If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 6:5, 8:11 and 2 Timothy 2:11

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #41: To Secure Our Resurrection from the Dead.  The devotion opens with Piper writing that "[t]he resurrection of Jesus is God’s gift and proof that his death was completely successful in blotting out the sins of his people and removing the wrath of God."  We are referred to Philippians 2:8-9 and John 19:30 where the text shares how "therefore" Christ is highly exalted and humanity's penalty for sin was paid (in entirety) by Christ's death on the cross, accomplishing via the second Adam what could not be accomplished by the first Adam (1 Corinthians 15). The devotion then shares what all believers should understand, even though many - including myself - overlook: "[i]f sin is paid for, and righteousness is provided, and justice is satisfied, nothing can keep Christ or his people in the grave."  See also Revelation 1:18.  Because He has the keys to Death and Hades, believers have assurance in the promise of their own resurrection - see also Romans 6:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, and 1 Corinthians 6:14.  The devotion concludes by first pointing to 1 Corinthians 15:56-57, 52, and 54 where the text describes how our sin condemns us to death but Christ's life and death removes the sting of sin and death as "death is swallowed up in victory."  All are then pointed to John 11:25 and invited to repent of sins, accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, have faith, and receive the gift of forgiveness of sin and everlasting life. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God, how awesome are You that You defeated sin and death and promise me resurrected and eternal life.  Thank You Father God.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor eternal life.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Chapter 25: Pages 350-361

 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

This afternoon, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 5 "Providence Over Life and Death" - moving to chapter twenty-five "We Are Immortal till Our Work Is Done".

Here, Piper explores the difficult question of how believers can see God's goodness and mercy in death. Piper challenges us to ponder whether we would rather be in the hands of Satan or God upon death or martyrdom. Of course the answer is easy for believers.  Piper wants us to see that "[f]or those who belong to him, the timing and outcome of...death is mercy, not wrath."

Piper uses stories of how several missionaries endured tragic loss of loved ones but still found comfort and joy in the grace of Jesus. One such missionary expresses this feeling of comfort by saying "For [unbelievers] the pain is fundamental and the joy is superficial because it won't last.  For [believers], the pain is superficial and the joy is fundamental."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and I know that You will be with me until the end of the age and that nothing can separate me from Your love - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 11

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Lazarus: The Final Witness*".

*Title of lesson eight from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day three starts with Max Lucado discussing how Martha felt betrayed by Jesus when she initially saw him on His way to the now dead and buried Lazarus (John 11:21). Lucado shares how many feel betrayed by Jesus during these moments of loss when one sometimes wonders why someone had to die. Jesus of course has the answer and verses 23-27 chronicle the dialogue between Jesus and Martha on how belief in Jesus leads to everlasting life.  The feeling of betrayal then leads to desperation as Martha has no other answer than to rely on Jesus - she has the faith Jesus wants all of us to have. She then sends to her sister Mary who challenges Jesus just as Martha did and we see Jesus weeping and moved. We see Jesus weeping and for Martha and Mary one can only speculate how comforting it must have been to see Jesus - who Martha correctly refers to as "Messiah, the Son of God" - weeping.  God really does care about us - that is why He sent His Son.  For many, the road from feelings of betrayal to desperation leads to Jesus and a strengthened faith.  It certainly helps that we have a God who can empathize with all of our needs.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Discuss and comment on this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who knows and provides for all of my needs - and You provide everlasting life for those who believe - thank You Jesus.  This is the greatest gift of all.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I worry, I lack patience, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’”

Isaiah 62

“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’” v11

As Isaiah continues to prophecy about the coming Savior - Jesus Christ - we get a glimpse of who He is; as a God who brings reward and payment for our sins.  What great gifts indeed! This reward is freedom from the sting of sin and death and everlasting life...among the many rewards.

Thank You Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for such gifts but I am not worth such gifts as I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.