I have a daily ritual of reading the Bible. Most days, I read with my Jim, but on Friday mornings, I read by myself. This is the day I write my weekly blog. Today I read several passages about the Hope I have in Christ and read one of  my favorite passages:

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am (John 14:1-3 NLT).

Reading that passage gave me comfort as I read, and brought me back to when I was with my mother the last time she was alive here on earth. She was in a group home with about eight other residents. I was sitting next to her along with the other residents, sitting in their recliners, watching TV.  “Let’s go into my room,” she said. So I helped her into her wheelchair and we moved into her room. So frail, my mother. Yet in the past such a capable, strong woman. She cooked and cleaned. An excellent seamstress. She gardened and canned produce. She studied her Bible and taught. She was an excellent teacher with adults and children. She was an artist. Everyone loved her. She had wisdom. But now, she depended on others to do for her. Today, it was me.

Our tradition had been I would visit and read her my stepson Greg’s sermon. He was a pastor and sent me his sermons each week. This week, his sermon was on the above passage.

I read the above passage and as I read, she would softly say, “Yes, that’s true.” I rarely talked to her about her dying. This time I asked her if she was looking forward to seeing her own mother, my dad, and other loved ones who’d put their trust in Jesus and were there in that “prepared place” Jesus talked about. She agreed it would be good.

As I read the sermon, I choked up with emotion a few times for I sensed this might be the last time I would be with her. I was right. Three days later, I received the call from her caregiver, “Your mom is not doing very well.” I asked some questions, and told him I’d be there soon. Twenty-five minutes later, I was there by her side. But she was gone. No longer here, but in the place that Jesus had prepared.

That Friday morning, she must have sensed she would not be here on earth for very long. She had some breakfast, but declined her medications that took so much time and energy to take. All dressed and in her chair, I am sure she was praying and reflecting on the many passages of scripture she knew by heart. Then, the angels surrounded her and might have said, “Come on Rose, it’s time.” And with that, she was gone. Gone to that prepared place with her Savior, Jesus.

I entered her room and there she was in her pink velvet chair. At peace. Eyes closed, head back. She exited that body so frail and was now in the arms of her Savior.

One day, because I’ve put my trust in Jesus, I’ll be with Jesus, too. I’ll get to see those people who’ve gone before me. And I’ll see my mama.

My ritual of reading and being encouraged by the Bible reminds me once again that He is preparing a place for us. We don’t have to be troubled. When everything is ready, he’ll come and get us so we can be with Him.

In the meantime, I suggest you establish a daily ritual of reading your Bible. Trust in Jesus. And, When everything is ready, I [Jesus]will come and get you. 

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Enjoy those verses in song.

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I was entranced by the massive beauty of the cathedral at Notre Dam.

We gazed at the stained glass windows.

We marveled as we toured The Louve. I was surprised at how small the Mona Lisa painting.

We visited the Louvre, October, 2015. Yes, that’s the Mona Lisa in the background.

We laughed at the Love Lock Bridge nearby, where lovers proclaimed their love by attaching a padlock to the rails of the bridge.

We strolled through the Monet gardens.

Claude Monet Gardens

What astounded me the most while touring parts of the country of France was driving to the village of Normandy. In our tour group, we faced the large statue, Spirit of American Youth Rising. While standing there, the tour guide gave us information about the statue, Spirit of American Youth Rising, and then asked to turn around, as taps were played.

Spirit of American Youth Rising, Normandy

And we saw this:

Normandy, France

There are really no words to describe this sacred ground. There were 2501 confirmed Americans killed on that one day, but many more Allied troops died during the siege that began on June 6, 1944.

“The eyes of the world are upon you … The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. Your task will not be an easy one … Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely … I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!” (General Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Freedom is hard fought. Two weeks ago, we celebrated Memorial Day, where we remembered and honored those who had died to protect our freedom. D-Day is only one of the places to remember and honor those who fought and died.

Today–and tomorrow, June 6, let’s remember.

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Enjoy the cadets of West Point Band and West Point Glee Club:

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It was my first climb up Mt. Hood. It was hard. More difficult than I ever imagined. We’d purchased the equipment we needed to make the climb. Walked through the aisles at Andy & Bax, purveyor of used outdoor equipment to save money. I resisted buying a new backpack and told my husband a borrowed pack would be fine. It was a canvas one–very unlike the multiple styles of backpacks now–with thin canvas straps. Inside the pack were all my snacks, extra gloves, all the many things a climber needs to summit the highest peak in Oregon. We began the climb around midnight and depended on the snowy slopes to give us light along with the full moon. We tramped up the mountain for hours. Daylight was coming that May morning and I was exhausted. Worse yet, that borrowed pack was giving me trouble. My shoulder muscles were stiff and screaming out to me in pain. It would have helped to have had a backpack with padded straps. I didn’t want to complain because the other climbers in the group seemed to be doing fine. Finally, I told my husband I didn’t think I could finish my shoulders hurt so bad. My husband lifted the pack off of me and dropped it on the side of the trail. “It’ll be here when we come back,” he said.

I felt like I could fly after taking off the pack and we resumed the climb. We were nearly to the top and I knew I would make it. And we did. What relief the removal of the burden off of my shoulders made to me!

“Congratulations!” our climb leader said. “You made it to the top. Turn around. We need to get down.” There was no view, for a storm was coming. It was cold and our vision was blurred with blowing snow. The climb up was done. Now all we had to do was descend. Also difficult and dangerous, but I was giddy with relief the climb up was completed.

Another ascent up Hood with a better pack

Sometimes, we are in a situation where we want to quit. We can’t see the summit of what we’re going through. We are hurting. Sometimes physically, like my shoulders that early morning so long ago.  Sometimes mentally. You’re concerned about a loved one who has lost their way. You are ill and don’t think you’ll get better. A loved one is ill and the doctor says there’s no hope. It could be you are out of money and the month isn’t over yet.  What do we do about it when we’re in one of those situations?

Today, I read numerous passages in the Bible–the Old Testament and the New. I was inspired by what God did for people long ago. Reading them reminded me of times when I was weary or scared about something or someone. They reminded me of how much God loves me and how powerful He is and how He delights in us! These words are meant for us too. King David wrote after he’d been in deep trouble,  he rescued me because he delights in me (2 Samuel 22: 20). Another passage told me who God is: He gives power to the weak…Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. ³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:27-31). In the New Testament, I was reminded, ⁸He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ⁹ God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (I Corinthians 1:8-9). And finally, one of my favorite passages, And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3: 17-18). 

There were many more passages I could quote, but these are the ones that encouraged me and I hope you as well. Read them over again. Copy them down. Read them out loud. They will strengthen you just as removing the poorly made backpack I wore on that mountain climb gave me new energy.

I finished my reading with this passage:  God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. ²⁵ He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25).

I pray these passages I’ve quoted will give you energy, courage, and strength as you face this day, just as they did me.

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When I was a music teacher with elementary students, they loved singing with motions. I’m including one I think my students would have loved. I hope you do, too!

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And then, out of the blue, I prayed out loud, “If this marriage is out of your will, you will have to end it, because I cannot.” Within me, the Holy Spirit guided those words. I didn’t think any more about them and went about my day.

That evening, on the phone I heard a voice sounding cold, saying he didn’t want to get married. I was shocked. I didn’t understand. And then, I remembered my prayer earlier that day. God had answered that prayer.

Sometimes prayers are answered differently than we expect.

In the disappointment of the breakup, I realizedI had moved too quickly. I wanted companionship and rushed into a relationship that wasn’t right. I learned to trust God more completely and allow Him to be the companion I so desired. In those days I spent alone, I began to know God better. I begged God to help me move forward, away from the planned marriage, toward peace and to learn His future for me. Perhaps I would never be married again. In any case, I needed to submit my will to God. After that prayer, I surrendered all my thoughts to God and began to feel peace. I was sad, yet realized I wasn’t alone. I began to learn more about God through Bible study and prayer. I began to be content in my circumstances of living alone.

I’ve been reading about prayer this week and learned how the Apostle Paul prayed for people in the  Colossian church.

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. ¹⁰ Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better (Colossians 1:9-10 NLT).

This prayer asks for 1. Complete knowledge of God’s will, 2. spiritual wisdom and understanding that will help us always honor and please the Lord. And 3. our lives produce every kind of good fruit, and 4. learn to know God better and better.

Sometimes we don’t know what to pray–for ourselves or others. We can be assured if we pray the above passage in Colossians we are praying in God’s will.

So you, dear readers, here is my prayer for you(insert your name or a loved one’s name in the blank): “I pray that ________, will gain complete knowledge of God’s will. ____will gain spiritual wisdom and understanding to help always honor and please the Lord. That ____ will produce every kind of good fruit and______ to know God better and better.”

I’ve had the pleasure of traveling this week and today, we have been watching our great grandson while his parents are at work. It has been pure joy! I pray that same prayer for him as well.

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Enjoy this song of prayer that is always perfect to pray. This young girl is now twenty-six, but age ten at this recording. Her voice is amazing!

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“You mean I can pray for a girl instead of a boy?” My six-year-old self asked my parents. It was the hour after dinner. The table was cleared, the dishes washed, dried, and put away. Before homework or TV, we sat in the living room as a family and read the Bible and each of us prayed. Quite honestly, sometimes I just wanted to go out and play if it was summertime, or watch my favorite TV program in winter. Yet the few minutes each evening are wonderful memories now. We each read out of the Bible and we’d talk about it briefly, kneel in front of our chair and pray out loud. For the past several months we knew a new baby brother or sister would be coming into our family and since there were already three girls and only one boy, we’d been praying for a boy. Something must have been said, for in that conversation somehow, I realized I could pray for a baby sister–which is what I really wanted.

That was the beginning of my learning how to pray, and has been the pattern of my life. Of course my prayers aren’t always answered in the way I want them answered, but because I have been in communication with God for so many years, now, I know my prayers are heard and are being answered in the best way.

I’ve learned that the optimum way to begin prayer is by praising God. Even during a difficult time when I begin my prayer with praising God and thanking him, something changes in me. My requests  don’t seem as urgent. I have peace. When there’s a crisis in my life, I go directly to that request. But even in the request, I’ve learned to thank God for his answer. He knows best.

Today I read that it is important to give thanks for my Christian friends who are sharing their faith with others. ² We give thanks to God always for you all, mentioning you in our prayers, ³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father (I Thessalonians 1:2-4 MEV). I learned in the book of 2 John, verse 4:  I can’t tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father.

As I was thinking about the prayers in the passages above, I realized I should pray for those who read my blog each week and give thanks for them–you! So here goes:

“Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for those who read my blog and believe in Your truth. I thank You, for their love that brings joy and encouragement to those they know. For their faith that grows, in spite of the problems of this life. I pray for those who don’t yet know You, but read my words. That they will believe in You today so they can know how much You love them. May each one who reads my words be encouraged by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Thanks for joining me on this beautiful May morning! I am very grateful for each of you!

By the way, those six-year-old prayers were answered. That baby was a girl. We call her Betsy!

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I thought it appropriate to share the song with two sisters. Enjoy!

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“Count not the candles…see the lights they give. Count not the years, but the life you live.”

I had a birthday this week.

Birthdays are a two edged sword. On one side, they are wonderful because the attention they give us. There might be presents, birthday cards, and a special meal with a favorite dessert. The other side a reminder that we are getting older and we only have a certain amount of time to live.

When you are young, you can’t wait to get older. When you are older, you realize you aren’t getting any younger.

Alice Fryling, author of Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older said, “Whatever our decade of life, we are never not aging.”

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12 NIV).

So with my remaining days, I hope I can focus more on how I live today, rather than the years I have on earth. I want to have a heart of wisdom. Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34).

What about you? Like me, do you sometimes fuss about new wrinkles or less mobility? You realize some things just won’t get done with the years remaining?

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me (Psalm 71:18 NLT).

So what will I proclaim to the next generation? That God is good. He loves me. That he wants a relationship with me. He wants me to accept his gift of salvation. That he is always with me–now and in the days to come.

For now, I will enjoy the light my birthday candles give me, and count not the years, but the life I live.

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Many things in life come with pain. Fighting a disease can be painful. Watching a loved one fighting a disease is painful. Keeping in good physical shape can be painful. A sleepless night is painful. Even  the seed struggles when pushing up through the earth to become a plant bearing fruit, vegetable, or flower.

Today I read what God promises us in pain:

I will never leave you or forsake you,  (Hebrews 13:6) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8: 35, 37-38). And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Pain doesn’t last forever. Joy will follow. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5).

I’m not sure where you are today. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Enduring the pain of disease. Disappointment in someone you love. Even the pain of lost sleep. Joy does come. Sometimes it is when the disease is cured. The baby is born. Relationship  restored. Or when morning finally comes.

And sometimes it is death. But when we put our trust in Christ, and believe in him, he is with us here on earth or we are in his presence in heaven. That’s a promise.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Happy birthday, dear Annabel!

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Sunday came and most of the family came to church with me. I was surrounded by people who cared and mourned with me. A warm cocoon of love. After church, there was a meal provided at my home. It happened to be Super Bowl Sunday.  The Graybill family were football fans and many were glued to the television, rooting for their team. Others were at the dining table, looking a photos from the many photo albums we’d been using for display at his service.

While surrounded by so many, I had the brilliant idea that I’d like to watch the video of our wedding that had taken place only seventeen months earlier. I thought I would be comforted by seeing the very alive Blair. Several women–my sister, my daughter, daughter-in-law, my best friend, came upstairs with me to watch the wedding video in my bedroom. There we sat, waiting to watch that happy day on the screen.  As the scene unfolded, I saw my Blair, so handsome in his tuxedo, striding through the hallway, waiting to meet me, his bride. He was smiling and so alive!

And when I saw him, I crumbled onto the bed, in tears. I realized he was gone! That I’d never see him again in this life. In heaven, of course I knew I’d see him. But here, in this life, I would not. The shock of his sudden death was wearing off. I no longer felt peace and calmness. I felt devastation. My dream life as I had been living, was over. I collapsed in grief and wept like never before. I’d just awakened from the shock of his very sudden death.

Quickly, my friends surrounded me, wrapping their arms around me. Holding me in my pain. One by one, they began to pray. They asked God to give me peace and comfort, to help me in my distress. In their tears, they begged the Holy Spirit–who is the comforter–to surround me with his peace. And you know what? He heard their prayers and he did just that. He gave me peace that is unexplainable, like the peace after a storm. The quiet after the noise of the storm of loss.

I believe that unforgettable time of grief was a holy moment in my life. One of the rare times in my life where I experienced perfect peace. Although I am not now in that terrible pain of loss, I won’t forget that time when perfect peace surrounded me.

…in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV). ³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.(2 Corinthians 1: 3 NLT). The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18 NLT).

Beneath the surface is perfect peace.

I don’t know where you are today. Are you experiencing grief?  Is your spirit crushed, your heart broken? It isn’t always the death of a loved one you may be grieving.  It could be distress over a wayward child.  A loss of friendship. You are experiencing physical pain. Perhaps you’ve received a scary diagnosis from your doctor. You’ve just been told you’re fired. A spouse has told you they don’t love you any longer and want a divorce. Or, as in my experience, the death of a loved one. I encourage you to go to the One who can give you peace and comfort in your time of need.

“Lord, I don’t know who is reading this today, but I ask You to give them the peace You gave to me that Sunday afternoon so long ago. Let that person experience You as they never have before. I thank You that You are only a whisper away from us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Enjoy the song below.

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A long time ago, I would do a lot of hiking and mountain climbing with my late husband Bill. We also would climb rocks–big ones–for “fun.” He enjoyed that much more than I did but one climb I’ll never forget was one clear, spring day more than twenty years ago now.

The weather was perfect and the Columbia Gorge winds were calm. Bill and I sat on top of the 325-foot monolith, enjoying the view from our perch. The bright blue sky contrasted with the newly sprouted lime-green colored leaves and dark green fi rs. A soft breeze, smelling of honey from the blossoming fruit trees below, ruffl ed my hair. All too soon it was time to go back down. I looked nervously at Bill. Going down meant rappelling off the rock. I dreaded rappelling, though I had forced myself to do it numerous times. If there was a way to walk down off a climb, I would. But it was extremely dangerous to climb down from Rooster Rock, a double-roped cliff, my longest rappel yet. Bill set up the rope for the rappel down, hooking it carefully into my harness until I was ready to go. “Just lean back, sweetheart. You’ll be OK. Trust me. Trust the rope and protection.”

“I can’t do this! I’m too scared!” I choked, trying not to cry.

“You can do it; I know you can. Put your right hand behind your back and keep the brake on.” I knew Bill’s advice was sound. He was fastidiously careful in everything he did. I wanted Bill to be proud of me and knew I had to do it, had to lean back. I had to trust him. I held my breath and tilted backward. Clunk! The sound of the chain adjusting itself to the rappel rope gave a jolt. My heart jumped and then I began to ease myself down, talking out loud the whole time. “Okay, okay, honey. I’m doing it. Here I go.” Brake hand back, I reminded myself. Legs straight to the wall. I moved one foot down, then the other and eased the rope through the figure eight apparatus. While most climbers will relax and go down quickly, mine was a slow descent. I wanted to get there safely and didn’t care how long it took. A few moments later I was at the foot of the rock. I called up to Bill at the top. “Off rope!” I took the rope out of my harness, waiting for his descent in his black climbing shorts and much-used fuchsia-colored rock shoes. The well-defined muscles of his legs moved with confidence as he rappelled down. He took off his leather gloves and with his large right hand, gave me a high five. “Good job, Shirley! I’m proud of you!” In a playful growl, he added, “You mountain woman, you!” It was his term of endearment, filling me with me a warm glow.

When I reached the ground, I was relieved but also filled with peace. I’d reached my goal. I didn’t wimp out, and I knew my husband was proud of me…

Rooster Rock

When the disciples were hiding in a locked room on the day after the Jewish Sabbath, all of a sudden, Jesus appeared to them.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

They were overjoyed. And they were changed when Jesus appeared to them. Can you imagine their emotions when that happened? And the peace they experienced when they realized he was no longer dead, but alive! Jesus said “peace” twice to them. And I’ll bet they were at peace.

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all (2 Thessalonians 3:16).⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

I could include many more places where God promises peace. And not the kind of peace we are promised in our world where there is conflict in so many places, but his peace–that “exceeds anything we can understand.”

On that Spring day so long ago, I experienced peace after the “trauma” of rapelling down from a high place, but we are promised perfect peace from Jesus Christ.

I love the song “Be Still My Soul” put to the music from Finlandia by Siblelius.

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

3. Be still, my soul! when dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shall you better know his love, his heart,
Who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.
Be still, my soul! your Jesus can repay
From his own fullness all he takes away.

4. Be still, my soul! the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still my soul! when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. (Kathrina von Schlegel).

Enjoy the beautiful instrumentation of the song below:

I’d love to hear your story when you’ve experienced God’s perfect peace. Message me!

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I wonder what the disciples thought as they hid in a room, fearing they’d be arrested just like Jesus had been arrested. They might even die, as he did. They just wanted their leader and messiah back. But then something happened.

Early that Sunday morning Mary Magdalene and the other Mary walked to the tomb. Perhaps they just wanted to be near where their Messiah had been laid, just as some people find comfort in visiting their loved one’s grave site. In this case, the following happened:

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. ³ His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. ⁴ The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint (Matthew 28: 2-4 NLT).

Whenever we enter a Christian church, most likely you will see a cross. In some, you will see a cross with Jesus on it, in agony. I appreciate the reminder of what Jesus did for us, by dying on the cross, but he did not stay there. He was placed in a tomb, dead. And as he promised, on the third day, he rose from the dead.

I’ve been a Christian since I was a very young girl and have heard what the gospels–Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John say about Jesus’ death and resurrection, but it was only this year, that I realized something I hadn’t thought through. Jesus didn’t roll the stone to get out of the tomb–the angel rolled the stone away. The guards–who we could most likely compare to our elite forces–“shook with fear.” They had faced death most likely many times, but in this incident: they fell into a dead faint.

The story continues,

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me” (Matthew 28:8-10).

Jesus had a new body when he rose from the dead. He no longer required the stone to be rolled away for him to come out of the tomb. The stone was rolled to show the tomb was empty! My son wrote this statement about the resurrection: Jesus didn’t slowly roll out of bed that day. His spirit returned in a flash of energy so spectacular that it left an image in his burial linen. 

So what does that mean to us? He’s no longer on the cross. It is empty and most importantly, so is his grave!

This week, I’ve been reading about what the Resurrection means to us individually. The first is presence. Jesus was God, yet he was on this earth in a human form. That meant he could only be in one place at a time. Many times, people looked for him and couldn’t find him. He was off by himself praying or with other people. He could only be in one place at a time. But now, he is present all of the time. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:5b NIV). What an assurance we’ve been given. Jesus is always present with us through the Holy Spirit.

I’m once again in awe of what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means to me. He is always present with us! Ponder that this week.

Next week I’ll write about another aspect of the Resurrection, peace. But for now, let’s focus on the presence of God. When we place our faith and trust in Jesus, he is always present.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for dying in my place. For taking the wrath that was meant for us on that cross. And then you rose from the dead. The tomb is empty! Remind me once again, that you are with us always–“to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

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Enjoy the song below. Stay with it til the end.

The post The Resurrection of Jesus means Presence appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.