5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Mark 16:5-7
In celebration of the Resurrection, let us rest in the hope and promises of our Lord. From Calvary to the Tomb, Jesus overcame death, burial and the grave. We carry the blessed hope while Jesus carried the heavy weight of the world’s sin in exchange of His gift of forgiveness, grace and mercy. Let us live with great expectation of His return not as an escape from this world, but as the fulfillment of prophecy. Let us not place our faith in men, but in God our everlasting hope. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit which leads us in our daily lives.
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth.”
Matt 28:18
Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given to you, do this in the remembrance of me.”
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of me. Matt 26:26-28
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
As the world celebrates bunnies, colored easter eggs and Easter baskets full of candy. We will worship the Lord our Savior. For Easter is symbolic of a pagan holiday known as Ishtar and pronounced as Easter. It was the original holiday celebrated by Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of fertility and sex. Her symbol was known for eggs and bunnies.
Jesus has warned us to come out and be separate from the world. Our faith walk may not be easy, but God is faithful and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb 11:6
May the revelation of His love rest with you as you reflect on every promise that has been given to you by the Word of God.
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matt 26:39
The amount of anxiety, fear, anguish and torment that Jesus felt in the wait of His betrayal and death was exceedingly traumatic. He had no comfort or support to console Him in His time of desperation. The weight of despair was heavy. The silence was loud and echoed in the stillness of the night.
Jesus prayed three times repeating the same prayer to the Lord while the disciples slept. The emotional and psychological trauma, agony and pain was excruciating. From mental exhaustion to physical brutality on His way to Calvary, He suffered and carried the weight of the Cross for prophecy to be fulfilled. He was slandered, mocked and betrayed by sinful men. They sought false testimony against Him due to envy. Matt 27:17-18. They exchanged His justice and Holiness for thirty pieces of silver.
“Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel,and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.“ Matt 27:9-10
Judas, the betrayer, under complete guilt and remorse returned the “blood money” to the chief priests and elders and hung himself.
The people pressured Pilate to release Barabas. The people cheered upon the release of the notorious prisoner. Matt 27:15-17
Much like today, evil is considered good and good is evil. The twisted minds and heart of men is exceedingly wicked. The crowd will easily follow the mass in deception and false accusation.
Place of Skull
In Golgatha, also known as, “The Place of Skull.” Jesus was crucified among two robbers, one on the right and one on the left. Matt 27:38. He was mocked continuously as he suffered on the Cross. On the nineth hour, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Again, Jesus was misunderstood as they believed He was calling on Elijah. Jesus cried out one last time with a loud voice and yielded up His Spirit. His garments were divided among the soldiers. The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the earth quaked and the rock was split. When the centurion and those with Him was guarding Jesus saw the earthquake, they feared greatly saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Matt 27:45-56
Similar to the likes of men today, we need evidence or proof to believe and trust in Jesus. Oftentimes, it’s too late. Jesus died for your sins so that you will be saved. Don’t let time pass you by without claiming the precious Blood who sacrificed His life for you. Repent for your sins and carry your cross in this life. This life is temporary, but salvation is eternal.
Salvation Prayer
If you have not received Christ as your Savior and you want to ensure that you receive the gift of salvation, please say this prayer out loud:
“Lord, Jesus, I acknowledge you as my Lord and Savior. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and was raised from the dead. Forgive me for my sins, poor choices, and mistakes. Come into my heart and renew my mind. Mold and shape me the way you want me to be. I open my heart to receive the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, comfort and protect me. Release me from all evil and temptation. Thank you for restoring my life. I glorify your name Jesus, who is above all names. From this day forth, I live to worship you. I praise you and rejoice to be a part of your heavenly family. Help me to walk and lead as an example of Christ. In Jesus Name. Amen.”
Welcome to the family of Christ. He loves you, dearly. Although you may not feel any different after saying this prayer. Just know that Jesus has heard your prayer and He lives in your heart. You have been cleansed from all of your past sin nature. There is no guilt or condemnation in Christ Jesus. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
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Valentine’s Day often highlights romance: flowers, gifts, candlelit dinners, and carefully curated moments, but scripture presents a deeper, more transformative understanding of love. The Bible does not describe love as fleeting emotion. It describes love as the very true nature of God.
“God is love.” 1 John 4:8
This means love is not merely something God does. It is who He is.
Love Begins with God
We love because He first loved us 1 John 4:19. Before we attempt to love a spouse, a friend, or even lead with integrity in business, we must first receive God’s love. His love is unwavering, unconditional, and faithful.
What Love Actually Looks Like
1 Corinthians 13 gives us the blueprint: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.
Notice that love is described through action and character, not emotion.
The Cross: The Greatest Love Story
Jesus is the ultimate example of love. He came to bear our sins upon the Cross and in exchange we receive salvation and eternal life. The only way to God is through Jesus. His name carries power and authority. There is no other name that carries love, forgiveness, healing and peace. His grace and mercy in new every morning.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13
Due to the pressures in the world, it’s challenging to override the stress that’s hitting families on all levels. The overall U.S. divorce rate is about 2.3–2.4 divorces per 1,000 people annually (2023 provisional data from CDC/NCHS). That translates to roughly 670,000+ divorces per year. Divorce rates have declined steadily over recent decades, reaching the lowest levels in about 50 years compared with the early 2000s and 1980s. (data based on Chat GPT)
Love in Every Season
The cross is the ultimate demonstration of sacrificial love. It reminds us that love gives, even when it costs.
Whether single, married, waiting, rebuilding, or content, your identity is not defined by your relationship status. You are already loved completely by God.
Valentine’s Day is not just about romance; it’s about reflecting the love we have first received.
Practical Ways to Reflect God’s Love
Offer forgiveness
Extend grace
Serve quietly
Encourage intentionally
Choose patience over pride
When our love mirrors heaven, it shifts the environment in our homes, our leadership, and our influence to impact the world.
May Valentine’s Day be a reminder of God’s love and may your love be more than a sentiment or an emotion. Let your life be a reflection of the Bible lived out loud daily.
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“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Romans 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
John 15:9
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Deut 6:4-5
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Eph 4:2
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Psalm 33:4-5
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Eph 5:2-6
2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a]6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
1 Corth 13:6-7
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
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