1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In this short portion of scripture we find some important heart attitudes that make all the difference in our spiritual lives. The first is to rejoice always. We’ve got to set our hearts on the eternal perspective. It’s easier to rejoice in difficult circumstances when our hearts are set on eternity because we remember that whatever is going on here, we are soon to be with our Father. The second is to pray without ceasing. We must have our hearts inclined toward the Father. As we talk together, our relationship increases, following Him is easier, and I am filled with more joy. The third is to give thanks in everything. During hard times it’s often hard to give thanks, but we can thank God that He is bigger than our difficulties. There is much in life that can be difficult, but our salvation, hope, and confidence is in Jesus and cannot be taken from us. Victory is already ours.

Let’s keep focused on our Father and remember to practice living out the Word. Let’s anchor our souls in the eternal and choose to measure our lives by that standard because that’s where life is.

Matthew 28:5-7

But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who 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. Matthew 28:5-7

Can you imagine what it would be like if Jesus had not risen from the dead? Everything would end with us visiting His tomb and imagining His great suffering and death. And then we would go home without victory over death and Hell. Good Friday is the day that we remember the suffering, shame, and death of Jesus. But we are not without hope! We know that Easter morning is coming. It’s the day we remember that Jesus didn’t just suffer and die, He conquered death and Hell and, in so doing, granted to us the opportunity for salvation, an eternity in Heaven, and victory.

So rejoice! Christ has risen, He has ascended on high, He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit, He has given us victory, power, love, acceptance and a new covenant that is ours to live out and enjoy. Let’s rejoice because our Savior is risen; He is risen!

Do you get it? The Christ who died for you has risen, and the same Spirit that rose Jesus Christ from the dead abides in you if you choose Him. Meditate on the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Ponder the truth and let your mind expand to bring this incredible reality into the center of your thinking. We are conquerors. We are victors. We are Christ’s and He is ours. All He has established of resurrection life is ours. Let’s rejoice!! He is Risen!!

Psalm 8:3-6

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. Psalm 8:3-6

How painful for our Heavenly Father when mean chose sin instead of obedience in the Garden of Eden! It was Satan’s absolute deathblow to us and caused us to be separated from our heavenly Father. Forevermore our sins had to be covered by blood sacrifice. We see this in the Old Testament in all the rituals and sacrifices and specifications that men had to perform in order for sin to be covered. It’s hard to imagine all the mess and find the worship of God in it, but a Holy God cannot be in the midst of sin.

I know that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ this month, but we must remember the price that we were purchased with. The ritual of sacrifice is not required of us because Jesus took care of it all with His own blood. Our sin still requires blood, only now it’s our acceptance of the blood of Jesus that enables us to be in relationship with our Holy God. What a value He places on us! Let’s rejoice in the fact that our great and Holy God loves us! But let’s never forget what it cost. Let’s be sobered by the fact that our sin cost so much while we rejoice in the overwhelming love of our Father who gave His Son for us. Let’s remember the amazing value that God places on us and the incredible privilege of our redemption.