Jesus’s resurrection proves His divinity, confirms the victory over death, and offers hope for new life, both in this world and the next.
Jesus’s resurrection highlights the transformative power if this event, impacting believers understanding of forgiveness, salvation, and their relationship with God.
Jesus’s resurrection validates Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the one who paid the price for humanity’s sins.
Jesus’s resurrection demonstrates that death is no longer a finality, and He has conquered the grave, offering hope for eternal life.
Jesus’s resurrection provides a new beginning, a renewed relationship with God, and a guarantee of our resurrection after physical death.
The power of the resurrection enables us to overcome sin and live according to God’s will.
It leads to a growth in holiness, both in character and in the flesh, reflecting God’s image.
Jesus’s resurrection assures that God will judge fairly and that believers serve the living Savior who intercedes for them.
We have a hope for the future: the guarantee that God can raise the dead to eternal life, providing hope for the rapture and the return of Jesus.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s shofar. The dead in Messiah will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever” -1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“We live in a fallen world that often falls on us.”
Would you agree that everyone has troubles and there are seasons of suffering? The thing is that some people do not want to accept that.
In our current, “feel good” culture it is common to encounter people who are disenchanted with the truth of scripture, which inform us that suffering is a part of life here on earth. The Bible tells us the truth even when it is unpopular.
Most people are tired of having bad things happen. And don’t understand why God allows it, or what to do about it. If we can transfer the truths of the Bible into action steps. Learning how to have a biblical view of what i thought was unjust treatment has changed my life completely.
If we look at the Jesus and even the Apostle Paul for example, they both were persecuted and suffered rejection, harsh treatment, slander, and other injustices. They were killed despite being kind, loving, and self sacrificing. Jesus warned us in John 15:18-21 it would be so if we made it our goal to live to please Him. The suffering we endure is not unique to any of us, it’s like one voice in the symphony of creation. The entire world groans under the curse of Adam and Eve for their choices, and all creation is being subjected to the sufferings of this present time (John 15:18) and is suffering anxiousness as we await being set free from slavery from the corruption of this world.
Our trials and sufferings produce something positive in our lives. God said we will have trials and tribulations but He has overcome the world. And we have a future and a hope in knowing this (Romans 8:28-29).
The “River of Life” is a vivid image found in the Bible, symbolizing God’s presence, provision, and the eternal life He offers in which God’s life-giving presence and eternal life, drawing parallels to our physical need for water and spiritual need for God’s grace and sustenance.
The “River of Life” is depicted in both Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Revelation 22:1-2.
In Ezekiel 47:1-12 Ezekiel describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple in Jerusalem. This river grows deeper as it flows, bringing life wherever it goes. It heals the land, makes the Dead Sea fresh, and causes trees to bear fruit continuously. This imagery points to God’s power to restore and sustain His creation and is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of spiritual renewal.
In Revelation 22:1-2 the “River of Life” is depicted in the New Jerusalem, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb -Jesus. It is described as “clear as crystal,” with the Tree of Life growing on its banks, producing fruit each month and leaves for the healing of the nations. This scene represents the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan of eternal life, peace, and restoration in His presence.
The “River of Life” is generally understood as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, God’s grace, or the life-giving nature of Jesus. Jesus Himself speaks of offering “living water” in John 4:10-14 and John 7:38 connecting the concept to faith in Him.
I believe the River of Life can represent the transformative power of God’s grace, which leads to a life filled with abundance and purpose.
Was there any significance to why Jesus’s face covering was folded in the tomb?
John 20:7 tells us,
“And the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrapping but rolled up in a place by itself.”
The cloth was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that head cloth was neatly folded, and was neatly rolled at the head of that stony coffin.
In order to understand the folded cloth, we need to understand a little bit about the Hebrew tradition of that day.
A folded cloth napkin had to do with the master and the servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. If the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, and his mouth, clean his beard, and would wad up the cloth and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. In those days, the wadded-up napkin meant, “I’m done.”
But if the master got up from the table, folded the cloth napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table because the servant knew the folded napkin meant, “I’m not finished yet.” Tjr folded cloth napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”
He (the master, Jesus) is coming back. Hallelujah!
In Ephesians 6:10-18 the Apostle Paul lays out a vivid metaphor for standing firm against evil in a fallen world. The Armor of God is not about any physical gear but spiritual readiness with tools to face Satan’s schemes and sins pull on us. Each piece of gear ties into Jesus’s victory over sin, and can equip us to live among the thick of life battles.
I have laid out each piece of armor and what it is for in a tangible way to understand.
The Belt of Truth:
It is about anchoring yourself in what is real -Jesus as the way and the truth so deception doesn’t trip you up.
The Breastplate of Righteousness:
This guards your core, reflecting the righteousness. Jesus won, it’s not about shaky things of our environments or the company we keep. Focusing on our righteousness we have through God can get us through.
Feet Fitted With the Gospel of Peace:
This keeps us steady, sharing the foundation of the good news of Jesus instead of reconciling with the chaos in the world.
The Shield of Faith:
This blocks those flaming arrows of doubt, fear, and temptation, because trusting in Jesus’s win holds a the line.
The Helmet of Salvation:
This protects our mind, locking in the assurance that sin and death don’t get the last word. Jesus does.
The Sword of the Spirit:
The Word of God is our offense. Scripture slices through the lies of this world just as it did for Jesus in the wilderness in Luke.
Ephesians 6 tells us to stand repeatedly and hold our ground, to not charge ahead recklessly, because the victory is already God’s, not ours to win. Satan is still prowling around like a lion but the armor’s about resilience, not invincibility. It’s a mindset to wake up to, to put on through prayer and focus, and to face the mess of the world knowing that God has everything covered. He’s Got our back!
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
Positive encounters with strangers can reinforce faith and hope, especially when we are obedient to God.
When we have faith and hope for miracles they can orchestrate moments where the universe aligns to remind us of something greater than ourselves. These encounters can reflect God’s presence and renew trust in His plan.
A stranger’s kindness can reward quiet obedience to a nudge of faith.
A simple pay it forward for someone’s cup of coffee can give someone a positive outlook on their day. Obeying a gut feeling can feel like God is working through you to affirm His guidance.
Encounters that seem too perfect for chance can bolster our faith whether it’s meeting a stranger that shares a story of overcoming similar pain.
Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels.”
We might encounter something that restores hope by showing God’s hand in human kindness when we least expect it. Whether faith or obedience it can unlock miracles or become testaments to the goodness of God.
Dying Easter eggs is an example of us when we are baptized.
The egg represents new life and resurrection as baptism signifies spiritual renewal and cleansing. The act of dying eggs can reflect transformation Mary, how baptism marks a chain in one spiritual identity.
Historically, eggs were often died red in some cultures to symbolize Jesus’s blood and sacrifice, tying to the themes of death and rebirth which are central to both Easter and baptism.
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
We learn and grow all through our lives. The trials and tribulations are supposed to help us learn and grow.
Every decision we make can play a crucial role in learning and growing. It is like everything else with have a choice on what we do with the information we have learned.
Sometime we have to repeat the same situations because lessons and we are stuck in the same cycle.
Whether it’s lack of self awareness, unresolved emotions or a need to explore different perspectives of the same situation.
Our minds may be unconsciously seek to learn a particular lesson or resolve a specific issue. Which leads to the repetition of similar situations until the lesson is grasped and the issue addressed.
In every circumstance we should be asking God to show us what we are supposed to learn from the challenges we face in life.
Have you ever been to a church where they sugarcoat the teaching in the Bible?
Sugar-coated sermons are watered-down or simplified versions of the Bible that avoid challenging truths or difficult concepts to make them more palatable to avoid offense or discomfort. They ignore uncomfortable aspects of the Bibkr such as difficult doctrines or moral requirements.
Sugar coasting the severity of sin, instead of emphasizing the consequences of sin, may focus on forgiveness and grace without acknowledging the need for repentance or change. Emphasizing positive aspects while minimizing negative ones, focus on the promises of salvation while downplaying the need for obedience or the consequences.
So-called “feel-good” churches are not the place to be. Most feel-good churches have parking lots that are full. I think because the teacher loves the financial benefits more than he loves the people going there.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns us
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around then a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. And they will turn away from listening to the truth and will wander off to fables.”
Sugar coating can be called a form of deception because it hides the truth or presents a distorted view of reality.
God’s Word is not sugar-coated. The Bible is presented as a powerful and uncompromising source of truth, not a gentle or easily digestible message.
The Bible encourages honesty and directness. Speaking the truth, even when it’s difficult, is a sign of love and concern for others.
Sugar-coating preaching is dangerous to your soul.
When we look at the life of Jesus we may think He was a pacifist. But we don’t understand war, the enemy or how to fight to make a difference.
We warn our children about strangers and teach them hoe to stay out of trouble, but the sad truth is, we don’t teach them how to fight the most important battles against the fiercest of enemies. Growing up I was taught to “turn the other cheek,” to avoid conflict at all costs because that was what a mature child would do. This worldly philosophy laid the groundwork for me being beaten and bullied by people who had no interest in a peaceful solution.
While Jesus never fought in the ways that most people think. He did engage in true warfare, an obedient soldier to the end, with victory being won on the cross.
There are conventional ways for fighting that we are all familiar with. We fight using our hands, our words, our finances, and sometimes with weapons. But these are earthly tactics that have no bearing on the real world of the Spirit. The Spiritual world is the real arena, with the physical being in poor reflection that we look into a darkened mirror, that doesn’t show the true reflection of reality for which we walk, but ghosts and shadows of limited existence. Earth is not where our true enemy is. The fight is in the Spiritual realm.
Every one of us had been trained, to a degree, to fight in the physical realm, but few understood how to put on the true armor and wield a sword. Maybe you are still groping in the dark and haven’t found the light, but if you’ve found Jesus, you can learn a battle plan, defense tactics, and weaponry that can defeat the real enemy.
Jesus didn’t use physical weapons, but He did use a pretty big sword, you tear down strongholds and cast aside arguments with anyone who would challenge Him. Jesus never backed down from a fight, but He didn’t engage in carnal battles but used warfare of a spiritual nature, which is the real arena. Jesus knew the enemy’s tactics and went directly at them with the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. He understood that Satan, nor His minions can’t openly defy God because they are subject to His Laws and commands. They can corrupt, but they must be given permission. No demon, not even Satan, could go directly against God’s Will if they had not been given permission to do so first by God Himself.
Why does Satan/demons go after humanity?
There are multiple reasons and many books that go into those theories, but in my opinion I think, Satan and His minions (demons) cannot directly defy God, but they can indirectly defy Him by using humans as proxies. Humans can say no to God’s laws and commands, even if God were to allow bad things to happen to us. We have been given free will and nothing can take that away or make us change our hearts and minds if we choose a path to walk on, even if our decisions were to lead to destruction. Satan or his minions cannot directly defy whisper enticements and work our flesh so that we can defy God for them to the detriment of our souls.
This battleground is our fight, and it’s a fight we can lose by listening to Satan or his minions that doesn’t want us to read and learn the Bible or put on our armor.
Too often we are taught to ask God for help in every battle that comes our way. We run to the Father every time they playground bully hits us in the nose with tears wonderful “Why did he do that?” streaming down our faces. We allow satan or his minions to take the things God has given us, like our health, our relationships, and other assets God had entrusted to us to manage and care for. We wonder why bad things happen to us and never take into consideration that we allow satan and his minions to take over. He is going to keep kicking us while we’re down.
God has given us the tools and authority not only to fight but to win and take back everything the enemy has taken from us.
Jesus never collaborated with satan or the same peaceful co-existence. He fought until His dying breath on the cross. And God gave Him authority over heaven and earth, giving us authority to tramper satan and his minions every time they poke their heads into our lives. So, never surrender. Never be okay with letting satan or his minions take what is rightfully yours.
“When you lay down your weapon and have removed your armor, you have surrendered to the enemy, and they take no prisoners” – Robert Wimer
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” -Ephesians 6:12
True strength comes from seeking God’s guidance and power rather than relying on our own abilities.
From Pity to Praise 