Our Living Hope - Jesus Christ - 1 Peter 13-4  ::  Something happened on Good Friday. I didn't expect something so small to impact my stubborn, angry heart in such a big way.

Something happened on Good Friday.

I was preparing my Facebook posts for the An Extraordinary Day page… it wasn’t something I wanted to do… I was just going through the motions… and then I found myself going from being detached… to totally desiring to speak and share Truth.  God’s Truth.  Jesus’ sacrifice.

Something happened to my heart in the midst of writing and preparing those posts.

Our church had a Good Friday service which we attended.  For several weeks I had struggled to join in the corporate singing.  But that night, I easily sang those songs.  I sang Truth.  And worshiped.  Really worshiped from the depth of my heart.

Something happened as I prepared and wrote those posts.

So when I read this verse in my readings… I just had to share it with you.

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 

1 Peter 1:3-4

Speaking Truth… and praising the Lord is heart-changing.

But even more… this message of God’s mercy… of Christ’s resurrection… new life for us… and an amazing future that is ours… is the ultimate truth.  It’s why we worship.  It’s why we celebrate Easter.  It’s why Jesus’ resurrection rocks our world.

There’s no more hoping things will be better… because our ultimate Hope is Jesus!

When He carried the cross… when He was pierced for our sin… when He went to hell for us… when He overcame death and came to life again… everything changed.  Forever.  Period.

This Truth is so amazing… so humbling… that it took my angry, stubborn heart and caused it to rejoice.

Whatever it is that’s going on in your life… turn your focus from your situation to Jesus.  Look at Him and His sacrifice for you. Let it sink in.  And then… humbly… let gratitude flow from your heart.

Did my situation change because I changed my focus?  No it didn’t.

What did change was the heaviness of my cares.

Jesus said…

“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

When we focus on God’s Truth…

and praise and worship and express our gratitude…

rest comes to us.

All of this is possible because of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.

As you celebrate Easter… take God’s great mercy expressed through the death and resurrection of Christ…

and choose this new life offered by our living HOPE — Jesus.

It’s heart-changing and refreshing.

Rejoice my friend… put on the garment of Hope… put on Jesus.

And be blessed.

JoyDay!

 

It’s JoyDay!

JoyDay! is a weekly practice here at An Extraordinary Day! where we take time to look back over the past week and count seven things in gratitude.  We count the good and the not-so-good… in community…. please join us…

I’ll start…

Thank you God for…

  1. Your gift of Jesus and this incomprehensible love and sacrifice.
  2. the gift of additional time and knowing YOU are our HOPE.
  3. two sunny days that were just what I needed.
  4. drawing me to you.
  5. your faithfulness in our lives.
  6. my very sore, hurting, and tired hands.
  7. all Your promises which are YES in Christ Jesus.

It’s YOUR turn! Scroll down to the comment section and add in your “seven.”

Happy Easter!

 

Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    Beautiful message Diane and Happy Easter!
    1. For my baptism on Easter Sunday
    2. For my wonderful son
    3. That my faith in the Lord got me through another week
    4. That one of my friends chemo is done and I pray for her healing
    5. That I have a roof over my head and food to eat
    6. For my friends and loved ones
    7. That Jesus loves me no matter what. Amen!

    • Oh Debbie!! I celebrate with you today!! Being baptized is so exciting! What a wonderful next step in following Jesus! (BTW… I too was baptized on Easter quite a few years ago. It’s pretty special!)
      Thank you for sharing your ‘seven’ and I rejoice at God’s love and faithfulness in your life and in the lives of those you love. May your week be filled with JOY!! Happy Easter!!

  2. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God for….
    1. Easter Week and the preparation for Resurrection Sunday our greatest gift!
    2. For the time Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday to reflect, meditate, pray, delve deeply into the Word of God, rest and be still and quiet before the Lord….
    3. For the possibility that I maybe eligible for Short term disability for my surgery in June…
    4. For all the people who have been there and helped me in so many ways over the last 9 months…
    5. A wonderful lunch and visit with Jordan..
    6. showing me how to be grateful and joyful in the midst of the trials!
    7. a wonderful Easter Service….

    • Isn’t it interesting how Holy Week an impact us so deeply and lift us to new places in Christ?
      Debbi, I rejoice with you in how God has met you and continues to demonstrate His love and care for you… though maybe not in “our” time table… but He has and will meet each and every need. I believe it. I’ll pray for the short term disability. That would be amazing!!!!!! Glad you had a wonderful visit with Jordan. Happy Easter sweet friend!

  3. Gwen says

    Oh my! I’m a day late but the schools are out so is it still Easter Joy Day??
    I want to print today’s out to better study it. Get it in my brain. Isn’t God just wonderful? I don’t have the best sense of time and realized you meant just a few days ago this happened Good Friday was…how Good?✝. A lot in this post. I’ve never remembered using this verse for my Easter verse. It’s perfect.
    Joy
    1. Curt finally slept
    2. Surprise stems of unopened Easter Lilies delivered from my youngest like she did as a little girl. DingDong??I look and see flowers on my doorstep!!!
    3. She got us a few groceries and visited like in the olden days?
    4. Mom got to church!! My sister helped her get ready and they got there
    5. My sister in NE despite windy snow her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren came for Easter ✝. Praying for her hip replacement soon
    6. Got to sit outside in dappled sunshine a few minutes
    7. Verses for right now. My neighbors yell and threaten each other and us and I hear him again so I pray protection God answered so quickly twice on Saturday

    • Sorry to be so late in responding, Gwen. I read your comment immediately and was so encouraged by your words. I’m so glad you liked this verse for Easter, too.
      What a sweet daughter to deliver flowers to you in an old-fashioned way. I loved reading all the ways God brought joy into your life and for how He continues help you through your difficulties and challenges.

      Sending love and hugs your way!

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