Doing the Impossible

I hope each of you had a joyous and restful Easter. This time of year is a wonderful time of renewal and newness of life all around. Take some time just to enjoy all that God is doing around you.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the challenges that you are facing? Do the deadlines, uncertainties, and frustrations, at times, seem to encompass all of your thoughts? If so, you are not alone. We do face trials--we do face tough times. But, please know we are not walking this path alone.

Not surprisingly, Jesus addressed challenges in His word. In Mark 3, Jesus again entered the synagogue, and a man with a withered hand was there. He asked the man to step forward and to "stretch out his hand." The man may have been thinking "stretch out my hand, what do you mean. I can't do that--I've never been able to do that. My hand doesn't work." But look at what the man does in v. 5, "he stretched it out." And immediately, Jesus healed him. As this man put forth the effort, God then did the rest.

Faith disregards impossibilities. This man placed his faith in the fact that God can do the impossible. What seems impossible to man is completely possible with God. (Luke 18:27 NIV). Do you believe that God can heal your "withered hand"? Please know, He can.

Place your trust in the fact that He has a plan for all the challenges we face. When we place our cares in His hands, we open the door for a peace which defies understanding to take the place of fear and frustration. Are you willing to give up the fear and frustration for that kind of peace?

Stay Strong.

An Easter You Will Never Forget

Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. And because of this, you and I live fully alive also. Not just with our eyes open and with air in our lunds, but also with a heart and soul that are full of Him. Jesus came not just to give us life, but to give it to each of us to the full. (John 10:10 NIV).

Some of you do not know the power of the risen Christ. You have never knelt at the foot of the cross and had all of your sins forgiven. On that first Good Friday, Jesus Christ willingly died on the cross taking your place. He took the judgment that was yours and made it His. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). On the third day (what we celebrate as "Easter"), Jesus was raised from the dead. That fact is a guarantee that the work of Christ as your substitute on the cross was acceptable to God.

So, what does this mean to me you may ask. This means that from this point forward, your life may never be the same again. You life can be one of joy, love, self-control, and a peace which cannot be explained. To receive this--all you need to do is believe and accept. Nothing else. Believe that the work of Christ on the cross removed the barrier of sin from your life. And accept His unconditional love and forgiveness. When you do this, God says that He will clothe you in His righteousness. Everyone, no matter where you have been or what you have done, can know the power of the resurrected Christ. If you will put your trust in Him by faith, Jesus Christ will go with you through the disappointments, the tragedies and the trials. He promises to never leave you or forsake you.

What a glorious thing it would be this Easter to give your life to Christ. He is waiting to let the resurrected Christ come to dwell in your heart and give you His power to meet the challenges and the problems of your day! Today, many people are confused, lonely, and discouraged. Their "gods" have let them down. Give your life to Christ--who will never let you down. Give Him a chance--let Him transform your life. Will you give Him that chance today?

Stay Strong.