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Vol.6, No. 13– April 4, 2021
What You Have . . .
Romans 8:11, 16
If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. . . . For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us! –Romans 8:11, 16
What a timely statement by Paul on this Resurrection Sunday. For the believer, every Sunday is Resurrection Day, as well as the other days of the week. God has already given to the believer everything really needed. For the unbeliever, God is still chasing them with His mercy and grace; however, one day that chase will stop—in the end times of Christ’s return. The Resurrection demonstrates the power of God and the fulfillment of promise. It is also a warning for the unbeliever. The unbeliever casting off what God has done does not change its truth.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Why do people go around saying If I only had this . . . if only this were different . . . if I only had more money, then I could do what God wants me to do. That is such a selfish response to what God has already given. These are those who ignore the expectations God has already placed within them. God never asks for something you cannot give Him. He wants you to start with what He has already given you.
No person can ever have joy until learning to use what God has given. Joy does not come to those who are not thankful for God’s great gifts. Too many want to skip ahead and say they have already put in their time. One pastor would often use the phrase Too many keep themselves busy by sitting on their rusty dusties! True.
Life Application
The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. –John Burroughs
Never continue to let what you cannot do keep you from doing what you can do. Idleness paralyzes initiative. The vacillating mind makes everything seem impossible because it seems so. Extraordinary circumstances sought do not replace doing what God expects in ordinary situations. We do not need more strength, ability, training, money, or some great announcement of the opportunity; we need to follow Him. We need to use what we already have; what God has given us to use, and what He graciously supplies.
This Resurrection Day recommit to use your gifts to draw another to the Savior.
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. –Ecclesiastes 11:4
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
-Matt Boswell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-hD4VQs
