to this question is a resounding yes! In the valley God proved that He is indeed trustworthy, that HIS way is truly and absolutely the best way, and that He has a plan and a purpose...and ultimately it is to bring HIM glory.


Thinking back over Easter weekend, I am reminded of Silent Saturday. What a valley those who loved Jesus were in. I try and remember this when I am in a valley. God has a plan. Just because I can's see Him at work doesn't mean He has abandoned me. I;ve learned that a trip through the valley is good for my soul. It makes me cling to Jesus, reveals His working in my heart, and prepares me for what ever He has planned for the rest of my days.

I am not insinuating that a trip through the valley will make all troubles disappear. When we emerge from the valley, things will not likely be "good as new". Spiritual healing doesn't erase the past. We will bear the scars of living life.... but we will be spiritually stronger, we will be freed from bondage, we will be healed.

Christ the Lord is Risen today!!!

FINALLY!
It's Easter! I have barely been able to contain myself! I've waited for today allll week!!!!!!! Here's what I've been waiting for....

John 20

The Empty Tomb

20 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed^[a] from the tomb. ² So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!”

³ At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵ Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. ⁶ Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. ⁷ The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. ⁸ The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. ⁹ For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples went home again.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

¹¹ But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. ¹² She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying. ¹³ They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” ¹⁴ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus.
¹⁵ “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.”
¹⁶ Jesus said, “Mary.”
Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”^[b]—which means “Teacher.”
¹⁷ “Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father—to My God and your God.”
¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what^[c] He had said to her.

OH! How I love Jesus! IS that not he most precious picture? Can you IMAGINE how poor Mary's heart must have jumped from her chest when she heard the LORD say her name??? Oh! How He loves us! He always takes that extra step to show His absolute love for us. I am moved to tears of sheer JOY picturing Mary as The Lord of all Creation spoke her name. What an Awesome God we serve!

IT'S SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!
God is alive!
Death is Defeated!
Hope of Heaven is given to all who believe!


It's Sunday.
The day My Lord and Savior defeated death so that I could have life.

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

Read more: Casting Crowns - Glorious Day Lyrics | MetroLyrics .


He's coming back. Not as a baby. Not to be crucified on a cross. This time He will come and claim His people for Heaven. Satan will be defeated once for all. And we will live in Heaven for all eternity. Oh Glorious Day!!!