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Because Jesus lives we can live for Him!

4/10/2020

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But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” Mark 16:6-7 NKJV
 
When Peter and John were told the tomb was empty they ran to see for themselves. The Apostle whom Jesus loved outran Peter. He arrived at the tomb first. John stopped at the entrance. He allowed Peter to enter first.
 
If the Apostle of love was so anxious to see for himself he outran the more aggressive Peter why did he stop at the entrance of the tomb? Why did he allow Peter to enter first? Why did the angel speaking in these verses mention only Peter by name?
 
Why are these details recorded in the bible? Do they matter?
 
Peter was impulsive bold and brash. He was a man of action. He was a born leader of men. His faith needed to be stretched so he could trust Jesus more than his own strength and abilities.
 
Jesus told Peter he would deny the Lord three times. Peter refused to believe it. When Peter did deny the Lord three times he remembered Jesus’ words. He wept bitterly!
 
John was at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified. He took the Lord’s mother into his home. He loved and cared for her. John suffered a lack of faith just as the other disciples did but he continued to serve Jesus by caring for Mary.
 
The bible does not tell us why John stopped and let Peter enter the tomb first. I choose to believe it was the first step in Peter’s restoration. I believe John set aside his desire to be first because he knew Peter would be strengthened and encouraged if he went first.
 
John was as close to Jesus as he could get when the Lord walked the earth. He was at Jesus feet when the Lord was crucified. He took responsibility for the care and needs of the Lord’s mother. His faith may have wavered but his love for Jesus did not!
 
There are people all around us who need our love, encouragement and compassion!
 
Our bustling economy has gone bust. People are falling ill at an alarming rate. We should not live in fear of the pandemic. We should not minimize it either. What should we do? Stand in faith! Do not give in to fear! Use wisdom! Trust Jesus more than ever!
 
Jesus is at the right hand of the Father praying for us just as He prayed for Peter 2,000 years ago. What is the Lord praying for? I believe the Lord is praying that our faith would bear fruit. Jesus is praying for the church to serve Him by serving others!
 
The tomb is empty. Jesus rose from the grave!
 
Because Jesus lives we can live for Him!
 
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    Louie Garcia

    Joyfor2day daily devotional goes out over the internet to thousands of people all over the world five days a week

    ​Jesus can use you to shake the foundations of the prison and set people free!
     
    Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:16-18 NKJV
     
    The slave girl was speaking the truth. She was possessed by an evil spirit. The evil spirit was drawing people away from Christ! 
     
    This attack came as God’s servants went to prayer. The enemy of our souls attacks when we step out in faith. Satan seeks to distract us. He wants us to focus our attention on things other than Jesus.
     
    The devil perverts the truth. He uses it against us. No one can serve two masters. This girl was speaking the truth about Paul and his companions while practicing witchcraft. When people claim to speak for God we must consider how they live.
     
    The girl followed the disciples for several days before they cast the demon out of her. It is important for us to wait on the Lord before stepping out in faith. The bible tells us Paul was greatly annoyed by this girl. Paul was not fearful. The Lord was with Him! 
     
    Paul and Silas were put in jail. The owners of the slave girl were angry at the loss of income when the demon was cast out of her. While Paul and Silas were in jail they shared the gospel with the jailer. His entire household was saved. 
     
    God uses Satan’s attacks for His glory and our salvation!
                       
    Satan is a real being. He takes people captive to do his will. There really are demons who seek to destroy God’s people and bring destruction to our world.
     
    We have nothing to fear from the devil or his demons when we live according to God’s will. We have nothing to fear from anyone or anything when we step out in faith to serve Jesus! 
     
    Jesus wants us to fear Him and Him alone. He wants us to know His power and authority are unequaled in all of creation.
     
    God wants you share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people in your life. Jesus wants you to walk in great boldness because He is with you everywhere you go!
     
    Jesus can use you to shake the foundations of the prison and set people free!

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