Tag Archives: Christianity

Resurrection Power

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“And behold, there was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door where Jesus laid. His countenance was like lightening and His raiment was as white as snow. And for fear of Him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goes before you into Galilee, there shall ye see Him.” Matt 28:1-7

The death, burial and resurrection is the most important declaration of faith we can pronounce in our hearts and in the world. Jesus is alive and lives within us. As another Easter passes away, we should keep the remembrance of Jesus’s sacrifice with us daily.

We should walk with the authority that Jesus has given us. We have the same resurrection power that Jesus has because He lives within each believer. Time passes, weather shifts, people change, yet there is one man who walked the earth over 2000 years ago who was crowned with thorns, falsely accused and sentenced to death. At one moment, the crowd was raving over him and the next minute, they yelled, “Crucify Him!” He was mocked and beaten while He stumbled carrying a wooden cross. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we our healed.” Isaiah 52:5

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 52:7

He is a man who does not change. His love remains the same. No matter what we’ve done we can ask for forgiveness. It’s a special, unconditional love that the human mind cannot comprehend. It is a deep-rooted love that allowed Christ to take the penalty for our sins. He did not come to condemn the world, but to redeem the world. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever shall believe in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

So, as we go about our week, let’s carry Easter in our hearts and minds daily and share Jesus’s story with a lost and desperate world.

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I’m with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen Matt 28:19-20

Lost and Found

Posted on by yolandaberry
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 Many years ago, I went shopping with a close friend with her two-year old child. As we      casually picked out outfits, we watched her daughter dash between the racks of clothing  playing peep- a- boo. When we decided what to purchase, we got in line.

However, we could  not locate her daughter. She was suddenly missing when we called her name. We frantically  rushed through the store asking people if they had seen a small child describing her in  extreme detail. With alarm, no one had seen her. They sent out an announcement over the  intercom as we raced through the aisles searching for the child.

In a panic, my friend headed towards the courtyard inside the mall where she passed the security desk where she found her child sitting on top of the desk with a security officer gently holding her. It was the most rewarding and gratifying moment ending in a sigh of relief.

It definitely does not feel good to get lost. I can remember several times being lost when I was driving to a new location. As I desperately searched to find the right direction, I usually became extremely panicked to make it to my destination. Then, finally I would find my way which provided me with comfort. Of course, this experience was long before cell phones and GPS systems!

When you’re lost spiritually, you may not even be aware. There is no warning or immediate danger involved. You may travel through life freely taking no precautions or direction in life.

You don’t have any fear about salvation or eternal life. Possibly, you may simply be at a crossroad in the midst of confusion about what you believe. No matter what road you travel, the Lord’s grace and mercy will find exactly where you are if your heart is open to receive His love. God’s love is profound.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus) that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-1

This is the foundation and the basic substance of truth found in the Word of God. Once you start to follow your spiritual GPS (God’s Power Saves) which is directed by the Holy Spirit, you will find comfort and security.

You will find out the empty, lonely place where you are constantly searching to fill a void in your life does not sustain peace or satisfaction.

When you begin to fill the space with such things as alcohol, drugs, sex, money, power, material things and other feel-good possessions and remedies, you begin to realize that it only last for a moment before you begin to search and search and search for something else that satisfies and fills the void. Eventually, you find out that you spent a lifetime seeking something that does not exist or that you cannot find.

When you put your faith in Jesus, you begin to receive a wholeness that does not compare to worldly expectations. Seeking a relationship with Jesus consists of daily prayer (simply communicating or having a conversation with Him), worship and praise, reading the Gospel and surrounding yourself with other believers and finding a Bible-based church. You will begin to transform yourself and your life. However, it’s a gradual process and it’s not done in your own power. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” Zech 4:6

The growth process is never-ending with no destination in sight. It is an exciting journey with lots of surprises along the way. Living a Christian life, is by no means easy. You will still face obstacles, challenges and problems, but you will not have to carry the burdens and pressures of life on your shoulders.

When you walk by faith, you are “Trusting the evidence of things hoped for but the evidence of things unseen.” Heb 11:1 and Romans 8:24

This is the same faith you will use when you acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and Savior who has died and resurrected for your sins. You must come to Him by faith.

What makes the relationship so special? Each person will never have the same exact experience. You are a designed original and the Lord desires to have an intimate relationship with you because He created you for His pleasure. It’s just like the lost child who wandered through the mall.

Our Father welcomes you into His loving arms when He finds one of His lost children and desires to build a relationship that will be everlasting. How can you miss out on that opportunity?

Reference:

“And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another comforter: that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him: for He dwells with you, and shall be with you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:4

“But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” 2 Corth 4:3

Light of the World

Posted on by yolandaberry
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As we enter the Christmas season, it’s important for us to shine the light of Christ into a dark and hurting world.  This is the most meaningful time of the year besides Resurrection Day or Easter which is rooted in the Christian tradition.

“God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten  Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish  but have everlasting life.” John 3-16.

God gave out of love for us. Unfortunately, the whole idea of the meaning of Christmas is being lost in commercialism. It’s now called a “holiday” rooted in expectation of “How much can I get?” “This is not what I wanted!” “Why didn’t I get that?” “I wish I could get that!” It’s the joyous events of running people over in the parking lot to get the latest tech toy, stressing out over bills that you have to pay in the New Year along with a host of other pressures that come along with the Christmas season.

Unfortunately this is an “I” generation which has caused a society full of demands, selfishness and greed.  When was the last time you thought about Jesus? Do you know who He is? What He did when He came to this earth? The message is very simple. Love. That’s it. He provided love, demonstrated love and gave hope. Everything He represented was about love in a world that could not and still not understand or comprehend the capacity of His love.

It’s very hard to walk in love in you don’t know Him or have a relationship with Him. The natural man does not understand spiritual things because it’s foolishness to him.

Those of us who do have a relationship with Jesus have a responsibility to demonstrate God’s love to others. “The spirit of the Lord has anointed us to preach the gospel.” Isaiah 61:1. We were anointed and called for His purpose as a chosen vessel.  This is not only to share His love in this season but it should be carried out 365 days out of the year. Emmanuel which means, “God is with us” and who also lives in us, so we should reflect His character at all times.

Let’s not get wrapped up in commercialism or depression because we over consume or can’t purchase or get what we desire. This is a time to reflect on the love that Jesus provided and sacrificed for us and in return we should share the same love of Christ with family, friends, co-workers, classmates and strangers.

The best gift you can give is your time to someone who is lonely, sick or in need. Let’s spend more time listening rather than shopping. Also, take some time out for solitude. Turn off the TV, computers, cell phones, Xbox, tablets, kindles, ipads, iphones, ipods, etc…You can not hear from God with so much noise and distraction around you. Spend some time reading the Bible to learn and understand the character of God and find a church that you are comfortable with that is spirit-filled.

If this is new to you, ask the Lord to open your heart and come into your life, forgive your past sins and make you new. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior.  The Holy Spirit will begin to teach you all things so ask Him to lead you to the truth and to find a church where you can grow in Christ. Transformation is a process so don’t expect a change instantly. The caterpillar eventually becomes a butterfly.

As we reflect on the real celebration of Christmas, let us remember Christ in a desperately unsatisfied, lost world.

Jesus stated, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follow me will not walk in darkness,but will have the light of life. John 8:12