Rev. Rick Calloway
Today's Scripture
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
Today's Prayer
Thank God today for the power of the cross. Specifically, thank Him for resurrection power that is in our lives. The power that not only saved us but gives us what we need daily to overcome any obstacle or circumstance in our lives. Pray and ask God to give you the courage to turn over those worries that have been consuming you, recognizing that resurrection power is greater than anything you are facing.
Additional Devotion for Today
"When Jesus Shows Up"
Easter is such a reminder of the hope that Jesus brings. If we could define hope Biblically, we would say it like this: “The confident expectation of what God promised, and its strength is in His faithfulness.” These last twelve months have been tough. Hope has been hard to find. At the very first Easter, hope was hard to find as well. It was especially hard to find that Friday and Saturday after Jesus had gone to the cross.
Can you imagine how the followers of Jesus must have felt that Friday afternoon when Jesus was crucified? Their Messiah and leader appeared gone. When hope seemed out of reach, Jesus showed up at the right time. When Jesus shows up everything changes! That is still true today.
I want to remind you this Easter how Jesus showing up changes everything with three reminders.
1) Jesus shows up in places of sorrow.
On that first Easter Sunday morning, Jesus met Mary Magdalene on her way to the tomb. Once she realized who He was, her tears of sadness turned to tears of joy. You see Jesus is not only a powerful God, but He is also a personal God. For those of you who are experiencing sorrow today, Jesus wants to do the same for you.
2) Jesus also shows up in places of fear.
That first Easter after the crucifixion, the disciples were hiding in a room afraid that the ones who killed Jesus might be coming for them. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to them in that locked room. These scared followers would soon be transformed into those who would turn the world upside down. The first words Jesus spoke to His disciples in that room in John 20 verse 19 were: “peace be with you.” Do not miss this! The one thing they were lacking was the very thing He offered!! Do you need His peace today? It is there just for you and me.
3) Jesus also shows up in places of doubt.
Thomas was one of Jesus followers that was not in the room when Jesus first appeared. He had doubts and needed to see it to believe it. I think Thomas wanted to believe but he needed to see. His faith needed more evidence. In Chapter 20:26-29, Jesus shows up again and gives that evidence to Thomas. Jesus wants to meet us in a place of doubt.
Our prayer is that this Easter you might take a step towards Jesus and experience His hope! In evangelism circles, we have asked a question for years that goes like this: “If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity?” Nothing wrong with that question, but maybe we could ask it differently this Easter.
What if we asked instead: “What if you did not die today and go on living the same exact way for years to come with no real purpose and not experience His hope or peace? Just go through the motions and miss out on the best that Jesus for you.” Jesus is bigger than our sorrows, our fears, and our doubts today.
Jesus did not just conquer the grave on Easter and forgive our sins. Although, that is huge!!! Jesus did all of this to bring life where there has been no hope. Would you reach out and claim that hope today?
We leave you with Romans 5:5 today. “There is a hope that does not disappoint.” His name is Jesus!
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