Resurrection Day 2010: a King's story

This is the text version of a "card" of sorts, my creation for Resurrection Day this year. Check it out in full color PDF form with graphics from creativemyk.com through the title link below (and if you want a printed copy, just ask):

"A King's Story"

“In the beginning...”

Seems like a fine place to begin a story.

So what happened?

Well, for a start, “God created.”

He created everything you see around you.

The heavens, Earth, plants, animals. And people.

And He called it “good.”

And it was. The people had everything.

Satisfying work, tame animals, abundant food, perfect relationships, direct access to God.

    “It was very good.”

But they wanted more.

One day, “very good” suddenly wasn’t good enough. The people did the one thing God said not to. And when they understood they did something wrong, something against Him, they ran. They hid from God.

And God sought them out.

Their actions had direct and dire consequences. They hurt each other, and they hurt God. They were cursed. Death was new. Yet He sought them to cover them, to give them some protection from what was to come.

    And, to make a Promise.

        Someone was going to restore all this.

Generations passed. Languages developed. Nations formed. And people still wanted their way instead of God’s.

Eventually God chose one nation in particular to show Himself to the rest of the world. He gave them specific things to do so all the nations could see Him through them. And time and time again, wanting their way like everyone else, these people failed.

But God kept restating it.

The Promise was made.

“For to us a child is born...

and the government shall be upon his shoulder...”            

-Isaiah 9:6

And through these people

a King was born.

“For unto you is born this day

... a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:11

His Name Is Jesus.

He was there in the beginning, the Creator through whom all things exist (John 1:1-5). He came to His creation as an infant and grew to be a Man. He was tempted in all ways as we are, but always lived God’s way (Hebrews 4:15). He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only way to God (John 14:6). He was the Promised One who was in all things innocent, in all of life perfect, and in all ways God.

And they tortured Him & nailed Him to a cross.

“And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour... And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” -Mark 15:33, 37-39

Those were the darkest hours the Earth has ever seen.

Jesus died.

But this King’s story doesn’t end...

For three days, His tomb stood silent.
   And then, the impossible happened.

As some women were going to visit the tomb, an angel surprised them, saying, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” -Matthew 28:5-6

“As (His disciples) were talking ... Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet (the nail scars).” -Luke 24:36-40

Jesus is alive!

The Creator took the punishment for His creatures’ rebellion against Him. He had conquered death and the grave. To the people God called His own, He made a way for their relationship to be right again. He did everything they could not. He truly was the Way. He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). 

The Promise is fulfilled.

And as God reveals Himself through His people today

    the Creator prepares to create again

        a new Kingdom in a renewed Earth.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” -Revelation 21:1-5

The King tells His story...

    As a couple of men went walking, “Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” He asked what they were discussing and they said, “‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’
    “And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” -Luke 24:15-27

   

    And to His disciples, Jesus said, “‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” -Luke 24:44-47

What’s Your Part in the Story?

Everyone who’s ever lived has had a part in the King’s story. All of the Bible and all of history are God’s story, and all creation is waiting for the restoration to come.

Jesus came to restore His people and bring them back to Him. God calls each of us to turn from our own way and to Him, trusting Jesus as the Restorer who died to take the punishment of all who believe in Him, bringing them eternal life in a renewed Earth and Heavens with Him forever.

If you know Jesus as Lord, praise Him for what He has done, is doing, and will do for eternity in making our relationships, our work and our world right again.

If you don’t know Him, ask Jesus to show Himself to you for who He really is. Trust Him. Believe in Him as Lord, Savior and God. And then look forward to His future.

The Story of
Jesus Christ
Creator,
Redeemer,
Restorer,
Promised
King of Kings.

Resurrection
Day Blessings

(All Scripture quoted from the English Standard Version.)

a peace that passes understanding

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” -2 Timothy 1:7

In this year of political paranoia and financial failure, I've heard a lot of fear mongering from all kinds of people. I even met a conspiracy theorist in the freezer aisle at Trader Joe's a few weeks ago who was very concerned about the year 2012 and the Queen of England, among other things. And I've met more than a few people calling themselves Christians who are just beside themselves over all that's happening around them.

Granted, this is a difficult election on many levels, and I admit that I'm struggling to feel I can vote for either of the primary presidential candidates in good conscience before my Lord for a variety of reasons.

I'm also married to a man who just a few months ago had to end a job of 20+ years. We're currently trying to work out a situation with health insurance, and took at least one hit from the stock market ourselves.

But all that said, I'm not afraid of the future.

Maybe you've seen this e-mail, which has been going around for a while now:

10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer (to the One, True, Living God) will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praises to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross for you.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost if they turn to Him.

Isn’t it great to know Who's still in control?

Now, want a prediction on who's going to win? It will be the man God chooses. But that doesn't negate our responsibility to vote, for the president or any other candidate or issue. What's incredible is that in the U.S. we get to vote and be part of the process of His choosing. So we need to do our research, vote as the Lord leads and leave the results to Him.

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes." -Proverbs 21:1

Also, regardless of who wins, believers need to follow the Lord's leading in how we can most glorify Him in whatever situations arise. Anything can happen, no matter who is in the Oval Office. (Remember The Civil War? WWI? WWII? Black Friday? Vietnam? Desert Storm? 9/11? Hurricane Katrina? Need I go on?) And God will be (has been, always is) in control of it all. He will always remain on His throne.

Christian, be ready to see how He will call you to serve in His historical framework rather than advising Him on your opinion of how things should be.

If you're one who doesn't know Him, I pray you will.

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." -Job 1:21

As for the financial fallout, my husband was surprised when I wasn't nervous given his work situation. But I was (still am) trusting the Lord the whole time. I still had a job. Seeing what was coming, he was smart enough to take a bridge job even before leaving. This summer, the multi-talented guy could barely keep up with all the side jobs he was offered. I even got in on some of that action, which was fun. And now he has a job very close to home, thus saving gasoline, and could not be any more in his element.

The Lord clearly provided, past and present, in ways no one would have imagined. And as I watched and waited to see what would happen next, I saw (continue to see) His extraordinary control at every turn, and I give Him all the glory.

Will we ignore the Lord Jesus Christ who tells us not to worry about our basic needs? What does He say?

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." -Matthew 6:33-34

Seek Him first. Trust Him. He'll take care of you.

"...whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31

If you are a believer in Christ, you should be completely secure, no matter what the circumstance. Continue to watch what He does. Really watch! You will find ways to glorify Him. Don't get caught up in all the noise and distractions of whatever you think are horrible circumstances (even if they truly are). This is not the eternity we are looking for. Things will be bad here. He even told us so.

"...In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

We trust Him. We look to Him for peace. We wait for His return.

The Bible spends a lot of time telling us things will, in fact, get worse before they get better—and by better, I mean the return of our King to set things right once and for all. Why, then, are we surprised when seemingly bad things happen, or if things appear "worse" than in the past? (Which is, in many instances, blown out of proportion or highly questionable.) We live in a world that's been sinful and fallen for a few thousand years. But now, we can broadcast our wretchedness to everyone. I often wonder if things are really worse or just more obvious.

Either way, God would be just to judge every nation at any given time. But in His patience He is waiting for the fullness of time and sparing us all. Praise Him for His mercy in allowing all who are called to come into His Kingdom.

"He who testifies to these things (in the Book of Revelation) says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" -Revelation 22:20

Pray for His coming. Look for His works. Glorify Him in all you see Him do. Trust Him for His ultimate decisions and control. Find your comfort in Him alone. And share who He is with others as you go, so those who are called by Him will eventually answer, glorify His Name and find peace in Him as well.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6

why do bad things happen?

Q. If we pray to God to watch over and protect us and if we have guardian angels, then why do bad things happen to us?

A. Prayer is often misunderstood, and is easily a study unto itself. But assuming that one is praying to the one, true God, there are many reason why "bad things" might still occur. Being a true Christian does not instantly make one exempt from hardship. In fact, some Christians find that they go through many more difficulties after they become followers of Jesus.

There are several reasons why we experience problems in this life. Some of the problems and hardships we experience are due to sin in a fallen world. Sin is doing something God says not to or avoiding doing something he commands, and every sin yields a consequence. This may mean anything from feeling convicted to contracting disease. Many people do not understand why a loving God would give harsh consequences to His children, but "the Lord disciplines those he loves," just like an earthly father punishes his own children for misbehaving. (Proverbs 3:12) We never "get away with" sin. Our actions may not always yield immediately apparent consequences, but problems eventually result. If we do not soon come to a point of turning away from our sin and back to God, we should consider whether we truly believe in Him.

Additionally, every time a person sins, people around that person are affected. David's situation in 2 Samuel 11:1-12:19 was an example of this. When David sinned with Bathsheba, he committed adultery, had her husband Uriah murdered and later lost his own son as a result. In addition to the fact that David enabled Bathsheba to sin as well, both their child and Uriah, who were innocent in this circumstance, lost their lives as a result of David's disobedience to God. Remember this the next time you feel the urge to do something that goes against the Word of God. Your choices, even the small ones, do affect others, especially those closest to you.

There are other reasons we experience trials as well. When we speak of "trials," we need to remember that God does not tempt us, as noted in the following verse:

"Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." -James 1:13-15 (NKJV)

So, temptation is not from God, but He does allow trials to happen in our lives so that our faith may be tested and strengthened. The book of Job gives an example of a man who was faithful to God, yet the Lord allowed Satan to take away everything Job had in order that His faith might be tested. Through it all, Job did not deny the Lord.

Trials can also draw us closer to the Lord. These experiences can and should increase our dependence upon Jesus. Many people come to the Lord in prayer only when something is going wrong, and neglect to praise Him when times are good. He may use difficulties to get our attention so that we will come back to Him. Sometimes these circumstances may seem extreme, however the Lord wants us to find our joy in Him, and will use whatever means necessary to draw us back.

After we have gone through difficulties, and sometimes while we are still in them, the Lord can also use us to help others who are going through the same thing. We can be a comfort to others when we can truly sympathize with them. And if we are helping someone through a hardship, this may become an opportunity to share the Gospel and explain how we got through our circumstances by depending on the Lord for strength.

The Lord uses difficult circumstances in our lives for many different reasons. But followers of Jesus can rest assured that He will always do what is best for us, and for His ultimate glory. As we learn to lean on Him through good and bad times, we will be made stronger for it, and perhaps help to strengthen others along the way.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." -James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

As a side note, it should be made clear that the term "guardian angel" is never used in the Bible, and that term is often misappropriated.