“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 2:13 ESV)

Easter is just about here again and we are reminded about Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection. The crucifixion of Christ is recorded in all four gospels: Matthew 27:33-44; Mark 15:22-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:17-30.

No one has experienced more pain and suffering than Jesus did on the day He went to the cross!

The Bible said Jesus was beaten so severely you could barely recognize that He was human. (Isa. 52:14).

Psalm 22:14–18 (NIV) details some of the suffering of the Messiah

“I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;  I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”

Why did He do it?

The  Bible said he endured all this because he was able to look ahead to the joy it would bring Him. (Heb. 12:2). He became the redeemer of mankind! It was through the cross that the Son of God triumphed over Satan, sin, and death. “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” (John 12:31; Col. 2:15)

Now, because of what He did for us, we have much joy to look forward to!

Because we have been redeemed, we have an amazing future to look forward to! We will eventually get to experience “new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 2:13).  Therefore, if you are dealing with a few present difficulties, rejoice! The best is yet to come!

 “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8 ESV)

God blesses and multiplies!

•  An Old man’s staff – Ex. 4:2 – God spoke to Moses and told him He was going to use him to deliver the Hebrew children out of the bondage of Pharaoh. But, Moses was no longer a young man, he’s now 80, full of fears and doubts, and then he asked God a question, “Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” (Ex. 4:1-3 NIV). Then, God continued to use the staff in Moses’ hand to do mighty things, such as to part the Red Sea and to receive water from a large rock.

•  A little boy’s lunch – Mark 6:41. Jesus told his disciples to feed a large crowd of people who were tired and hungry. But they told him they didn't have the means to do it. He then asked them to tell Him what they did have. They told Him there was a boy among them who had brought a lunch with five small loaves of bread and two fish. “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.” From the small lunch several thousand men, women and children were fed, and there were even left overs!

• A widow woman’s last flour and oil – 1 Kings 17:16. There was draught in the land and people were starving. A window woman was down to her last bit of flour and oil and was preparing her last meal for herself and young son. Then Elijah spoke, “Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” “She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:10-17 NIV). The little bit of food that she had never ran out out and was in keeping with the Word of God!

What do you have in your hands for God to bless you with?

“So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” (Ex. 4:2 NIV)

God is able to increase and use even the little things He has already placed in your hands if you allow Him to. In each instance above, faith had to come into play. Moses had to use his staff by faith, the little boy had to give away his lunch by faith, and the widow woman had to use her last food ingredients to prepare a meal for Elijah by faith. And in each instance, God supplied their needs above and beyond what looked humanly possible.

God strengthens what you have

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your lap. For with the same measure that you measure it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38 NKJV)

 “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 2:6-7 NKJV)

Every word within a verse of Scripture is important, Jesus said so!

“Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matt. 4:4 NIV)

You can learn a lot about a verse of scripture by looking at the individual words used to make up the verse.

Some of the Words within today's verse defined

• Received: grasped, seized, taken to oneself. 

• Christ: The anointed One, Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, Jesus.

• Lord: Master, Ruler, Leader, Sovereign King, Prince.

• Walk: a continued mode of conduct or behavior.

• Rooted: to have taken root, firmly planted, established.

• Built up: strengthened, augmented.

• Established: Accepted, fixed, set.

• Faith:Trust, belief, confidence, conviction.

• Taught: enlightened, informed, schooled, educated.

• Abounding: very plentiful, abundant.

• Thanksgiving: the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits and favors.

Now, go back and read the verse at the top again while thinking of the individual word definitions as you read. Doing this will help you meditate on the deeper meanings within the verse and will even bless you!

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3 NASB)

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17 NKJV)

A ferryman had the word “faith” painted on one oar and the word “work” on the other. He was asked the reason he did this, and he replied by showing rather than by words. He laid the oar that had “work” painted on it in the bottom of the skiff, took the oar that had “faith” on it, and with both hands pulled with all his strength, and the boat went round and round in a circle. Then he placed "faith" oar in the bottom of the skiff and took up "work" oar with both hands, with the same result, the boat just went in a circle rather than going straight forward. Then he took the "faith" oar in one hand, and the "work" oar in the other, and pulled with both hands together, and the skiff moved straight ahead and forward where he needed it to go. 

It takes both faith and works in the Christian life

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14-17 ESV)

“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18 ESV

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” (Psalms 92:12-14 ESV)

Surprising and unexpected!

I heard a camp director give a talk about the kind of themed camps he puts on these days. No longer are camps just for kids but they are now for families, singles, men, women, and even for older people. They try to do something surprising and unexpected for every camp they do utilizing fun themes. This process has sometimes proven to be surprising and educational.

Back in time

Recently he did a camp for older folks and decided to spice things up by taking them "20 years back in time." When people showed up to camp they were surprised to find doctors there giving physical examinations as a part of the registration process. Physicians weighed people, gave them eye examinations, took their blood pressures, tested their reflexes, and measured their attention spans. And then declared them to be 20 years younger. All in the spirit of fun as a part of the “Back 20 Years In Time” theme. They gave everyone name tags and wrote their ages next to their names, only they reduced the ages on the tags by 20 years! If the person was age 70 they wrote age 50 on their name tag. Then they told everybody there were two rules for the two week long camp. First, they were to behave like the age written on their tags, and secondly, they were to treat others like the age written on their tags.

Here’s what happened

Over the next few days, people who had come with canes stopped using them and even stopped limping! People walked straighter, acted more energetic and completely stopped talking about illnesses and pains. 

The entire group stopped behaving like old people!

On the last day of the camp the doctors gave everyone followup physicals and found that most people had improved mentally and physically, many dramatically. Even their attention spans, reflexes, and eyesight had improved, much to the amazement of those administering the tests! Doctors scratched their heads and couldn't explain the remarkable transformation other than to say, “When people began to think of themselves as 20 years younger, that profoundly affected how they behaved and then how they felt; the process somehow had actually transformed them!” Amazing!

Changing the way you think is powerful!

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7 NKJV)

“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isa. 40:29 ESV)

“Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.” (Eccl. 7:10 ESV)

“Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.” (Deut. 34:7 ESV)

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:16 ESV)

 "But David found strength in the Lord his God.” (1 Sam. 30:6b NIV)

Have you ever been discouraged?

I know I have, many times over the years! I have lost jobs, been involved in accidents, lost loved ones, and had business losses and setbacks. The fact is, life can have many negative twists and turns. Bad stuff just happens sometimes and you must remain strong and weather them through with God’s abundant help.

David’s terrible day

In the Bible there is the story of David and what was a disastrous day for him. While he and his men were away, the enemy attacked his camp, set everything on fire and robbed them of everything they had, including their wives and children. His men wept bitterly, blamed him for what had happened and were talking about stoning him. He was greatly distraught with no one to turn accept to the Lord alone, which he did.

David finds strength in the Lord his God!

“When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” (2 Sam. 30:3-6 NIV)

While in prayer, he became encouraged again and God gave him a plan to get everything back, plus more!  So, he followed God’s directions, pursued the enemy, found them, fought them, won the battle, got everything back and more, without suffering a single casualty!

“David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.  Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, ‘This is David’s plunder’”. (2 Sam. 30:18-20 NIV)

Encourage yourself in the Lord!

• God has wonderful plans ahead for you. "'For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jer. 29:11 NLT)
• There’s joy in seeking Him! “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8 NLT)
• Hope and praise to God will encourage you! “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11 NLT)
• You are safe when you run to the LORD! “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Prov. 18:10 NIV)
• God will renew your strength when you trust in Him! “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31. NLT)

 “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”Luke 22:32 KJV)

We serve a giving God!

 “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.” (Gen. 9:3 ESV)

Every good and perfect gift comes from God!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)

God values you!

“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” (Luke 12:24 ESV)

Grace is a gift to you from God

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:8-10 ESV)

The Holy Spirit is God's gift sent to teach and help you

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV)

He gives to you when you ask Him

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11 ESV)

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33 KJV)

Therefore, because He has given so much to you …

 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)

 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV)

Someone said, “Whether you think you can or can't do something, you are right!” The hardest thing about most jobs is to get started. You must set your mind to it and then you can move forward from there with some action. Wishful thinking alone won’t do it. You must be sober minded and determined.

The fat toad

I heard a story about a fat toad who had somehow gotten himself stuck in a wagon wheel rut on a dirt road. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't pull himself loose. A friend finally came along and tried to help him get out and failed. The toad was just wedged in too tightly. So, his friend finally gave up and sadly left him to his fate. The next day, however, his friend was surprised and delighted to see the toad hopping along, obviously free from the terrible rut, and said, “I thought you couldn't get out of that deep rut?”  The toad replied, “I couldn’t get out!  But then, I saw a big wagon coming along, and I had to get out!”

You can do much with God’s strength!

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

Destroy all negative arguments! 

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5 ESV)

The Spirit gives life! 

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John. 6:63 ESV)

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13 NIV)

We live in a world where bad things sometimes happen to good people

Notice that the above verse says, “when the day of evil comes”, it doesn't say, “if the day of evil comes”, because everybody will have days from time to time when evil things happen. It may be painful, confusing and frustrating, but the good news is you don't have to fall apart like a two-dollar suitcase when evil stuff comes your way. The answer given in this verse is to “put on the full armor of God.” And to “stand your ground.” We are told to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10 NIV). The important thing to remember is that we don't fight evil battles alone. We remain strong when we don't depend on our own strength, but stand our ground in the Lord, trusting in His mighty power. We do that by utilizing the full armor of God that He has provided.

The full armor of God

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Eph. 6:10-18 NIV)