Thursday, April 5, 2012

Easter Means: LIFE


Easter Means: LIFE

As I reflect upon this special Holy week when we celebrate Christ’s sacrificial death and His victorious resurrection; one word comes to my mind – LIFE.

In the gospel of John 10:10 Jesus tells us exactly why He left the portals of heaven to live in human form, to die a cruel death on the cross of Calvary, and raise again victoriously so that we can all have life; not just any life, but abundant life!

Four things came to my mind when I think of the abundant life that Christ brought to us:
Love – God gave us the ultimate life giving example of true abundant love. He loves us so much, that He gave His only son Jesus Christ to die for our sins so we can have abundant life! When we accept Christ as our savior, His love is in us, and He can make our love grow so abundantly that it overflows to all those around us!

“This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:10


“But God showed his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8


“And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you. “ 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Intimacy – Our God desires an intimate relationship with us. We should desire to know Him more as well. Because God desires a relationship with His creation, He has provided a way for us to know Him intimately – through His son, Jesus Christ.

“As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death,” Phil. 3:10

“asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”Eph. 1:17

The Message Bible states it so beautifully, “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! “ 2 Peter 1:3

Faith – The only way to have the abundant life that Christ gives us is through faith in what He did for us on the cross, and that He rose victoriously from the tomb so that through faith we can have everlasting life. This marvelous faith can continue to grow as we get to know Him intimately.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph 2:8,9

“Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.” Col. 2:7

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 1:14

Eternity - Our life does not end when we die! On the contrary, when we put our faith and trust in Christ, our life is just beginning… and will never end! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

"I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” John 5:24

"I assure you, anyone who believes in me already has eternal life.” John 6:47

“And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” John 17:3

This week as we ponder what Easter is all about, may we not get all wrapped up in the secular Easter of the baskets, eggs, and bunnies; but may we think about the real reason why God sent His son, Jesus Christ… so that we may have life… and have it more abundantly.

Dear gracious heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son to die on the cruel cross for my sins. I am so thankful that You desire to know me intimately and that I can know you intimately through Your precious Son and Word. I am so thankful that it is through faith I am saved and not of works. Heavenly Father, may my faith continue to grow strong and may my life overflow with continual thanksgiving for all You have done. Thank you Lord for giving me everlasting life that began the day I became born into Your family! Thank you heavenly Father for giving me LIFE, more abundantly than I can ever imagine! In Jesus precious name, Amen.




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22 comments:

Laurie Ann said...

Amen, Michele! Beautifully written. Loved the Scriptures you gave with the LIFE, too!

He & Me + 3 said...

Beautiful picture. Love it! I am so thankful for my life in Christ and that it means Eternity will be spent in His presence.
Thanks for sharing.
XO,
Mimi

Amydeanne said...

wow Michele! I loved this post! thanks for sharing!

Alleluiabelle said...

I am filled here again Michele. What deep reflections you have shared about this Holy week. Reading through each word of your post, I was becoming closer and closer and closer to Him, to what He did for all of us by the price He paid in His crucifiction...and then...HIS RESURRECTION...Oh what a beautiful, beautiful thing. I am touched deeply, very, very deeply.

Thank you!

Blessings,
Alleluiabelle

Cathy said...

Wonderful picture and verse, thank you ~

i said...

Hi Michele, what a wonderful post! Amen! God bless you!

luvmy4sons said...

Oh amen! We have life-Jesus IS life! Too wonderful to take in at times! Amen Amen!

Angela said...

Dear gracious heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son to die on the cruel cross for my sins. I am so thankful that You desire to know me intimately and that I can know you intimately through Your precious Son and Word. I am so thankful that it is through faith I am saved and not of works. Heavenly Father, may my faith continue to grow strong and may my life overflow with continual thanksgiving for all You have done. Thank you Lord for giving me everlasting life that began the day I became born into Your family! Thank you heavenly Father for giving me LIFE, more abundantly than I can ever imagine! In Jesus precious name, Amen.

amen amen amen..made this my prayer also.

Beth in NC said...

Amen! My daughter says, "Jesus died to give us life." That sums it up doesn't it?

Happy TT and Happy Resurrection Day!

LAURIE said...

Loved the scriptures you shared here. Life begins with Jesus! Happy TT, Laurie

Anonymous said...

Amen Michele! Your post is such a wonderful reminder of who we serve! I was truly blessed by your post!

Blessings,
Kennisha

Thanks for visiting my blog also! You left a lovely comment :)

Angela Nazworth said...

What a wonderful word picture! Thank you so much for linking.

Bonnie said...

Oh yes, yes & yes! I love reading this week's posts. So much hope, love & faith! What a joy you were to read today. Thank you for your post. Have a blessed Easter.

Tea with Tiffany said...

Love this post, what amazing hope that we have. LIFE....

Keep shouting out HIS story!

Tammy said...

Thanks for sharing Michelle - love all the verses...thankful that the Lord us and sent His son and by our faith we can have eternal life!

LisaShaw said...

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! dear sister!!!

Edie said...

I love this. Love, Intimacy, Faith, Eternity. Can't sum it up any better than this.

Thanks for the compliment you left me on Lisa's blog makeover. I appreciate your kind words. :)

Have a blessed Easter!

Darlene said...

Wonderful post!
Thanks for sharing!
Have a Happy Easter!!!!

God Chaser said...

This was wonderful-thanks for sharing your heart with us. Blessings and a wonderful Spirit filled Resurresction day.

Joyful for Life and intimacy in Christ!
Willnette

aspiritofsimplicity said...

What a lovely and inspiring post.

Marsha said...

Praise the Giver of LIFE!
Love this.

Unknown said...

I loved this - thank you Michele! What a wonderful way to express Easter ~ Allison