 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.
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  If you would like to receive the "Monday Musings" RESTORE blog each week via email, please sign up and enter your email address in the upper right hand corner.
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