Thurs 9th April: 17. Thankful at Easter
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.” 1 Corinthians 15 v3-5
At Easter time we remember these things of first importance. They tower above every other important thing in our life: Christ died; Christ was buried; Christ rose again! Three facts from history that have changed our lives forever.
There’s lots to be thankful for at Easter time. Here are ten things taken from ten different songs/hymns we sing at Easter. See if you can guess the songs/hymns. There’s a prize for the first one who gets them all.
1. I am thankful for the “Deep wounds of love cry out, ‘Father forgive!’”
2. I am thankful for the “wonder of all wonders, that, through your death for me, my open sins, my secret sins, can all forgiven be!”
3. I am thankful that “Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above, and heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a guilty world in love.”
4. I am thankful that “God’s own Son should come from heaven and die to save a child like me. “
5. I am thankful for “the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!”
6. I am thankful that “Vain the stone, the watch, the seal: Christ has burst the gates of hell; death in vain forbids him rise—Christ has opened paradise.”
7. I am thankful that “He lives and grants me daily breath; he lives and I shall conquer death: he lives my dwelling to prepare; he lives to bring me safely there.”
8. I am thankful that “he arose in triumph from the dark domain, and he lives for ever with his saints to reign:”
9. I am thankful that “I believe in the resurrection, that we will rise again.”
10. I am thankful that “we are raised with Him, Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
11. I am thankful that I can “shout it out that Jesus is alive.”
Sorry, couldn’t stick to ten!
I hope these songs (once you have guessed them) run through the playlist of your mind over Easter.
Remember the things of first importance: Christ died; Christ was buried; Christ rose again!
Love from Paul
Cephas = the apostle Simon-Peter.
Wed 8th April: 16. Six words that changed a man’s life!
[21] They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. [22] The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. [23] Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, [24] “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are---the Holy One of God!” [25] “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” [26] The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. [27] The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching---and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” [28] News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. …
Mark 1:21-28 NIV
How much authority do you have? We all have some authority, whether it be with our dog/cat or for some people, in business. A big part of Mark’s gospel shows the authority that Jesus has. In today’s reading we are told of Jesus’ authority in His teaching and also over evil spirits.
When Jesus spoke, people listened. Jesus was a teacher like no other. We will see in future devotions how Jesus used parables to show what ‘the Kingdom of God’ was like. However, here we see Jesus having authority unlike anyone else even those who appeared or were expected to have authority in their teaching (the teachers of the law). Jesus was after all ‘the Word made flesh’ (John 1:14) and so He didn’t speak of the One who was the Word: He was the Word. Jesus spoke from a unique vantage point. He was the source of the teaching and therefore no one could compare with Him as He taught the people.
Likewise, Mark shows how Jesus has authority over evil spirits. Jesus doesn’t have to touch the possessed man or send him to counselling. Jesus, we are told, just said six words “Be quiet, come out of him!” Jesus is more powerful than all evil and here He demonstrates His authority over the evil that had consumed this poor man.
No wonder news spread about Him quickly over the whole of the region.
This morning, listen to the One who has all authority in His teaching and be comforted that He has all authority over evil.
Here’s a prayer -
Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to be our teacher and for showing us how Jesus has the power and authority over the evil that grips this world. May I listen to Jesus more than anyone else and know that Jesus is in control at this time. Help me to trust Him today. Amen
Much love
Tim
Tues 7th April: 15. Because He lives
It’s Easter week and our minds are already turning to the things of first importance that we will remember and celebrate this coming weekend: the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The newspaper I worked for always had some columns near the back where people could announce births, engagements, weddings, deaths, or give remembrances of loved ones who had died. One year my Nana asked me to put in a remembrance announcement for her husband Robert. Robert was my Grancha, and though he died when I was very young, yet I remember him as one of the nicest, funniest men I have ever known. He used to play tricks on me, tell me very funny stories, and slightly-naughty jokes. I still retell some of his jokes now!
Above all Robert loved the Lord Jesus. On one occasion when he was driving us through the New Forest I remember him bursting into song in the car and singing “How Great Thou Art” at the top of his voice! Anyway, the remembrance my Nana asked me to put in the paper read something like this. “My Beloved Robert; gone but never forgotten. ‘Because I live, you also will live ’ (John 14v19)”. I hadn’t been a disciple of Jesus for very long and I had never read these words of Jesus before. But from that day on they have stuck with me like no other Bible verse has.
What a hope we Believers have! Jesus lives! He died and was buried, but three days later “Up from the grave he arose!” “He lives, He lives, salvation to impart.” He has conquered death and he has gone back to heaven and one day He will come back for His loved ones. Glorious Day!
And because He lives, then I will live also! His resurrection means my resurrection. His life beyond the grave means my life beyond the grave. I am joined to Him, in union with Him and what happened to Him will happen to me. And to you too if you believe in Him.
Hallelujah, “Because I live, you also will live” said, and promised, our Saviour.
Rejoice!
Love from Paul
Mon 6th April: 14. Follow me
MARK 1:
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Having a family business that moves from one generation to the next is quite rare these days. I once met a business man who was the fifth generation of bakers. The man was proud of all that had been achieved since the opening of the first bakery in 1920. Since the first bakery the business* has grown to 5 shops, a massive online presence and bakery course for the general public.
When I chatted to this man his whole identity was wrapped up in the bakery and the rich heritage it had enjoyed. He could just as well have been called Tom Baker but he wasn’t!
In our Bible reading this morning we have various men who it appears were settled in their family businesses. For these men their whole identity was wrapped up in the fishing business. Morning, noon and night would be all about getting the catch in order to make money and provide for their families. Each day would look very similar with its routines and rhythms of the day. Yet, there was one day that was very different, this was the day that a man shouted over to them beside the Sea of Galilee to leave their business and be a part of something that was unknown. All the men knew was they would be moving from the fishing business to the people business and catching people not fish!
This is a remarkable story in which four men all respond to Jesus’ call immediately.
Consider this -
* There was no going away to chat to others about the call,
* There was no delay in saying “I will go away and pray about it!”
* There was no Alpha course to consider who Jesus was or
* Time to do their sums to see if their books would balance.
You see, When Jesus calls you, you have to follow.
Much love
Tim
*https://www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk