March 3, 2019
A Journey to Easter…
Come and See…
Everything is and will be…
Just as He Said…
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation.”1 Peter 1:3
Each one of us hear of people, and know desperately hurting people who are waiting, searching, seeking someone to answer their calls, their questions…someone who will listen when the world fails to answer. Someone who keeps promises. Perhaps you feel like that person now, desperate for answers to your questions, tired of all of the voices and opinions which bombard the world we live in. I certainly have been that person at various seasons of my life, even recently.
The truth…we all need the Promise-Keeper who is worthy of our trust. The One who will not disappoint; The One who will not betray; The One who will not forsake; The One who will not disown; The One who will not abandon; The One who runs to each one of us with His perfectly extravagant relentless love.
The Promise-Keeper is The One who desires to make a Triumphant Entry into each life…He is waiting. Jesus is waiting for the door of a heart to open. May we open our heart, and Come and See…
The Season of Lent-Forty Days and Six Sabbaths
The season of Lent will soon arrive as we have turned our calendars, basking in the delights of early blooms, and have begun the count-down to Easter. Lent is a period of time preceding Easter, originating in early church history; it invited its participant to examine the heart, and symbolized physical and spiritual cleansing of the old sin and debris, highlighting the need for repentance in the life of every person. Those who observed Lent looked forward with great expectation of the promise of new life found in and through belief in Jesus Christ. But, Lent first stressed the importance of looking back, for fasting and denying self of distractions, for prayer and repentance, simplicity and priority, preparing for God’s new work, purposed in the renewal and deepening of relationship with the Holy God. Today, liturgical and many evangelical churches observe Lent, in addition to the many individuals who find the observation to be a meaningful way to prepare to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, Easter.
As we begin the Journey to Easter with Christians throughout the world, I want to invite you to join me and embark on a personal journey from the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, March 6…until Easter Sunday, April 21.
- May we take the first step with a willing heart, overflowing with anticipation, expectation, and a heart committed to turn to God and to make an appointment with Him to meet with Him, on a daily basis.
- As we show up for our appointments, we will discover that our Heavenly Father is faithful to always show up; He is never too early, never too late; He is always there in His Perfect time…ready to meet with those who are willing to allow God to transform their, my distracted, perhaps, divided heart, to a heart wholly devoted to Him.
- May we be intentional to leave behind unnecessary distraction and baggage, asking God to clean out the contents of our hearts.
- Perhaps we could agree to each day, put away the distraction of our phones, media, including social media during the time we set aside to spend with our Father, The Promise-Keeper.
- Our Loving and Holy Heavenly Father is not interested in our self-denial for the sake of demonstration, rather He is looking into the Attitude of our Heart, seeking those who desire relationship with Him.
“He is not here; he has risen, just as He said. Come and see…then, go quickly and tell…”
Matthew 28:6-7 (NIV)
During these forty days and six Sabbaths, as we draw near to our Father, our Promise-Keeper, as we Read and Study His Word, as we Pray, and Listen, as we Journal and Record…I am confident we will find everything-every Word Jesus spoke to be absolutely true. May we understand that these days are not only for us, but they are for the other people God places in our lives and on our hearts during this time. During these days, may we look forward with expectation and may we be compelled to share our Jesus with others. Jesus desires to make a Triumphant Entry into each life…He is waiting. Jesus is waiting for the door of a heart to open.
Come and See…
Jesus,
The One we know and
The One we love…
Then, Go and Tell…
And invite…
Everything is, and will be…
Just as He Said!
Mark your calendar to begin your Journey-your Journal to Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019…
Easter blessings to you and your loved ones.
Love you in Jesus,
