April 9, 2007

• Everyday Is Easter

  

  Today we rejoice for He Lives!  Our very being is sustained by this very incident in history; the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior.  However, why do we only rejoice on this very day?  I understand its a day to commemorate that Jesus conquered death and LIVES but seriously ask yourself (especially if you are a Believer) why do we only rejoice in this day?  How many of you of us live everyday as if it was Easter?  Or do many of us live everyday like Good Friday?  On Easter day we celebrate Jesus resurrecting from His death but on Good Friday it’s really a day or sorrows and mourning especially Jesus’ disciples who left all they had in life to follow Him.  Good Friday was a day of despair and sorrow for many who loved and followed Jesus during his time on Earth.  Yet so many of us live in the perception of life.  Scripture depicts two disciples on the road to Emmaus as an example of how so many of us still doubt and do not believe even when the truth has been told and so we see it on The Walk To Emmaus…
  

   13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.

   17He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

     They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

   19“What things?” he asked.

     ”About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

   25He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ^[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

   28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

   30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

   33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

  Jesus Appears to the Disciples

   36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

   37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

   40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence.

   44He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

   45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

  The Ascension

   50When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

  Why do so many of us live our lives like good friday.  We become so focused on the situation at hand we fail to see the big picture God has before us.  Despite Jesus’ promises that He would raise from the dead and send His Holy Spirit to be with us so many of us like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus don’t see beyond what is in front of us sometimes.  Our struggle, trials, sorrows or whatever life throws at us blind us from remembering His Promises!  In a world that has so many problems, chaos, war, violence and injustice there is hope and that hope lies in the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Easter comes once a year as an American/International holiday but to those who BELIEVE…everyday is a day to rejoice in the redemption of our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Live each day as if it is Easter because He Lives.  Pray for those who are stuck in good friday so that they too might see the Glory of the Lord!  Praise the Lord forever more.

  PLEASE RESUBSCRIBE TO ME! =) I AM NOW SAPHOTO…SNGPIMPIN IS NO MORE!
  

  Cheers,
  Steve

  EDIT – I need some advice on how to clean my camera sensor and lenses.  How do you guys clean your equipment?  Give me the run down if you could.  Thanks!

  • 12:41 am
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