EASTER MORN

Did you hear Jesus?
Was it only the wind?
Did you hear knocking?
Did you let Him in?

Did you see Jesus?
Is that just the sun?
Did you feel Him touch you?
Is the long night done?

Do you hear singing?
Is it only a bird?
Is that quiet whispers
my heart has heard?

Yes! I hear Jesus!
His sweet Presence is near.
And the sound of angels
falls upon my ear.

His love is so tender.
His face is so bright.
His sweet golden whispers
vanquish the night.

My heart rejoices
on this Easter morn,
for our Lord is risen!
And I am reborn!

            Evelyn B. Ryan

GO BEYOND

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

 

Writing is a pleasure for me. Today while praying, asking God for inspiration and guidance to refine the outline of a book, I heard in my spirit, “Go beyond.”

Go beyond what? Go beyond my initial meeting with Jesus. When I recognized who Jesus is and made Him my Lord, I didn’t immediately die and go to heaven as promised. Jesus has things for me to be and do before then—to become His disciple in this world. In Jesus’ days on earth, the custom was for a young man who would be a disciple, talmid, of a Rabbi to literally follow him everywhere he went, observing him and seeking to become like him.

While it is certainly true that God in Christ called each of us to repent and come to Him for forgiveness of our sins, He also invites us to follow Him on into life. We are invited to not only go to meet Him, but continue beyond with Him. It is there that Jesus blesses us to be a blessing to others. And we bless them by many means, including passing on that divine invitation.

Oh yes, there is a cross involved. But going beyond my meeting with Jesus with my hand in His—that only adds to the excitement of life. Jesus’ cross served Him well in pleasing his Father, so I can be confident my cross will have the same result.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, by Your grace I will follow You faithfully.

© 2018 Parker Wayland

THE CROSS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

Prepare the highway for my people to return, smooth out the road, and raise a flag for all the nations to see. Isaiah 62:10 (NLT)
We have all seen the crosses on the side of the road for those who have lost their lives in a traffic accident.

We do not know the beliefs of the roadside deceased, but their family or friends chose the Christian cross of Jesus to mark the end of their earthly existence.

We are not here to judge those travelers who died so suddenly as the causes could have been many: speed, substance abuse, texting, weather, road conditions, sleep deprivation or mechanical failure. For now they are in the hands of our Creator, and hopefully on a bright shining highway to a suite in His heavenly mansion, and not on a lonely, dark road detour to a rundown motel room.

Let these roadside crosses give us pause to contemplate our own fate and how quickly our lives can be lost in an instant. So slow down and say a little prayer for those roadside cross bearers as you pass by, and pray that we stay on the living Cross Road of Jesus, taking us into his kingdom.


Heavenly Father, watch over us on the highways and byways of life, and enable us to hear Your voice over the clamor and confusion of our fast paced daily activities.

© 2018 David Le Kites

YOU'RE HIRED

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

The eighth grade graduation ceremony was held on a May morning in 1951. Afterward, I went home with certificate in hand. At lunch, my father smiled across the table. “Congratulations, son”, he said.  “Thanks, Dad.” Then the conversation continued:

“Did you ever think about going to work?”

“No, I hadn’t really thought about it.”

“I could use some help in the parts department.” [He was our local Ford dealer.]

“Well, I guess I could do that. When would I start?”

“How about this afternoon?”

Just that quickly, I was hired! I started that afternoon and worked there in my available time until college graduation. The job was interesting, taught me how to interact with people and allowed me to save for the future. Working for my father was a rewarding experience.

Working for our heavenly Father gives much greater rewarding experiences. We work not with parts of cars but with whole people, many of whom need serious repair by the Master Mechanic. Our job is rather like that of a clerk—to introduce people to the Master. We are not responsible to do the repairs, but simply to introduce. And we are not alone! The Spirit of Jesus is always right there to provide the words to say and whatever else is needed for a winsome witness.

Prayer: Lord, I receive and embrace the job you have prepared for me. Go with me in your peace and your power so my service will contribute to Your kingdom.

© 2018 Parker Wayland

BEATRICE AND THE LORD

                  

…Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mark 16:15  (NIV)

Early in my teaching career an experienced educator named Beatrice “took me under her wing.” She 

spent time helping me enter into a life of bringing learning to others. Beatrice also shared her deep 

belief in Jesus as her savior. When she invited my son and me to attend church with her one Sunday 

we gladly obliged.

I was intrigued with the sermon and my teenage son, Bruce, was excited about the youth group. From that day forward we regularly attended church. Beatrice was always available to instruct and encourage us as we soaked up the Son.

We became so hungry for more of Jesus that we went to church somewhere every week night as well 

as Sunday. We would pray, sing hymns and play a tambourine on the way. Beatrice was always available to teach, listen, share, and encourage us in our exciting adventures. I began to call her “My Spiritual Mother.”

One day years later, Beatrice’s daughter called and told us Beatrice had passed away.

Although we mourned the loss of her presence, we would always remember her as an important 

stepping stone in our spiritual growth.

 

Recently a young woman, with whom I had an opportunity to discuss our Lord, began calling me “Her Spiritual Mother.”

 

I thought to myself, “what an honor to say that to me!’ Then I remembered, sharing the message of salvation and living it is what every Christian is meant to do here on Earth.          

 

Prayer: Lord, help us to remember to take advantage of every opportunity to draw others to Jesus.  After all, that is our “assignment” on Earth.” Amen

© Christy Struben 2018