Will you still believe Jesus is risen from the dead on Monday morning?

Do you believe Jesus has risen from the dead?

In a few days church pews will be filled with people wearing their Sunday best.  We will sit among our family and friends and eagerly await the pastor's passionate declaration that "HE IS RISEN!"  Then in one accord, with the fervor of a new believer, we will resound, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!"

All too quickly the music will end and the crowds of people will disperse.  Before you know it Easter Sunday will turn into another Monday.  The reality of your brokenness will creep in.  Your life struggles will still be there.  The things that break your heart will start gnawing at you again.  Will you still believe He is risen?

It's easy on Easter Sunday to shout our praise for the risen Savior, but what does your Monday morning say that you believe?

Do you worry about the future?  Do you feel alone or unseen?  Is fear paralyzing you?  Are you shrouded in guilt and shame?  Feeling hopeless?  Doubting God really cares?

If you are a believer but find yourself struggling to believe right now, may I offer you some encouragement?  Or rather, may I remind you of the unfathomable, unending encouragement that Jesus gave us when He rose that Easter morning?

God is the God of the impossible!  
Think about it.  Death is the thing we fear most because it's impossible to escape.  Once the life has left our body we are powerless to do anything about it.  But God?  He is the God of the impossible!

But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. Acts 2:24

You see, it was IMPOSSIBLE for death hold Him!  Death, even death has no power over our God!! Our God is the God of the impossible!

"For nothing is impossible with God!" Luke 1:37

Do you find yourself in an impossible situation?  Jesus' resurrection is your very real reminder that your impossible is no match for your risen Savior!


God does what He says He will do. 
In this fickle world, "promises" end up being more like an empty sentiment given to temporarily ease the pain.  You have most likely been on both sides of promises made that weren't kept.  The longer you live, it seems the fewer people you can trust.  Jesus' resurrection stands in raw and liberating contrast to this wavering world. God does what He says He will do.  Many times in Jesus' life He spoke about what was to happen.  His suffering, His death, and ultimately His resurrection.  He wasn't shocked when they seized Him.  He wasn't devastated when Barabbas was set free and He was sentenced to death.  He wasn't sorrowful about leaving his dear friends and followers because He knew it would only be for "a little while".  (John 16:16)  These things didn't take Him by surprise because He knew.  Not only did He know, but He declared it would happen and then He saw to it that it happened as He declared.  God is sovereignly reigning over all of creation, and that, dear one, includes you.

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Cor 1:20

Are you worried about what tomorrow may hold?  Do you wonder if God sees you and knows what you're going through?  He is sovereign!  His word is full of promises for His children and He does what He says He will do.  He sees you, He knows what you are  going through and He holds your tomorrow!  He is working right now on your behalf.  His promises are sure.  He has said that He will finish the work He began in You. (Phil 1:6)  Rest in His sovereignty.  Trust His promises.  When Jesus rose from the dead He punctuated His faithfulness to His word. 

Your sins are forgiven!
From before time, God's plan to save us sinners from the penalty of our sin (which was certain death) was Jesus' certain death.  He took the weight of our sin upon Himself and died a sinners death.  When He arose from the grave, the power of sin and death was broken once and for ALL!

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6 

Do you feel weighed down by the sin that entangles you?  Do you wonder how God could ever accept you?  Jesus' death and resurrection is freedom from your bondage!  Let the atoning blood of Jesus wash over you and walk in freedom!

For Christ also died for sins once for all the just for the unjust so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit.  1 Peter 3:18

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. Ephesians 1:7

We have a living hope!
When the world says they "hope" that something happens, it's a wishful thinking, a positive thought.  This is NOT the hope we have in Christ!  We have a LIVING hope!  Our hope is not predicated on our circumstances, it is anchored in Him.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you."  1 Peter 1:3

This is a sure and confident expectation that the future is in His strong and capable hands.  Our hope is in Him and He has risen indeed!

Are you feeling hopeless?  Can't see the end to your troubles?  Wonder what good could possibly be waiting for you?  The resurrection of Jesus is your confidence.  You can expect great things!  Through Him you are guaranteed an inheritance that will last forever, is pure, and will never lose its luster.  Live in this LIVING hope!  


We are never alone!
Oh what great lengths God went to to make a way for us to be reconciled unto Him and to join His family!  When Jesus was raised back to life He made a way for us to have new life as a child of God.  And as an adopted son or daughter we have the very spirit of God living in us!

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.  John 16:7

Do you wonder where you belong?  Have you been orphaned/neglected?  Remember, because Jesus was raised to life, the Holy Spirit, the Helper, is alive within every child of the King!  You are part of the body of Christ, and you are never. ever. alone. 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

We have nothing to fear!
Do you know that God loves you?  No, really.  He loves you.  Not in a kum-by-yah, floating on clouds kind of way.  A deeper, soul gripping kind of love.  The kind of love that cost Him everything.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection was God's grand display of love for us.  When that kind of love settles in your heart, fear scatters like termites in the light.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. 1 John 4:18

Are you paralyzed by your fear?  Do your thoughts run unbridled with fear's folly?  Fear not!  For God SO LOVED you that He gave His only son for you! (John 3:16a)  He has taken the punishment of our sins upon Himself so that we no longer have to fear our final judgement.  Our resurrected Savior is all you need to walk in assurance!  Rest in His unimaginable love and fear not dear ones!

This Easter Sunday join your community of believers in shouting praise to the God who is so worthy of your praise.  When the dawn breaks on Monday morning, may your life echo a heart that truly believes He is risen- HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Is He worthy?
HE IS!!