| ||||||||
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Beliefs - Bible Studies Jesus Lives |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
They were a miserable lot, as they stared silently at the floor. Jesus had He kept
talking about the kingdom, about eternal life. But now he was dead. Their
hopes, their expectations, their dreams, all had died with him. Why did this have
to happen? What to do now? Where to go?
But then Mary came. Oh, the emotions that swept over them as she barged into
their miserable world and breathlessly told those gathered that Jesus was alive.
Could it be true? Hot emotions quickly swept over the crowd, one of harsh
unbelief, as Thomas who later declared, “except I shall see in his hands the print
of the nails, and put my finger in the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into
his side, I will not believe.” One of hopeful expectation, as ever-bold Peter,
immediately rushed out to see if it were true. Then one by one they, all, saw
him. Jesus was definitely alive.
The same, yet, somehow different, their hearts and minds began to understand
what had happened, why he had to come and die. They began to feel
something welling up within them and then it happened. The day, so long
prophesied, had come. The Holy Spirit empowered them, guiding them,
strengthening them, encouraging them. The disciples of the Lord God were
given the mission and privilege to win a lost and dying world at all costs. Given
the power to usher in the Kingdom of Christ.
Their hopes, expectations, dreams, all renewed, were carried to even greater
heights than when Jesus was physically with them. They could feel him, sense
him, knew he was working in their lives. The memory of the cross, that earlier
had caused such pain and heartache, now brought unspeakable joy. The
helpless fear had been replaced with divine courage. Jesus was alive and
working through them.
We are no different than the disciples; our hopes and dreams sometimes get
trampled to the ground in this fast paced, chaotic, world in which we live.
Sometimes fear grips our souls and unbelief shakes our spiritual foundation, so
much so, that we want to call it quits.
During those times, our thoughts must be placed constantly upon the living
Christ and His Word. Our strength must consistently come from His faithful
promises that he will never leave nor forsake us. Our faith must rest constantly
in His resurrection, that as he arose to newness of life, we too shall arise to
unspeakable joy, as we look full in His wonderful face. Jesus is alive and working
through us.
- Bro. Rudy Oakes
May 2003
talking about the kingdom, about eternal life. But now he was dead. Their
hopes, their expectations, their dreams, all had died with him. Why did this have
to happen? What to do now? Where to go?
But then Mary came. Oh, the emotions that swept over them as she barged into
their miserable world and breathlessly told those gathered that Jesus was alive.
Could it be true? Hot emotions quickly swept over the crowd, one of harsh
unbelief, as Thomas who later declared, “except I shall see in his hands the print
of the nails, and put my finger in the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into
his side, I will not believe.” One of hopeful expectation, as ever-bold Peter,
immediately rushed out to see if it were true. Then one by one they, all, saw
him. Jesus was definitely alive.
The same, yet, somehow different, their hearts and minds began to understand
what had happened, why he had to come and die. They began to feel
something welling up within them and then it happened. The day, so long
prophesied, had come. The Holy Spirit empowered them, guiding them,
strengthening them, encouraging them. The disciples of the Lord God were
given the mission and privilege to win a lost and dying world at all costs. Given
the power to usher in the Kingdom of Christ.
Their hopes, expectations, dreams, all renewed, were carried to even greater
heights than when Jesus was physically with them. They could feel him, sense
him, knew he was working in their lives. The memory of the cross, that earlier
had caused such pain and heartache, now brought unspeakable joy. The
helpless fear had been replaced with divine courage. Jesus was alive and
working through them.
We are no different than the disciples; our hopes and dreams sometimes get
trampled to the ground in this fast paced, chaotic, world in which we live.
Sometimes fear grips our souls and unbelief shakes our spiritual foundation, so
much so, that we want to call it quits.
During those times, our thoughts must be placed constantly upon the living
Christ and His Word. Our strength must consistently come from His faithful
promises that he will never leave nor forsake us. Our faith must rest constantly
in His resurrection, that as he arose to newness of life, we too shall arise to
unspeakable joy, as we look full in His wonderful face. Jesus is alive and working
through us.
- Bro. Rudy Oakes
May 2003