Reflections, April 12th, 2009 Resurrection Sunday

Reflections: Do Ye Yet Believe?

Sunday April 12^th, 2009

"Then answered the Jews and said unto him. What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them: and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had said."  John 2:18-22

What an extra special pleasure it is to be writing this week's Reflection, as it is Resurrection Sunday, the reason and purpose behind Reflections. Without the Resurrection, Reflections would not be, and neither would we. I sincerely pray that this week's Reflection will bring encouragement, hope, and strength. As well as, relationship and joy in our heavenly Father.

Happy Resurrection Sunday! What a glorious day to celebrate. Because Christ is risen, we have been given access to the Kingdom of God. That, we have obtained the opportunity of salvation and gain eternal life, and reign with the Lord. We have been adopted into the family of God, and now are seated in Heavenly places! Does that not make you want to shout: "Hallelujah!" ? Yet I am not naïve to know that there are many who do not believe. There are many who have also stopped believing.

We live in a world today that is besieged with negativity. It surrounds us like an ugly mote that we dare not cross, because of the giant crocodiles chomping at the bit to attack the first person that attempts to cross that mote. However, there is good news! There is a bridge that goes over that mote. A bridge that allows us to go to a place of peace and rest and assurance. And his name is Jesus.

Jesus became our bridge. He is our bridge over trouble waters. He is the bridge to a life of righteousness and joy. Even though sorrows and heartaches will come (we live in a world that is govern by wicked forces), as children of the King, we have protection. And that is the blood of Jesus that covers us, and the blessed assurance he afforded us when he rose that third day.

Yes, life can be painful and it can throw us for loops at a time. Shaking our faith to its core; having us question if God is really there. Make no mistake; Jehovah-Shammah (The Lord is there), is always in our midst. Never leaving us, nor forsaking us. Yet many still find it difficult to believe; difficult to believe that Jesus, in deed, rose from the grave. That He is alive and can live right within our hearts. Covering us, like a shield, our hearts from the evil that prevails, and tries to steal our life and faith. Yet we must first believe.

John 20:6-16

6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Can you picture the faces of the disciples? Can you imagine what thoughts must have gone through their and Mary's mind when coming upon that empty tomb? What would you have thought if you came upon that tomb, and you did not see the closest person to your heart? The one you have fellowshipped with, ate with, walked with, ministered with for three years? Would you have clearly understood who you were amongst all that time?

A that moment, if I may use my sanctified imagination, I can see the disciples looking in wonder and awe. All the words of Jesus flooding through their minds. Hearing His voice in their ears, and their hearts pounding wildly. I could imagine their hearts filled with fear, and even doubt. Perhaps even wondering if this was all real? Once they go to their own homes, they ruminate over the past three years and all that Jesus had spoken to them; together and privately. "Is this true? Did He really rise? This is the Messiah, I know. But did he really rise? And if he did, where is he? What does this all mean? What do I do now?" 

We, too, have our questions, and perhaps some have doubts. And the only way to get those answers is to ask God for yourself. People have asked me, how do I know there is a God? How do I know that there was a Jesus that came, was crucified, and rose again? Some people want proof. They want to see something (just as the Pharisees and Sadducees) before believing. And even then, after seeing miracles, signs and wonders, many still will not believe.

My answer has always been the same; I cannot convince anyone of anything, only God can give you what you are looking for, if what you seek is truly the truth. Then it is up to that person to believe what is given. For me, I know that God is real, and that I serve a risen Savior, because of my heart, my life, and all that He has done for me. I know, because of the life I've lived, and all that I made it through. No one knows everyone story, unless they share it with you; and even then, you still don't know the whole. Christ came into my life at an early age, age of seven. I knew then that there was a God and that He loved me so. I believed before anyone ever told me I should.

As a child I looked up into the sky, fascinated by the moon and stars, and wondered why they twinkled as they were. I talked to them, and they talked back. Sure, some may say the over active imagination of a three year old. But in my heart, I just knew it was God. It gave me a comfort like you would never know. And it saved me for what I would soon endure. At Sunday school the teacher was explaining about what our hearts would look like without Christ in it. She pointed to my little black change purse, where I held my offering, and said our hearts would be black like that little purse. My eyes grew wide, and my heart ached. Because I didn't want my heart to be black like that. And I didn't want to be separated from the One that had spoke to me and comforted me since I could remember at the age of three. I wanted Jesus to live in my heart. Oh I believed. I didn't have to see. But in my heart I felt Him. And I knew God was real.

I know God is real, that Jesus rose on that third day, only because I tried Him for myself. God has a proven track record with me. I could share stories with you, real life, my life, about all that God has done for me, and yet I know that some still would not believe. But I am still charged with telling you about Jesus, and what He did for you and me. You see, I am not ashamed of my Father. I am not ashamed to say that I am saved, born again, whatever term you want to use. I am not ashamed to say I am a believer that believes in the Blood of Jesus. The resurrection of Christ. The Ascension of Christ. The power and baptism of the Holy Spirit. I am not ashamed to say that I believe in the gifts of the spirit, or that I speak in other tongues. I don't have to convince anyone of what I believe. I just have to live what I believe, stand on it, never shy away from it, be totally convicted of it, and allow God to have His way.

John 20:26-29

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Many are seeking signs. They want hardcore proof that Jesus is alive. That God exists before they would believe. There are also those who, no matter what they see or hear or experience, will never believe. God knows who we all are. The thing is, there are signs all around us, every day. The fact that you are alive and breathing today is a sign of God's mercy. The fact that are still here after so much tragedy in your life, is proof that He is real. The fact that you can even ask, if God is here, is a sign in itself.

Life is not fair, but God is just. Many things will happen in this world. Things that will and can shake us to our core. But never let, for a moment, the enemy deceive you that God isn't real, and that He does not love you. Because He already proved it by sending His Son to die for you. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but that through Him, the world might be saved (John3:17).

If you confess with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). When you believe in your heart, you gain righteousness, and when you confess with your mouth, you gain salvation (v.10).

No one can tell you what to believe. No one can make you believe. For it is all a personal choice. And no matter what way you choose, know this, that God will always love you. Why? How can He not love what He created; especially when He created you with a part of Him? The choice is yours. It's always been yours. And if you want to know the truth, then you seek the truth for yourself. People can only lead others; but we cannot make your choice for you. Your choice is your free gift from God.

May this week be filled with hope and blessings and miracles. I pray that the spirit of peace and prosperity rest in every area of your lives: spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, social, and financial. Be Blessed.

©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Prayer of Repentance

Father, I come before you today with a heart of repentance. I ask that you would forgive me of my sins. Father, I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. I believe and confess that He was raised from the dead. I ask that you would come into my heart. Fill me with your love and your spirit, and teach me your ways. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer of Rededication

Father, forgive me, for I have sinned against You, and You alone. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Father, I repent of my sins, and from turning away from You. I ask that You will reside once again, on the throne of my heart. I rededicate my life today, and ask that Your will be done, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.