Start Running!

How long have you been staring at that dream?

Seriously, how long have you been looking at it?

You've thought about it this way. Dreamed about it that way. Talked about it to her. Wrote about it to him.

But when are you going to stop holding onto your dream and get to living it? You can only stare at the finish line for so long. Unless you start running, you'll never really know what it's like to finish the race. Stop camping out at the starting line and get to running!

The Israelites had wandered for forty years trying to make it to their Promised Land. When they finally arrived at the river Jordan, they could see their promise. They witnessed it's riches, and they could see what blessings were waiting for them. They could have sat at that bank and dreamed about possessing that land all they wanted. But they would have never experienced it if they didn't step out in faith and go and possess their land.

They had to follow God's instructions. They had to remain diligent in what He told them. They had to unsheathe their swords and fight. They had to get out and do the work in order to posses their promises.

What work do you have to get out and do? What instructions do you need to start following? What steps do you need to make?

Go ahead and start running! Stop holding on to what could be, and start walking out what will be! Make your way toward the finish line. Get started, so you can finish strong.

Verse of the Day: Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:21

No Cause for Complaint

It is far too easy to complain. Reasons to gripe seem to appear everywhere: the pain we feel, the trouble we have to tangle with, the attitudes others give us, the injustices poured upon us... the list for reasons to complain is never empty.

Yet, it is not Christlike for us to complain. Jesus never complained. Even though he was constantly stalked by throngs of people, even though he had no real place to call home, despite being constantly challenged by the Jewish leaders... He never said a word.

Paul chose not to complain. In fact, he counted it a joy to suffer for the cause of Christ! Even when he was beaten, imprisoned, mocked and ridiculed, Paul counted everything a blessing. (Philippians 4)

We have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice. We no longer are bound to sin, hell, or the grave. We have been counted righteous before God. We have the privilege of direct access to the throne room of God. The Holy Spirit is always with us, ready and waiting to guide and direct us as we go through life. Whatever obstacles or challenges we face, we were already declared victorious over it all.

We have not one reason to justifiably complain about anything.

Today, let's challenge ourselves to rejoice in the Lord always. Let's look to send up words of thanksgiving in place of complaints during today. We are blessed beyond measure! There's no need to complain.

Verse of the Day: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

Throwback Thursday: You Can Stay Full of Joy!

So, yesterday I declared I was going to have a happy day. Of course, that didn't work. Happiness is fleeting, and by the afternoon my happiness had flown. Today, I'm going to be a bit wiser and declare that this will be a joyful day! Read the post below to figure out the difference.

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I don't know what it is, but I've been feeling a bit blah lately. Maybe it's the gray clouds in the sky. Maybe it's work. Maybe it's the fact that I really don't understand this new class I've started this semester. It could be a host of other things that aren't that great that are going on in my life.


Yesterday, I had enough of feeling blue. I reminded myself of the fact that the joy of the Lord is my strength. I shook myself and chose to change my mood.

It's easy to allow the occurrences of what's going on around us to affect what's going on inside us. I'm amazed sometimes at how quickly my own mood can change. There I was singing a happy song, feeling great, and something (usually it's a someone) just breezes through and ruins my sun shiny moment.

Sometimes we have to choose to rise above the negativity that would love to pull us down. We must remind ourselves that since we have the Lord, we have His joy. One of the definitions of joy is a source of happiness.* God is a constant source of happiness!

No matter what's going on, no matter what we face, we always have a source of happiness on the inside. It's just up to us to go to God and grab hold of His joy.

Just thinking on His attributes and meditating on His goodness is bound to bring a smile to your lips and a twinkle to your eye. Remembering His bountiful blessings and His renewed mercies is always a way to shift our perspectives and focus.

So, don't allow yourself to wallow in despondency. Don't give in to the frown that's trying to invade your face. As you stand in the midst of adversity, fight to maintain your source of strength. Remember that you have the joy of the Lord.

Verse of the Day: ...neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

*Dictionary.com

Wednesday's Word: Look to the Heart

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
1 Samuel 16:1, 6-12 (NIV)

Our society focuses so much on the outward appearance. Some people judge merely off of how someone appears. Samuel did this when he went searching for Israel's king. He focused on the outward qualities of Jesse's sons. Yet God was searching their hearts.

These same tall, strapping men cowered in the face of adversity. Later on, when they were challenged by the giant Goliath, not one of them stepped up to defend Israel. It was their youngest brother, David, who answered the call. He wasn't even old enough or even trained to fight! Yet, David knew the God that he served.

God sees your insides. He knows your heart. Despite how other people may judge you, the Lord knows your true worth. Don't allow the superficial judgments of others keep you from answering God's call. And, make sure you take time to get to know someone before you make a snap judgment. Look to their heart. You probably will change your mind.

True Forgiveness

Lately God has been dealing with me about forgiveness. In our society we like to say, "I'll forgive, but I'll never forget." We say that we forgive someone, but we always hold the offence against them. We never allow their error to be fully erased in our hearts.

Imagine if God treated us the same way! How many of us consistently offend the Lord - often in the same areas - and He consistently chooses to forgive us completely. When we ask for His forgiveness, He forgives and remembers our sin no more.

I know for me God's mercy and grace are two of the greatest things I love about being His child. No matter how much I mess up, the Lord is always there to take me in.

Yet, we humans have long memories. We never forget the one time someone offended us, let alone a couple of failures! We hold on to hurt, and we use that against those that seek redemption. But, how can we act this way as Christians? The very fact that we were forgiven for so much should motivate us to forgive someone else for the small things that they have done to us.

I'm not going to act like forgiveness is easy. I know how hard it can be to truly forgive. Yet, it is our responsibility as Christians to show love. We are to show the same kind of love that we've been shown by our Heavenly Father. If you find it hard to forgive, ask the Lord to strengthen you to get to the place of forgiveness. Allow His love to help you to love someone else in return.

Today, choose to show forgiveness. Purpose in your heart to really forgive that person who has wronged you. Even if they have not apologized, make it right in your own heart so that you can stand free before the Lord.

Verses of the Day:
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21, 22

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14, 15

Your Influence

The sign of a good leader is their ability to replicate themselves in others. Moses had Joshua. Elijah had Elisha. Jesus replicated Himself in His disciples. Paul helped Timothy grow as a leader.

In your life, who are you taking the time to pour into?

You may not consider yourself a leader on the same levels as the examples I've given, but you do have people watching you. You do have people who notice your good and bad habits. You do have people who notice your walk. It could be a coworker, your children, a neighbor, or a friend. Whoever it is, are you giving them a positive influence?

Take time this week to actively pour into another individual. Ask the Lord to show you who needs your positive influence. Ask Him to show you the right keys to place into someone else's hands.

As you focus on helping another person grow, you'll find yourself growing as well. As you share your wisdom, you'll learn some new things as well.

Don't keep all of your goodies to yourself! Go out and share what you have with those around you! You are full of priceless treasures that can be sown to produce a legacy that stands long after you are gone. Don't let the world miss out on your knowledge!

Verse of the Day: Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Thanksgiving Friday!

This week I'm thankful for LIFE! With so many tragic things happening, I am reminded that life is a gift that should be enjoyed. So, I don't have everything I may want, but I definitely have what I need. I have breath in my lungs, love all around, and a relationship with my heavenly Father.

Life is good.

I'm also thankful for the power of prayer. Through prayer, I can send comfort to those hurting, stand proxy for those in need, and show love for my fellow man.

What are you thankful for today? Make sure you show your gratitude!

Verse of the Day: Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD. Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. Psalm 105:1-6 (NLT)

Throwback: Flood!

With all the rain showers going on in Chicagoland today, I decided to repost an entry I did on flooding early in my blogging days.

Enjoy and stay dry!

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This past weekend, I went down to Tennessee to see a friend graduate from college. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by rising flood waters. I had to switch hotels, missed out on spending some quality time with my friend, and prayed that her graduation would even happen. Thankfully, it did – after switching venues several times, and moving back several hours – and I was able to get through the soaked roads to the venue.


This whole episode got me thinking. So much rain fell that everyone’s set agenda had to change. Everything had to stop to pay homage to the rising flood. No one could do what they wanted to, and we all had to move in response to what the waters dictated.

Sometimes God has to grab our attention in the same way. He has to allow certain catastrophes to occur in order for us to stand still and give Him our undivided eyesight. It’s amazing how an unsolvable problem sends us racing to the altar. It’s also somewhat disconcerting for our greatest spiritual growth to commence in the midst of our greatest sorrows.

I’m kind of embarrassed that I always nuzzle closest to God when I’m the most afraid, worried, or sad. It shouldn’t take tragedies of epic proportions for me to throw myself into the arms of my Heavenly Father. He shouldn’t feel jealous of how I carry on in life giving him some of my time when things are going well. He so obviously deserves more of my time no matter the situations in my life.

Just something to think about as you start your day today. Do you think God is considering allowing the waters to rain in your life just to get your attention? Take some quality time and snuggle in close to your Heavenly Father while everything’s going well. Spend some moments of peaceful deep contentment with the One you love above all others.

And even if you are in the midst of your storm season right now, know that God loves you and will never give you more than you can handle. Stay close to your Father, and He’ll take care of you.

Verse of the Day: In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18

Wednesday's Word: Stand Firm

And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.


But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.

Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. 

That is why the Holy Spirit says,
“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled,
when they tested me in the wilderness.
There your ancestors tested and tried my patience,
even though they saw my miracles for forty years.
So I was angry with them, and I said,
‘Their hearts always turn away from me.
They refuse to do what I tell them.’
So in my anger I took an oath:
‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 3:1-14 (NLT)   Don't lose your confidence in the Lord. Remain firm of your convictions in Christ. As you stand in faith, believing His Word, you will share in Christ's reward.   Have a blessed Day!

Pray For Boston

Seeing the tragedy that occurred in Boston on yesterday, I am encouraging you to take a moment to pray for the individuals, the families, and the city that was affected. Even though we can thank God that more lives were not lost, there still are countless people who will be affected by this for the rest of their lives. Send up a prayer for them today.

You Have the Victory!

This year our church has declared to be our year of victory. We have been praying, preaching, meditating, and singing victory since January.

As Christians, we have been given the victory through Jesus Christ. Many of us claim our victory, but fewer of us obtain our victory. Why? Because victories are only awarded after a fight, and many of us don't fight the good fight to obtain our victory.

We see the issue before us and claim defeat before we step on the battlefield. Or, we enter into the fray only to lose hope after it seems like we will never win. The devil resists us, and we take his resistance as superiority.

Even though we've been promised the victory, the devil is going to do his very best to keep us from getting the victory. He's going to use every weapon he has to discourage us from fighting. He wants to keep us bound, he wants to keep us down, and he wants to keep us from beating him.

We can't forget that the battle is fixed. We can't forget that we've already won. No matter how strongly the devil resists our advances, we have to remember that greater is God on the inside of us over our enemy! (1 John 4:4) We have to remember that we have the Lord of All assisting us in our fight!

Don't just claim victory this year. Don't allow the devil's resistance to keep you from overpowering him. Your God is stronger, wiser, and better than any imp that crosses your path.

You have the victory!

Now, go out there and fight for it.

Verse of the Day: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57, 58

Afternoon Ti: Thought For Today

Today I want to encourage you to enjoy today. You are alive! Today is a gift. You should enjoy it. You won't get another today.

Do something to make yourself smile. Enjoy something that you haven't in a while. Read a good book... buy yourself some flowers... watch a good movie... spend some time with your kids... watch the sunset... laugh with a friend... You get the picture.

Enjoy your day!

Thanksgiving Friday!

Happy Friday! The week has flown by, and it's time for the weekend again.

This week, I'm thankful I was able to take some time off and go on vacation. I got to visit a new place, hang out with some old friends, eat some great food, and enjoy a break from work. It's always good to take some time for yourself, and I definitely needed it!

I'm also thankful for this new class I'm taking. I'm telling you, learning new things about what you love to do does wonders for your motivation and drive. This class is making me look at my leadership, my team, and my ministry in a whole new way, and I am grateful for it. We can always do better! Thank You, Lord, for increasing my knowledge.

Finally, I'm thankful for my good friends and family. I had a conversation this week about some things that I wanted to achieve and places I wanted to go. I was hit with the truth bluntly, and it was exactly what I needed. Exactly. So, now I'm on a mission. Thank You Jesus for surrounding me with people who care enough to tell me the truth!

What are you grateful for this week? What has you smiling and praising God?

Verse of the Day: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1

Live Your Calling

Jesus came to earth to drastically improve our lives. With Him, we are reconciled back to God and can live eternally with the Lord. That eternal life begins when we accept Jesus. We don't have to wait until we get to heaven to experience our heavenly benefits.

In fact, Jesus showed us how to live when He was on the earth. Jesus walked in His calling and saw results. As He walked out His purpose, multitudes were drawn to hear His sermons. When Jesus stepped out in faith, miracles happened. His ministry caused people of all walks of life - shepherds, farmers, fishermen, carpenters, tax collectors, priests, and more - to experience the wealth of His wisdom.

I'm sure it wasn't easy. Jesus had to take time away to refresh Himself. At times He tried to escape the crowds only to have them follow Him to His hiding places. His own disciples at times did not understand His teaching. And then one of his closest disciples betrayed Him.

Yet, Jesus kept His eyes on the ultimate goal: salvation for all mankind. And because He persevered, He was able to reach His goal, and His one life became the saving grace for all of us.

Are you living out your best life? Are you walking in your call and enjoying the results? Are you seeing the fruit of following God's will? When troubles come, do you keep at it remembering the bigger picture?

It may be hard at times to live out our higher calling. Yet, because of Jesus, we have the added benefits of being God's children. Whatever we set out to do within God's plan will be successful. Sure, roadblocks will come. Yes, we will get tired. And there will certainly be people who let us down and even betray us.

Still, we can keep going knowing that our destination is sure... we can keep working knowing that we will reach our purpose in the Lord... we can endure the temporary pain seeing the great joy in our future.

Keep going. Don't give up. Remember Jesus' example. He's called you to follow in His footsteps. There's something great that you have to accomplish. There's a victory with your name on it. Go ahead and walk in your calling. Embrace your purpose and watch how your life will be blessed.

Verse of the Day: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10b

Wednesday's Word: God's On It!

In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.


When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.

Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” Daniel 10:1-14 (NLT)

Right now you may be standing in prayer, seeking God's face, fasting, and searching for God's answer for you. Time may have passed, and you may feel like God has not heard you or that God doesn't care. It may seem like your answer will never come, and you may be thinking of giving up.

Don't lose hope!

Just as He heard Daniel's first prayer, the Lord has heard your prayer as well. Your answer is on it's way! God has you in mind. You are precious to Him, and He loves you. The Lord will not leave you hanging.

Continue to trust in the Lord, and He will prove Himself faithful to you.

Walking Worthy

Several times in the New Testament, we are encouraged to "walk worthy" of the Lord. Walking worthy is an active practice requiring that one consistently remembers Who has redeemed them. None of us are really "worthy" of our salvation. All of us are sinners who were saved by God's great grace.

However, in thanksgiving for the gift that we have been given, the very least we can do is aim to walk worthy before God. Walking worthy involves getting the wisdom and knowledge that the Lord has for us in His word and applying that knowledge to our every day life.

Many of us are experts at garnering the Lord's wisdom. We have all kinds of study Bibles, prayer books, devotionals, and even Bible dictionaries and concordances to assist us with our study. Every Sunday, we dutifully take notes from the pastor's seromons. We stop by the tables after service and purchase all kinds of dvds and cds.

Yet, how many of us are applying all the knowledge we have? How many of us when encountering a real life issue, put into application all the head knowledge we've gathered up?

Today, I want to encourage you to "walk worthy" of your salvation! Put all your "Christian smarts" to good use and live out what you've been reading about! Apply what you've been studying! Put to good use what you've been hearing from the pulpit!

God has given you His most precious and special gift of salvation. What about your life reflects that?

Verse of the Day: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins... Colossians 1:10-14

Wednesday's Word: Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me

to devour me,

it is my enemies and my foes

who will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the LORD,

this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, LORD;

be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, LORD, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me,

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me,

the LORD will receive me.

Teach me your way, LORD;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27 (NIV)

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. It reminds me that I have no reason to fear or be anxious, because God is with me. It speaks to the joy that I feel when I enter into God's presence. When I am there, I never want to leave!

This chapter also speaks to my shortcomings. Often, my heart nudges me to seek the face of the Lord, but I find myself caught up in other things. I say that I'll spend time in prayer, and then I'll find myself doing something else. And by the time I do make it to the Lord, I'm asking for His forgiveness.

Yet, I can always be confident of the Lord's goodness. I can always count on Him to be there for me when I need Him. His love never fails.

He's Right Beside You

I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me... You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:8, 11

Many of us know that the Lord is with us. However, how many of us take advantage of the fact that the Lord is always right beside us?

David was unafraid of whatever challenge he faced because he knew that God was with him. He listened to the Lord's advice in how to live his life. And because David acknowledged God's presence, he lived a life of joy and pleasure.

Are you lacking direction? Do you not know what to do or where to go? Is your life without joy? Have you no pleasure in your way of living?

Perhaps you are missing out on the advantage of the Lord walking by your side.

The Bible says that the Lord will never leave us. He is always right there, ready, willing and able to help us in whatever we have need of. Even if it's something as simple as needing to smile, the Lord wants to help.

Today, take advantage of the Lord's presence. Allow Him to lead you, guide you, and fill your life with joy and purpose.

Verse of the Day: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

He Rose!

Yesterday, Christians around the world celebrated the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Yes, Jesus endured great suffering. He was whipped, He was mocked, He had a crown of thorns jammed into His skull... He was forced to carry His own cross, He was then nailed to it, He was pierced in His side...

Yet, the story does not end there.

Jesus rose from the dead!

And the angel answered and said unto the women,

Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;

 and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee;

there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Matthew 28:5-7

He's not in the grave anymore. He rose with all power in His hands! Jesus is victorious over death, hell, and the grave.

And because He lives, we have the opportunity to have eternal life with Him. We don't have to suffer. We don't have to go to hell. When we lay our physical bodies down, our spirits can enter into heaven's paradise forever. We can spend life in the presence of our King.

Have you embraced Jesus' gift of eternal life? Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior?

He died and rose so that you can be free!

Why stay in bondage any longer?

Verse of the Day: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:17-20