Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!


I love Easter!
The joyous music, the message of our hope in Christ and the power of the resurrection to overcome death!   

As I have pondered and reflected on the cross and resurrection this Easter weekend I find myself praying....

 Lord teach me how to live 
the Resurrected Life. 
Help me to be faithful to acknowledge Christ’s rule
 and reign in my everyday life.



He will give you through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life.   2 Peter 1:3 - TLB


     The power of the resurrected life was made possible through the cross. Only in Christ’s surrender to the cross was the Resurrection power displayed. Only when we choose to surrender to the cross of Christ- to His love, forgiveness, and grace - do we obtain the power of the resurrected life.

      In the cross we receive full payment for the debt of our sins. Jesus suffered for my sin and for yours. In the cross we are offered the full redeeming work of Christ for our lives. 

                                       .......Jesus said, "It is finished." John 19:30 NIV 

The finished work of Christ on the cross made it possible for you and me to live as sons and daughters of the living, reigning King of Kings!

                                        ......Because I live, you also will live. John 14:19 NIV


Look at what the resurrection dimension means for our lives. Through the resurrection we not only have the hope of eternal life in glory with Jesus forever as our Savior, but we have the the promise of Resurrected life now, today!
     The resurrected Christ has made available to us not only forgiveness in life but the fullness of life.  

       Life that is abundant. 
                      Life that restores. 
                                   Life that enriches.
                                                Life that is full of love, grace and hope. 
                                                                    Life that is powerful, dynamic, victorious. 
                                                                                           Life that has purpose and meaning.
                                                                                                                                    Life that is eternal!
                                   
     All made possible now through the finished work of Christ on the Cross, 
                                                 His Resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit living within us.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead 
will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.   Romans 8:11 NIV

So why do we so often live defeated?
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you and in me as believers!

I love the way Jack Hayford states it in His book Glorious Morning which I often reread at Easter.

“The very fact of His life is verification that death is a vanquished foe. And in giving His life to us He provides a force in our lives to dominate death in all of its manifestations.

•  How many live life in a casket of circumstances?
• How many tread through life up a gravelike rut?
• How many are tangled in the graveclothes of past experiences or habit?
  

Hear this! To you Christ comes and says, “Fear not! The end of that which has come upon you is near at hand! 
What you feared would never change is shortly to be overthrown forever!”

Jesus Christ broke the power of death to rule over us -
                                                          over our past, our present circumstances, our fears.

 Are you listening to the lies of death 
or the voice of victory in Jesus that says - 
I have called you to this......, 
I will bring you through whatever trial 
you are facing.... I have plans for you..... 
plans of hope and a future!!! Ephesian 1:18

Do we truly live like that?  

That is the message and the hope of Easter.
 It’s hope in the power of the cross that
 overcame death.
It’s hope in the resurrected life of Jesus. 
It’s hope that He rules and reigns over all. 

Each day we face a choice. 
How will we choose to live this day? 

Will we choose victory that overcomes
 or wallow in defeat?

The Worthy Lamb of God paid the price
 for your sin that you might have the hope 
of victorious living in Him! 

Will you choose to surrender to the power 
of the cross and resurrected life? 


I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.    Galatians 2:20

When I need to be reminded of where my hope is found for living the resurrected life I often sing the song below.
Won't you take a moment and sing along with this wonderful arrangement of a glorious contemporary hymn - In Christ Alone. I love this arrangement because it reflects the Irish roots of the composer Keith Getty. 

In Christ alone,
my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength,
my song;
This Cornerstone, 
this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest
drought and storm.

What heights of love,
What depths of peace,
When fears are stilled,
When strivings cease!
My Comforter, 
my All in All,
Here in the love
 of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! 
who took on flesh
Fulness of God 
in helpless babe!
                                                                         This gift of love and righteousness
                                                                         Scorned by the ones he came to save:
                                                                         Till on that cross as Jesus died,
                                                                         The wrath of God was satisfied -
                                                                         For every sin on Him was laid;
                                                                         Here in the death of Christ I live.

                                                                                                                      There in the ground
His body lay
Light of the world 
by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth 
in glorious Day
Up from the grave
he rose again!

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost 
its grip on me,




                    For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

                                                     No guilt in life, no fear in death,
                                                     This is the power of Christ in me;
                                                     From life's first cry to final breath.
                                                     Jesus commands my destiny.

                                                     No power of hell, no scheme of man,
                                                    Can ever pluck me from His hand;
                                                    Till He returns or calls me home,
                                                    Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

( by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty)
 In Christ Alone -New Hymns of Prayer and Worship

May God use this hymn stir our faith and help us rest in God our protector;  
                              for our lives are unshakable when we entrust them into the hands 
                                                                          of the Holy, Resurrected, Ascended, King of Kings!               

      Our hope is found in Christ Alone!

Father, I praise you as the Resurrected Lord of my life!
 I worship You and choose to stand in the power of Your life within me. Thank you for the sacrifice of Your Son on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins. Thank you for Your triumph over death and the grave.  I praise You as the Risen Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

Father of glory, help me live my life in surrender to Your authority and the power of Your Holy Spirit within me. Thank you that I am no longer captive to fear, doubt, anxiety, discouragement, my past or present circumstances. Thank You for the hope of living a life of victory through the life of Your Risen Son.

 I want my life to count as a display of Your splendor and greatness. Teach me what it means to live my life as a reflection of Your character and glory in this desperate world. By Your grace, Father help me live the resurrection life. May the greatest passion of my heart always be Jesus. May my life always proclaim the glorious name of my Risen Savior, Jesus Christ! 

                                                         Hallelujah, holy, holy
                                                        God Almighty, the great I AM
                                                        Who is worthy, none beside Thee
                                                        God Almighty, the great I AM  
                                                                          Amen

       May you experience the miracle, power and grace of the Resurrected Life of Jesus
       in the days ahead!

                                                   Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!

In the powerful name of our Risen Lord and Savior,
Kathy

The picture to the left is of shadows that dance in the corner of my living room wall many mornings as I light a candle and curl up onto the sofa to sip coffee.  It's 5:30 am; too early and dark to sit on the porch! The house is quiet...calm...it's my time to visit with my Savior.  This is my morning ritual when I'm up early.  I first noticed the shadows about a month ago.  If you look closely, you will see the cross on the right and the shadow of the lamp on the left.  It was then that God whispered into my ear.  "See the cross?  I suffered there for you!  My hands and feet were nailed to a cross."  "Look closer at the shadows," He said.  "Do you see the challis?" (the shadow of the lamp)  "It is much bigger, Lord" I said.  "Why do you want me to notice that it is larger than the cross?  What do you want to show me?"  Then my spiritual eyes and heart was opened to think and go deeper!  Jesus prayed in the Garden that this cup would pass from Him, although not His will be done but the Father's.  Jesus, in the upper room, broke the bread and shared the wine.  Take, eat, this is my body given for you.  Take, drink, this is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this in remembrance of me!  It wasn't the cross or His suffering that saved me (though that played a huge part), it was His blood and His sacrificial death - the cup!  God wanted to get my attention.  "Think about all that I sacrificed" He seemed to say.  

I've been preparing to share a different topic this week, but the Holy Spirit led me to change it Wednesday night!  I've had the cross on my mind for weeks now, and about the Savior's love.  Then I heard another whisper from Him, "Go deeper!...I want to show you more!"  So what you are about to read is what He has been showing me.  Really, it's simple and perhaps you have already had many of these thoughts and insights.  I had not thought about the sacrifice of Jesus, God's only Son in this way.  It was a paradigm shift for me!  I hope it is fresh and new for you.  Stop and take a moment to pray before you read any further.  Ask Him to speak to your heart, see through a Holy lens, and go deeper still...with Him.

I closed my eyes and imagined Jesus, my Lord, God's only begotten Son, on the old rugged cross. I began to see Him from head to toe, front to back, His middle, side to side, inside and out. Then, deeper; His dignity, His will, His emotions, His appearance, and His clothes.  
Head, Will, and Authority:
On His head was a crown of thorns.  We know according to scripture that the crown of thorns was a mockery from the soldiers (Matt. 27: 27-32).  Jesus had submitted and turned Himself over to earthly authority of government and to the will of His Father in heaven.  He sacrificed His head, and His will (Matt. 26:42).  In comparison, we must die daily, also sacrificing and submitting our head and mind to God.  "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways" and "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..." James1:8, 5  How is your thought life? Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. (Phil.4:8)  We also should submit to authority 1 Peter 2:13 "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority..."  But more importantly, to God (James 4:7)
Hands:
I then thought about His hands that were nailed; sacrificed.  Both the right hand and the left hand.  He used those hands to serve.  He washed the feet of the disciples.  He cooked on the beach.  He lifted Peter up.  He touched eyes and ears, and healed with His hands.  He served bread, wine, and fish.  I imagine Him helping Zacchaeus out of the tree, lifting the chin as she washes His feet with perfume, knocking on his friends door and putting a small child on His knee.  All acts of service!  From the right hand to the left hand and from the east to the west, our hands should also serve one another. (Gal. 5:13)  "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." (Ecc. 9:12a)
Feet:
I thought of His feet and where they had traveled.  They walked with the 2 on the road to Emmaus, they walked on water, climbed into a boat, down a dusty and rocky road, they were washed by one who loved him greatly, they spent 40 days walking in the desert, they stood teaching in the temple, and lastly, they took that weary walk up the hill to Galgotha.  Jesus sacrificed His feet to perform His Father's will.  Think on the paths that you walk.  Do you sacrifice your steps by walking in the Spirit?  (Gal 5:16)  How beautiful are the feet of them that bring good news (Rom. 10:15).  Do you go out of the way to help a brother or sister in need?  Sacrifice your feet in service to the Lord.
Side:
The soldier pierced Jesus' side.  He was sacrificed from the bloody, matted hair on the top of His head to the bottom of His feet.  Then, His side, the very middle of his frame.  I think of it as the very center or the depth of who He was, all around the vital organs; close to His heart, His lungs and taking his very breath.  Do we give our all, our very being?  Jesus did!  For Me to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Phil. 1:21)
Back and shoulders:
Jesus was scourged.  Beaten and whipped. His back was covered with blood and his muscles exposed. By his stripes we are healed.  His flesh was ripped and torn. Yet, He carried the heavy burden of the cross.  Are we willing to sacrifice our back and shoulders to help carry someones cross or burden?  (Gal. 6:2)  Be a friend to someone.
Appearance:
Jesus sacrificed His whole body, including His appearance.  His face was spat upon.  His brow was bruised and bleeding.  How often we have let our appearance get in the way or our identity.  It's called pride.  Will you sacrifice it for the cause of Christ?
Clothes:
Even His clothes were taken.  Along with His dignity.  (Matt. 27:35) Give what you have (Luke 6:38 Matt. 5:40)
Emotions:
Jesus even sacrificed His emotions.  Can you imagine watching your family go through such grief. (Jn. 19:26,27)
What about the emotions He had as the Father turned His Face away?  Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice by taking on the sin of man and paying the penalty for us.  In Jn.19:28 we read, "After this Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst."  I can't help but think that now he thirsted not only for drink, but for the Living Water that He freely gave.

Jesus Christ sacrificed everything!  From within and out.  Why?  Because of His deep love for us.  For you.  For me.  Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. Heb. 9:22  Prophecy was fulfilled, payment was made, and now the free gift of eternal life is yours by receiving God's son, the Savior and Lover of your soul. 

          " Love so amazing, 
                        so divine, demands my soul, 
                                         my life, my all!"    ~ I. Watts

How deep is the Father's love for us!  Won't you go deeper still...with Him?  Play the recording below.  Listen closely to the words and let the Holy Spirit minister to your soul.  Then read the scripture.  It will help you know how to live a   sacrificial life.  One that is pleasing to God.

"Along the way, God speaks. In the peak experiences of our lives.  In the valleys. On the plateaus. Even in the wilderness, where all traces of Him seem to have vanished. And who knows but that what we hear along the way may be just the word we need at that particular juncture of our spiritual journey. To walk us through some fearful valley to a place of pasture. To lead us out of some wilderness so we can lie down by still waters. 
He has much to say, not only from the Scriptures but from the circumstances of our everyday lives. 
However prosaic the pages of our lives may seem at first reading, within the lines or in between the lines God may be speaking. Every book we read, every movie we see, every person we talk with, every song we listen to, every moment in our lives, in fact, should be subjects for reflection and could be ways through which God is speaking."                      --Ken Gire, Windows of the Soul

      A few weeks ago my family went to see our youngest daughter, Mary Elizabeth, play the leading role of Lizzy in a wonderful musical “110 in the Shade” at Oklahoma City University. It was a great weekend of family, much laughter and “happy” tears.  It was a joyous celebration of dreams coming true as three generations gathered to watch the youngest soar and shine in her gifts. It was a weekend of enjoying the power of theater and the beauty of music that stirs the soul. 

       In this story which takes place during a drought in the west there are many characters who develop the plot, whose stories we can identify with. 
 - A young woman, Lizzy, who doesn’t fit the mold of the women of her day, who must learn to embrace her uniqueness, strength of character, and simple dreams.  In the process she ultimately overcomes her fears and sees herself as beautiful and lovable.
- A somewhat dysfunctional family that really does love each other despite their issues.
- A critical older brother who’s strong, controlling personality causes the younger brother and Lizzie to define themselves by his judgements rather than who they truly are.
- A father who loves unconditionally.
- A sheriff betrayed in marriage who is afraid to open up his heart to love again.
- A dreamer “The Rainmaker” who despite his faults somehow sees the capabilities of others beyond what they can see themselves and opens their eyes to new possibilities and hope. 

     This production was what the university called a “spotlight” production meaning no budget was given for sets or costumes. I was struck that while that always enhances a theatrical experience, somehow this setting made the story and music have to stand on it’s own. The messages have stayed with me. 

      We all visit the theater, whether it is a movie, a play, or concert for different reasons. For some it is an escape, for some an appreciation of the art itself, for others it is the story that draws them and stays with them. Certainly there are expressions in the artistic world that we need to turn our eyes and ears from because they draw us away from truth rather than toward it or even bring offense to God. I have walked out of more than one movie in my life. I have learned though that often if I will choose to look deeply the Lord may use the stories to quicken my conscience or give me a deeper glimpse into my own heart or the heart of someone I love. Sometimes they will even give us a window into the Father’s heart for us.

     In my own life and in my ministry to women, I have found that embracing the uniqueness of who God created us to be is one of our greatest battles.  We seem to be continually comparing ourselves to others, striving to be someone we were never intended to be. 
       For years as a young woman I struggled in many ways like Lizzy. I was a more serious type, honest in a way that I said exactly what I thought which didn’t always go over well. In contrast to Lizzy who was always told she was just plain, people told me I was beautiful. My naturally shy personality struggled with the attention this brought.  I didn’t see myself as beautiful. I longed for people to look deep inside and love me for who I really was. Yet there was a fear that if they really knew me they wouldn’t like what they found. I often played the part of what I thought people expected me to be and say, letting others define me.
     Eventually despite many mistakes and wrong turns seeking someone to truly love me, I found the Savior. For you see through the valleys and plateaus He had been relentlessly pursuing me. I discovered in Christ the freedom to be who He had created me to be. Through my relationship with Jesus, as I learned to rest in His love, I began to trust who I was. I learned to embrace my uniqueness rather than strive to be someone I was never intended to be. 

I wonder if any of you struggle with that issue in your life. Are you measuring yourself by what the world says is beautiful, by what the world says has worth? 

     Your uniqueness is the very thing that God gave you. It is what distinguishes you from others in the world. There is no one else like you. Only you can fulfill the part that is needed. You were created for a specific purpose and no one else can fulfill it. The only time that your uniqueness needs to yield is when it conflicts with the character of Christ. You have been divinely cast in the leading role for your life. Play the part that God has written for you.
You are perfectly cast.

“For you created me in my inmost being,
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
I know that full well
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth
    your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me 
were written in your book
before one of them came to be” 
Psalm 139:14-16

In my human frailty I often forget lessons learned and Father has to speak to my soul again. He always does it in His Word, but also often in a story told, a painting beheld, a melody sung, a word spoken or His brushstrokes in the sky.....through them all my Lord reminds me of His love, or speaks a truth of who He is and His dreams for me. He is speaking if I will simply pause, look, listen and let Him open the window into my soul and enter in.

 God's brushstrokes in an Oklahoma sunset

“For God does speak-
     now one way, 
     now another-
though man may not perceive it...”
 Job 33:14

The Lord is always reaching out to you and to me...speaking Words of life.
 His Words will be specifically designed to speak into your unique soul,
 to draw you toward His perfect, beautiful plan for your life.

Gracious, loving Father, help us to perceive all that you have to say.
Help us embrace the uniqueness of who you created us to be. 

     This weekend I attended the Chapel Women’s Conference. It was a wonderful time in the Word, worship, fun, fellowship and learning about what it means to be an uncommon woman of purpose, God's Masterpiece.  I was challenged as I let the Lord go deep into my soul and expose fears and wounds that only He can transform and redeem for His purpose in my life. It was a time of tears and laughter. 

     I had the privilege of being in charge of creating a sacred space in my office for our speaker Susie Larson to rest and recharge before her speaking sessions. It turns out we are kindred spirits. When she entered into the space with candles burning, music softly playing, and hot tea and goodies I could see the weariness of her travels fall off. This was her sixth weekend in a row on the road and as we spoke on the way from the hotel she told me of how hard the season had been on her physically. She was so grateful for a sacred space. It was a place where she could prepare her heart to minister. When you are called to give out day after day in ministry, it’s important to have a haven where you can be replenished, even if it is a little office in a church. 

     We are all called to give of ourselves in ministry day after day. Most of us will not be asked to be a national speaker for women’s conferences, but within our own sphere of influence we have demands, jobs, family, friends, strangers, all with needs that can drain us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

     Yesterday when I got home from the conference I was praying about what to write for Monday Musings. I considered the beauty and purpose of a sacred space, a place where we listen to His voice. Then Sherry emailed me, “It must be porch time for me. That special place where God speaks into my heart and life.” Her porch is her sacred space. 

Do you have a sacred space? A place that is reserved just for you and the Lord to meet? 

     It might just be a chair in the corner of a room where you can “Be Still and Know that He is God.” Just gather a basket for your Bible, journal, and perhaps a devotional or study book. A candle and soft instrumental music helps to calm your spirit and soothe away the stress of life. Few of us have the luxury of a room to ourselves, but if you do, consider clearing it out and creating a sacred space for quiet, solitude, reflection, study, and prayer. Those of you who know me well, know that for years I have gone to my red chair in the living room to meet with Jesus. I still do. When we remodeled ten years ago and took in our attic space, I asked to create a little prayer loft in the attic. I am so grateful for this sacred space where I have a tender history with the Lord.
      During 2004 in this sacred space I wrote most of the Bible Study “Living Water.” It was for that study that the Lord led me to begin writing “My Beloved” letters. I am still writing them. They are simply Scripture personalized. I believe they were birthed during that season of my life because the Lord wanted me to know how much I was loved, how personal His word was for me, like a love letter written for my soul.
 I believe He wants you to know that too. 

My Prayer Loft

     I wonder today if you feel loved by the Lord. You will not go to that sacred space unless you are absolutely convinced of Jesus’ love for you, despite your failures, despite your disappointments and circumstances. 
He is waiting for you. You are His Beloved. His Masterpiece. You are the Bride of Christ.
In the months ahead I will be sharing portions of these “My Beloved” letters with you. I pray that the Lord will use His Word within them to draw you into the beauty of His love and purpose for your life. You are His Beloved!

Here is a link to Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries for a list of God's Promises.
http://www.intouch.org/you/gods-promises

Resources:
One Thousand Gifts, A. Voskamp. Zondervan 2010.
Jesus Calling, S. Young. Thomas Nelson 2004.
In Touch Ministries, C. Stanley. intouch.org