Last week Pastor Matt talked about Jesus’ brutal death on the cross. He mentioned different theories from skeptics regarding Jesus’ death and how some believe He never died at all. As Christians, we absolutely believe that Jesus died! Because of His death, burial, and resurrection we can receive the gift of eternal life. We also have hope while on this earth. We have hope for our future and we can find joy in all circumstances, because of Him!
“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” -John 16:22
No one. No one can take the joy that only He can give.
Last week I wrote about my struggle to find time to listen and to then meditate on what the Lord has spoken to me. Well, I finally took some time to do this earlier in the week and this is what He laid on my heart:
Still. Be still. Still my hurry. Still my worry. Still my fear. Still my anxieties. Stir my thoughts. As the song “Tremble” by Mosaic MSC quietly whispers in my ear:
“Your name is a light that the shadows can't deny
Your name cannot be overcome
Your name is alive forever lifted high
Your name cannot be overcome
Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble
Jesus, Jesus, You silence fear”
And Jesus whispers in my ear: “take captive your thoughts and make them obedient to me, Katie!” Satan, release my thoughts. In Jesus’ name - you are bound! Release your grip. Jesus - consume my thoughts. Soften my heart. Take all of me for your glory. What does this look like? It feels overwhelming, but your yoke is easy and your burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Serving You in all things and ways is not natural. I am naturally selfish, impatient, rude, and slanderous. Jesus, I need Your Holy Spirit so desperately. I need You in order to bring glory to Your name. My flesh can’t do that alone. What are the purposes of You breathing life into me? Why? Why do I have life? To serve You, love you, and be in relationship with You! Guide me to righteousness so others can see and know You too! What does this look like? Why do You have me in this little town of Indian River? How can I reach the lost and bring them to You?
This week the sermon title is: “Is the tomb empty?” What does the empty tomb mean for us today? The empty tomb is our reason for living. He defeated death so that we could live! Not only on this earth, but for eternity, with Him! He breathed His life into you, into all of us! He has you where He does for a beautiful purpose. What does this look like for your life? What does the empty tomb mean for you?
Believe these truths today:
“He will take away death for all time. The Lord God will dry tears from all faces. He will take away the shame of His people from all the earth. For the Lord has spoken. It will be said in that day, ‘See, this is our God. We have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the Lord for Whom we have waited. Let us be glad and full of joy because He saves us.’”
-Isaiah 25:8-9
“‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
-1 Corinthians 15:55-57
In Him,
Katie Karlson
Check out the whole “Tremble” song!
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