The Obvious Question

Three grief-stricken women faced an emotional and challenging task on that first Easter morning. Jesus died the day before, and they wanted to anoint His Body for a proper burial. Just after sunrise, they made their way to the tomb. But they had to acknowledge a problem of gigantic proportions — “Who will roll away the stone?”

Suddenly, their ordinary question received an extraordinary answer. When they looked up, the stone was rolled away, and the empty tomb confirmed the resurrection of Jesus!

The Scriptures tell us the account.

“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed, he said. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!” (Mark 16:1-6).

God Still Rolls Away Stones Like the women on Easter morning, we grapple with our own obstacles, our personal problems of gigantic proportions. In relationships, in finances, and in disappointments, we ask, “Who will roll away the stone?” Yet when we look up—like Mary, Mary, and Salome—we discover that God, in His glorious faithfulness, has rolled away the stone; maybe last minute, but on time, in time, exactly when needed. For our all-powerful, loving God, His faithfulness and His grace are greater than the stone, regardless of its size.

God Still Wants to Display the Resurrection Within all our human conundrums of heartache and hopelessness, God wants to accomplish a greater miracle than rolling away the stone. Right where we live and breathe and work and play, it brings Him pleasure to display the Resurrection of His Son for His glory and for our good!

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“He is not here; He is risen!” (Luke 24:6)

1. What would you have been thinking if you were walking with the women on that early Easter morning? What would have been your concerns? Would you have given thought to the stone?

2. How now? Where do you need God to roll away the stone in your life?

3. What would it look like not only for the stone to be removed, but for the Resurrection to be displayed in that situation?

Gobsmacked by God’s Guarantees

When your fuzzy mind announces, “What a fantastic new day!” and cynical circumstances counter, “Really?”, one needs a plan.

So, on the wall near my bed — using green frog tape — I posted a visual aid. Three verses on this piece of paper set a terrific tone and perspective for any upcoming opportunities, appointments, expectations, travels, challenges, plans, responsibilities, disappointments, and delights.

God’s Guarantees

“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)

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, will have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJ)

Meditating on these, my mind pivots. I am gobsmacked to realize that God guarantees I am already fully equipped with supernatural resources. Thank You, Sweet Jesus. Yes indeed, this IS a fantastic new day.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)

What are your thoughts? Perhaps you think the verses were meant for someone else but not for you. Yet what if they are for you?

Which verse resonates the most with you in your present circumstances? Why?

How would the faith decision to take God at His Word make a difference in your day?

Shout For Joy

As I turned the blinds on this winter’s morning, a glorious, breathtaking kaleidoscope of color shouted back at me. Without hesitating, I uttered the verse that stays close at hand for such dramatic moments as these:

“Thou dost make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.” (Psalm 65:8 NASB)

Oh, how I love this verse! Its impact reaches way back to the days of the Jesus Revolution that took place on our university campus in the 1970’s. Never will I forget the moment I looked out the window of my dorm and beheld with fresh eyes God’s glorious ball of fire. The Holy Spirit used the Living Word to orchestrate a memorable experience for this neophyte in the faith: “Thou dost make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.” Wow.

The verse traveled with me across oceans, across continents, across time zones, and across decades. In Siberia, in Croatia, in Poland, in Africa, in Asia, and even in America, the Message remained as steadfast and consistent as its Author, “Thou dost make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.”

Like a declaration and a doxology all wrapped in one, these twelve words pack a profound theology. This brilliant, trumpet-like statement about God declares His power, His presence, His love for beauty, and His canopy over all the earth. Simultaneously, this verse is a sanctified whisper to remind me of His canopy over my day, even over my entire life. “Thou dost make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.”

But pause to consider, one day there will come a final bright and cloudless morning when the heavens part and He descends. So, “Until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,” join the chours, throw back the sash, and celebrate like you mean it! “Thou dost make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.”

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)

Psalm 19

Malachi 4:2

2 Peter 1:19

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, and the glory of His resurrection share; When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. (James Milton Black, 1893)