Writing On Eagles Wings

Scripture: “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” – Psalm 57:1

Examination of chapter: David wrote this psalm while fleeing from Saul. He cries unto God for His protection, and then praises Him repeatedly for His mercy and truth.

Application: Years ago, I remember reading an article about a disastrous fire. I cannot remember any of the details, but I do recall that during the cleanup afterwards, a dead hen was found with her wings spread out. When she was lifted up, beneath her wings were all of her chicks… alive! She had sacrificed her life to keep her babies from dying in the fire. She knew exactly what she was doing when she chose to shield her chicks under her wings. She felt the fire’s heat; she smelled the smoke, but she knew if she fled, her babies would die. She chose to forfeit her life, but through that sacrifice, her babies would live.

Like those little chicks, humanity needed protection. When sin threatened to forever destroy our relationship with God, He stepped in to save us! He knew that in order to save all of mankind, He would have to hide us under His wings. He did that by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to sacrifice His life so that we might live. Once we ask Jesus to forgive us and become our Lord and Saviour, we have a refuge under the wings of God that will be our hiding place forever. It is here that we find protection, safety, respite, renewal, love, grace, mercy, and peace.

There is one phenomenal difference between Jesus and the hen (okay… I know there are lots of differences, but bear with me…). When Mama Hen died to save her chicks, that was the end of her story, but when Jesus died to save us, that was just the beginning of His story! When it seemed that all hope ended with the crucifixion of Christ on that cruel cross, three days later, He rose triumphantly from the grave! Death could not hold Him, and now He is alive forevermore at the right hand of God the Father continuing to shelter us from Satan, who seeks to devour us! (1 Peter 5:8).

One day, I will be standing before Jesus, and I will see the scars on His body. I don’t know if even then I will fully understand the cost of my salvation, but I do know one thing for certain. I will know that He was always with me, keeping me safe by “spreading His wings” over me. In His presence, I will finally be able to thank Him face to face for sacrificing His life to save mine and for His faithfulness to me. Until then, my prayer will be “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm17:8).

Memory Verse: “Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.” – Psalm 63:7

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Take a moment and reflect back to a time when you knew without a shadow of a doubt that God had kept you safely under His wings, then whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to Him!

Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

(from “Under His Wings” by W. O. Cushing)

Scripture: “For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” – Isaiah 61:11

Examination of chapter: Isaiah writes about the future restoration of the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel. Additionally, he writes about the “Anointed One” who will heal the brokenhearted, set the captives free, and comfort those who are mourning.

Application: When my garden is in a state of neglect, as often happens during the winter months, I am faced with quite a challenge to revitalize it in the springtime. There is the removal of dead leaves, pruning of dead branches, revitalization of the soil, and laying down of mulch. Such an arduous task, but when properly done, it will yield a beautiful garden of fragrant flowers with colorful blossoms that seem alive with the buzzing of bees and the fluttering of butterfly wings!

One task that I struggle to make myself do is pull weeds! They seem to spring up overnight, and they are everywhere!! Ugh! They complete with my flowers for the nutrients in the soil, water, and sunlight! I have to remind myself that I have to get rid of the bad in order to propagate the good.

That’s a lot like growing spiritually. I have to weed out the sins in my life in order to allow the goodness of God to sprout in me! Just like in my garden, that is a task I do not enjoy doing. My sins constantly complete with what God wants to do in my life. I am reminded of what Paul said about this very thing in Romans 7:15-17, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” The truth is that sin appeals to my carnal nature, and it’s a constant battle to keep my spiritual garden from becoming overrun with those sins! Mark 4:19 warns what happens when those weeds go unattended, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

What can I do if even Paul struggled with this? After all, he was quite a bit more spiritual than I will ever hope to be in this life. Take heart!  We have a spiritual weed killer available to us 24/7, and that is the Word of God. It’s the manual for having a beautifully thriving spiritual garden!

How to get rid of the weeds

1. Acknowledge and repent of the sin in my life

• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

2. Renew my mind with Scripture

• “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” – Psalm 119:11

3. Submit to God

• “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7

4. Recommit yourself to Christ daily

• “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23

To keep my flower garden free of weeds, I must constantly be examining the soil for the appearance of those invasive plants. Some of those weeds are very stubborn and require great effort to pull them out, so I have to catch them early. The minute I see them growing, I yank them out completely… root and all. This is also what I must do in my spiritual garden. Self-examination is a must, and the moment I notice a sprouting of sin, I must uproot it and cast it out completely.

As soon as I become complacent about the weeds, they will quickly overrun my physical and spiritual gardens. As written in 1 Peter 5:8, I must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” If you diligently weed, your garden will yield beautiful flowers of faith!

Memory Verse: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What spiritual weeds are you holding on to?

2. Why do you find yourself wanting to hold on to those things that are not pleasing to the Lord?

3. To whom can you go for help in getting rid of those stubborn weeds?

There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,
There’s a place that is wondrously fair,
For it glows with the light of His presence
’Tis that beautiful garden of prayer.

O the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer, O the beautiful garden of prayer!
There my Savior awaits, and He opens the gates to the beautiful garden of prayer.

There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,
And He bids you to come meet Him there,
Just to bow and receive a new blessing
In the beautiful garden of prayer.

O the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer, O the beautiful garden of prayer!
There my Savior awaits, and He opens the gates to the beautiful garden of prayer.

(from “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” by Eleanor Allen Schroll)

Scripture: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” – John 15:2

Examination of chapter: Jesus is teaching His disciples about the importance of being connected to Him in order to accomplish God’s will. He uses the illustration of a vine as the source of energy and power for its branches to be able to grow and produce fruit.

Application: I have several rose bushes in my flower garden, and as much as I dislike the task, pruning is essential for them to be healthy and produce many flowers. Avoiding the thorns while I remove the dead branches is no fun, but I know that in the spring, there will be new growth and beautiful roses to admire.

Spiritual pruning is also a necessity, but often an unwelcome process in our Christian lives. It is a time when God removes all the “dead branches” – those things that hinder our spiritual growth and “fruitfulness”. Those things that inhibit the growth of our faith and service include pride, bitterness, toxic relationships, gossip, etc. There are so many sinful behaviors that stunt our spiritual growth, and when the Lord prunes those things away, the result is a healthier and more fruitful child of God.

When I prune my roses, it is not because I don’t like them; it’s quite the opposite! I enjoy the brightly colored blooms, the sweet fragrance, and the butterflies and bees that they attract. It is the same with God. He doesn’t allow us to go through hard times and challenges as a punishment, but rather as a loving time of cultivation to draw us closer to Him and make us more aligned with His will for our lives.

While pruning is not always a pleasant process, we must trust God, our “gardener”, to do what is needed to make us more like Him. In Philippians 1:6, He assures us that His pruning is a “good work”. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” We must willingly release everything He cuts away from us, remembering that He only wants the best part of us to remain!

In John 15:5, Jesus reminds us, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” As the faith of believers grows stronger from His pruning, they blossom more brilliantly as a beautiful reflection of Jesus, drawing others to Him just as the springtime roses invite the butterflies and bees!

John 15:1 records Jesus’ words, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” Let us always remain connected to the “true vine”, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through prayer, Bible study, and trusting His pruning process, we become more able to produce a bounty of spiritual fruit for our heavenly Father.

Memory Verse: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” – John 15:8

Stretching your thoughts:

1. In what areas of your life is the Lord pruning away?

2. Why is it difficult to let go of these “diseased branches”?

I am the vine, and ye are the branches,
Bear precious fruit for Jesus today;
The branch that in me no fruit ever beareth,
Jesus hath said, "He taketh away."

I am the vine, and ye are the branches;
I am the vine, be faithful and true;
Ask what ye will, your pray'r shall be granted,
"The Father loved me, so I have loved you."

(from “I Am the Vine” by Knowles Shaw)

Scripture: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” – Numbers 23:19

Examination of chapter: King Balak is ordering the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, but the prophet refuses to do so. Instead, the Lord instructs Balaam to bless Israel demonstrating His faithfulness to keeping His promise to preserve and protect His chosen people.

Application: Springtime is a time of promise that life will continue. I had cut back some of my roses a few months ago, and now I notice there are lots of new buds on the bushes! It promises to be a very beautiful flower garden in just a few days!

The Bible is full of promises that God has made throughout all of its pages. Some are glorious and tell of a wonderful future with Him, while others are harsh warnings of judgment that one day come to pass. Many promises that God made have already been fulfilled, and because of that, we can be assured that all the other promises He has made will most certainly come to fruition in His appointed time.

Here are a few of God’s promises that He has already fulfilled.

1. Promise of a son to Abraham – “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” – Genesis 17:19
   1. Fulfillment – “For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.” – Genesis 21:2-3
2. Promise of deliverance from Babylonian captivity – “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” – Jeremiah 29:10
   1. Fulfillment – “Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;” – Ezra 2:1
3. Promise of a Messiah – “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
   1. Fulfillment – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
4. Promise of the resurrection of Jesus – “Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.” – Mark 10:33-34
   1. Fulfillment: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” – Matthew 28:6

Here are some promises that God has yet to fulfill, but will do so in the future.

1. Promise of salvation through Christ alone – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
2. Promise of eternal life – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
3. Promise of Jesus coming again – “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3
4. Promise of a future without sorrow for believers – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:1
5. Promise of judgment – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
6. Promise of salvation from God’s anger – “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” -1 Thessalonians 5:9

God never lies, and if He promises He will do something, you can be sure He will. When He makes a promise, it’s for keeps!

Memory Verse: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”  – Hebrews 10:23

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Sometimes it’s hard to wait for God to fulfill a promise. What would you say to someone who is struggling with waiting?

2. What do you do when waiting on God to fulfill a promise becomes difficult?

Standing on the promises of Christ, my King!
Through eternal ages let His praises ring.
"Glory in the highest!" I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail!
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

(from “Standing on the Promises” by Russell Kelso Carter)

Scripture: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”  – Psalm 51:10

Examination of chapter: This psalm of David was written after his sin with Bathsheba. He is asking God to forgive him, cleanse him from his sin,and restore to him the joy of God’s salvation.

Application: Spring cleaning is that time of year when many of us “deep” clean our homes. We get rid of the clutter and unimportant things we’ve managed to collect throughout the previous 12 months or so. I don’t know about you, but I am so resistant to doing this! I struggle to toss out things that I “might need”, but I need to remind myself of a couple of things. First, if I haven’t used it in a year, there’s a good chance, I don’t need it. Second, if I didn’t even remember I had it, I really don’t need to keep it.

That’s the same way it is with our spiritual life. Holding on to things we don’t need can be a huge obstacle to the growth of our faith and our service to the Lord. Here are a few things I need to toss out as I conduct my spiritual spring cleaning.

1. Sins of the past: “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” – Isaiah 43:18

• When we hold on to “how bad we used to be”, it perpetuates the shame and guilt that Jesus paid for on the cross. His sacrifice took care of it all, and frankly, if God tells us that He “remembers them no more”, why should we cling to our wretched past? We are told to look forward to our new life in Christ, not backward to our old life of sin. Toss out those past sins!

2. Hurt feelings: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32

• Holding on to hurt feelings definitely inhibits our service for Christ, and eventually becomes a bitter wall that is difficult to tear down. In reality, my friends and family do not intentionally try to hurt my feelings, and I need to remember that. I need to be a “grace dispenser”, after all, I am sure I have said or done things that unintentionally hurt another person, and I would hope they would give me a little grace as well. Of course, when I am aware that I have hurt someone’s feelings, a speedy apology heals both me and the one to whom I’ve caused grief.  Toss out those hurt feelings!

3. Lackadaisical prayer life: “Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

• God loves for us to communicate with Him. Not only does He love it, He made a way for us to have access to Him 24/7. When Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil was rent in two from top to bottom. This showed two important things: 1) The Lord Himself did the tearing down of the barrier between God and man, and 2) The holiest of places, the throne room of God was symbolically made available to all whose faith and trust has been place in Jesus. No matter if I am praising and worshiping Him or asking Him for guidance or interceding for someone else… God wants to hear from me always! Toss out that lazy attitude about prayer!

4. Dusty Bible – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:15

• I remember hearing a story about a family that heard a preacher was coming to visit, so they found their family Bible, dusted it off, and set it on the living room table in full view for the visit. I should always be sure my Bible never needs dusting! It is so important to make time to read and study the Word of God. It’s our manual for godly living. Without it, it becomes difficult for our faith to grow. Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” My desire is to become closer to God and live as best I can according to His principles outlined in Scripture. To do this, I must be in the Bible on a regular basis, not just when I’m in church. I need my private time with God, so He can speak to me through His Word. Toss out the Bible feather duster!

These are just a few things on my spiritual spring cleaning list. I know there are more, so I’ll need to listen to my helper, the Holy Spirit, to be sure I get rid of all the “stuff” that I don’t need. What about you? Are you ready to start cleaning?

Memory Verse: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What will you toss out in your spiritual spring cleaning this year?

2. What is it that you’ve held on to through the years, but in reality, it should be tossed?

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide,
and run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

(from “Take Time to Be Holy” by William Longstaff)

Scripture: “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” – John 21:3

Examination of the chapter: This final chapter of the book of John sees the disciples going back to their lives prior to joining Jesus in His ministry. After a long night of fishing with no luck, they head back to the shores of Galilee only to see a man there. He calls out to them, inquiring about their success. Upon hearing they have no fish, He tells them to cast their nets on the other side of their boat, and immediately, their nets are full of fish! Peter realizes it’s Jesus, and jumps out of the boat, running to Him. After sharing a meal, Jesus commissions them to continue His ministry after He is gone.

Application: A few weeks prior to Easter, churches are decorated with lilies and crosses with purple cloths draped upon them. New outfits are purchased for Easter Sunday, and family dinners are planned. In the stores, multi-colored marshmallow “peeps” and other holiday candies fill the shelves. Christians around the world enthusiastically celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then Monday comes. The lilies are gone from the churches; the fancy dresses are hung up for a later time, and the peeps disappear from the stores. The religious world resumes its pre-Easter daily activities, and the excitement of the resurrection is shelved until next year. In essence, people across the globe return to their boats and “go fishing” as before.

Jesus has called each one of us to continue His ministry faithfully until He returns. Known as the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20 states, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” This is not the time to “go fishing”. Soon, the Father will tell His beloved Son that it is time to go and get His children. Let’s not be found fishing, but instead, may Jesus find us busy “about our Father’s business”, excited to be serving our risen Saviour, and eager to introduce others to Him!!

Let’s not be Easter “peeps” and get packed away until next spring. Instead, let us make a concerted effort to make the excitement of the resurrection a daily reality not just an annual event!

Memory Verse: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” – Colossians 3:23

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Do you find yourself as an Easter peep? If so, how can you keep the resurrection alive in your heart throughout the year?

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me, I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair;
I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing will come at last.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

(from “He Lives” by A. H. Ackley)

Scripture: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” – Luke 21:28

Examination of chapter: Jesus honors a widow who gives all she has to God, then He goes on to describe the destruction that will befall Jerusalem and Israel in the future. The signs of the end times is shared, as well as the importance of keeping watch for the coming of the Son of Man.

Application: One of my greatest pleasures in retirement is traveling. No matter where I’m going, whether it’s camping or cruising, I still have a lot of preparations to make before leaving on my trips. Luggage to pack, medication to fill, tours to books, and a full itinerary for my family to reach me in case of emergency. Once that is accomplished, all I have to do is count down the days to departure!

I have another trip I’m planning, so, of course, I am busily preparing for that departure. It’s a “destination wedding”, and while I don’t have an exact date of when it will be, it is sure to be soon, and I want to be ready! I know that the bridegroom is preparing a huge feast, and when His bride arrives, the celebration will be amazing! Several of my friends and family have already gone to be there, and I can’t wait to join them. By the way, you’re welcome to come too! There’s always room for one more!

All you’ll need is a reservation, and that can easily be arranged.  

How to get a reservation:

• Admit you’re a sinner and repent of your sins.
  • “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” – Romans 3:23
• Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died in your place to take the punishment for your sins, and rose from the dead to be the Savior of the world.
  • “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”– 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
• Call upon Christ to forgive your sins and be your Lord and Saviour.
  • “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

That’s it! Once you’ve placed your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are on the official guest list with your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Revelation 21:27 explains the parameters of the guest list, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

When are we going? 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us how we’ll know the time. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

I’m sure you’ve figured out the location of this destination wedding. Sure hope I’ll see you there! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Memory Verse: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Jesus stated that He was the only way to get to heaven. How would you respond to someone who claimed there were multiple ways to get to heaven?

Lord, I care not for riches, neither silver nor gold;
I would make sure of heaven, I would enter the fold.
In the book of Thy kingdom with its pages so fair,
Tell me, Jesus, my Savior, is my name written there?

Is my name written there on the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom, is my name written there?

Lord, my sins they are many, like the sands of the sea,
But Thy blood, O my Savior, is sufficient for me;
For Thy promise is written in bright letters that glow,
"Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them like snow."

Is my name written there on the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom, is my name written there?

O that beautiful city with its mansions of light,
With its glorified beings in pure garments of white;
Where no evil thing cometh to despoil what is fair,
Where the angels are watching, yes, my name's written there.

Yes, my name’s written there on the page white and fair;
In the book of Thy Kingdom, yes, my name’s written there!

(from “Is My Name Written There” by Mary A. Kidder)

Scripture: “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?” – Job 12:7-9

Examination: Job rebukes his friends’ belief that God always punishes the wicked and always blesses the righteous. He then speaks to God’s sovereignty and power over His creation, reminding them that suffering is not always a direct result of sin.

Application: After the resurrection, the Bible tells us that there were still those who doubted Jesus had risen from the dead. Luke 24 recounts the story of two men who encountered Jesus as they traveled to Emmaus. They wore their grief on their faces, causing Jesus to ask, “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?” (v 17).  They proceeded to explain about Jesus, a prophet of God, who had recently been crucified. While they mentioned that His tomb had been found empty, they gave no evidence that they believed He had risen from the death. They failed to see Jesus as the Son of God, the promised Messiah. They were grieved because, in their eyes, a mighty prophet of God had been executed.

At the conclusion of their explanation, Jesus began to speak to them using Scriptures that referred to Himself, explaining that everything that happened was according to God’s plan.  “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” (v 26). However, it wasn’t until after Jesus had blessed and broken the bread for the evening meal that the two men realized with whom they were dining. They had missed all the signs… all the prophecies fulfilled… all the evidence that Jesus was the Christ, the sent One of God for whom all of Israel was waiting.

So many people today are looking for God, yet fail to see Him all around us. Because they cannot see God, they don’t believe He exists. Yet the proof is everywhere! Romans 1:20 states, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” The world demands proof of His existence, then denies the evidence presented. However, if you truly seek God, you will find Him. Deuteronomy 4:29 states, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

Here are three examples that provide clear evidence that God is.

1. I recently sat and watched a bumblebee flit from flower to flower. Gathering pollen is needed for the hive to thrive. As it moved from blossom to blossom, some of the pollen was transferred to other plants for the reproductive process. Without the bee, the flowers would struggle to propagate themselves. This little buzzing fellow was a beautiful display of divine design and purpose, not to mention how its wings work in a unique pattern to keep it in flight! Colossians 1:17 tells us God is the Creator and He sustains all life, “And He is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

2. As a former obstetrical nurse, I assisted in delivering babies. To realize that one single fertilized cell developed into billions of cells, forming tissues, organs, and systems that are ALL different in both make-up and function is beyond comprehension. That is definitive proof of God’s handiwork. Psalm 139:16 states, “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

3. A lot of things have to fall into place in order to support life as we know it… and not just one particular form of life, but all the various species we have on this planet. Earth is exactly the right distance to support life with its water, the right temperatures, an atmosphere that filters and protects, and gravity that keeps our planet in the orbit it needs to be. How? Undeniably, God! Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

These are only three examples that point to “intelligent design” – the current euphemism for God. There are a plethora of other examples that support His existence, but unlike the two men from Emmaus, you must be expecting to see Him!

Upon the realization of who had been with them, those two men stated, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). If you sincerely want to find God, you must diligently search for Him with an open mind and heart, and you will find Him. Proverbs 8:17 records God’s promise, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”

Memory Verse: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What would you say to someone if they asked you how you know God exists?

2. If you don’t know how to respond, what could you do to prepare yourself to be able to answer this question?

There is a God--all nature speaks,
Through earth and air and sea and skies:
See, from the clouds his glory breaks,
When first the beams of morning rise.

The rising sun, serenely bright,
O'er the wide world's extended frame
Inscribes, in characters of light,
His mighty Maker's glorious name.

The flowery tribes, all blooming, rise
Above the weak attempts of art;
Their bright, inimitable dyes
Speak sweet conviction to the heart.

Ye curious minds, who roam abroad,
And trace creation's wonders o'er,
Confess the footsteps of a God;
Come, bow before him, and adore.

(from “God is Seen in His Works” by Anne Steele)

Scripture: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Examination: Paul begins this chapter speaking about the “groaning” of the mortal body, that is, the desire to be changed into the immortal bodies all will have in heaven. He reminds the Corinthian believers that it will happen one day, and until then, they have been given the Holy Spirit, which is God’s promise of that which is to come. Lastly, he reminds the Corinthian church that by placing their trust in Christ, they are “new” in Him now and able to serve Him in the present day until they are called to their heavenly home.

Application: Spring is a time of new birth. Flowers are beginning to blossom, trees begin to sprout tiny green leaves, birds are building their nests, and there is warmth in the breeze. It is only appropriate that the resurrection of Jesus occurred in this season because it is He who gives us new life!

One of the most amazing parallels in the Bible is how the Jewish feasts are related to the Lord Jesus Christ and the new life He has provided for us.

• Passover is a springtime holiday that remembers the Israelites’ exodus from Egyptian bondage. It commemorates God’s angel of death’s “passing over” the houses whose doors were marked with the blood of a slain lamb.
  • Jesus was proclaimed to be the “Lamb of God” by John the Baptist. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John1:29).  Jesus was crucified at the same time the Passover lambs were being sacrificed in Jerusalem, and it was His shed blood that freed us from the bondage of sin. Jesus is our Passover Lamb.
• The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins the day after Passover. It represents the hurried fleeing of the Israelites from Egypt, which didn’t allow for bread to be made with leaven as there was no time to allow it to rise. Spiritually speaking, it represents striving to live a righteous life without sin.
  • Jesus is our “Bread of Life”. John 6:48 records the Lord’s words, “I am that bread of life.” Jesus lived a sinless life to become the perfect sacrifice required for our salvation. It is only through Him that our sins can be removed “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). When we accept Christ as our personal Saviour, we can stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Jesus without the shame and guilt of our sins! “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10).
• The Feast of Firstfruits is celebrated the day after the first Sunday of Passover. It is a time when the best of the first barley harvest is offered to God, and represents thanksgiving and trust in His provisions.
  • Jesus rose on this day, becoming the “firstfruits from the dead” signifying that a resurrection to eternal life through Him will occur one day for all who have accepted Him as their personal Saviour. 1 Corinthians 15:20 states, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” We are raised to new life in Jesus upon salvation as it states in Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” This empowers us to serve Him here, but it is also the guarantee that we will be resurrected to eternal life with Him… following still in His footsteps.

The new life that we live in Christ on this earth is just the beginning of our new life in Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 promises that that one day, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Because Jesus lives, so shall we, and one day, He will call us home, where we will be with Him forever!

Memory Verse: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” – Colossians 3:1

Stretching your thoughts:

1. How does the knowledge that the Old Testament is so tightly interwoven with the truth of Jesus and the New Testament impact your faith?

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

(from “He Lives” by Alfred Ackley)

Scripture: “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” – Acts 13:46

Examination: In this chapter, Paul preached his first missionary message to the Jews outside of Jerusalem, but they rejected the truth of the gospel. Due to that, Paul is sent by God to the Gentiles to share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Application: There have been many sermons preached about the unworthiness of mankind. Many hymns have been written about the same. But what exactly does it mean to be “unworthy” in the eyes of God?

Perhaps the most common response is found in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”  For whatever reason, it seems to be quite easy to agree with that verse, and say, “Yes, I am a sinner. I am unworthy of God’s grace.” However, it’s important to understand that being “unworthy” puts us all collectively in the same category.

God does not have degrees of sin. One particular sin is no worse than any other sin. As carnal beings, we tend to classify sins such as lying, gossiping, or cheating a little on taxes as small sins. The biggies tend to be murder, adultery, theft, and others like these. But to God, sin is sin. The smallest lie can separate a person from God and exclude him or her from heaven.

It is the same for our unworthiness. Like sin, we tend to categorize unworthiness into levels. A person who was involved in those seemingly insignificant sins is less unworthy than an abortionist, terrorist, or rapist. The latter group is hugely unworthy of God’s grace, right? Wrong. God doesn’t have levels of unworthiness.

The truth is each one of us is equally unworthy of God’s grace as the most heinous of criminals. I am as unworthy in the Lord’s sight as one who promotes pornography, manufactures and sells illegal drugs, or persecutes Christians.

Sin is sin. Unworthiness is unworthiness. Period. End of discussion.

According to Romans 6:23, the only thing we are “worthy” of is death. The first part of that verse states, “For the wages of sin is death;” If the story ended here, it would be a tragedy, but there is more to this verse. It finishes with “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Yes, we are all sinners. Yes, we are all unworthy of God’s mercy and grace. Yes, we are all powerless to do anything about it.

But God did something about it Himself.

1. God’s holiness demanded a punishment for sin, but we couldn’t satisfy that requirement because it is our very sin that makes us unworthy and unable to do so.

• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

2. Jesus took the punishment for sin in our place. His sinless body suffered the greatest of agonies through scourging and crucifixion for us to have the opportunity to be redeemed.

• “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

3. Jesus rose from the dead becoming the Saviour of the world.

• “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” – Luke 24:6-7

4. As the Saviour, Jesus forgives every sin… “big or small”… to all those who place their faith and trust in Him.

• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:9-10

If we are so unworthy, why would God sacrifice His beloved Son to purchase salvation for us? The answer is found in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We may be unworthy sinners, but we are loved by God beyond measure!

Memory Verse: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Sometimes the realization of how unworthy we are is overwhelming. What verses would you share with someone who felt unworthy of God’s love?

Unworthy am I of the grace that He gave,
Unworthy to hold to His hand;
Amazed that a King would reach down to a slave,
This love I cannot understand. 

Unworthy, unworthy, a beggar;
In bondage and alone;
But He made me worthy and now by His grace,
His mercy has made me His own. 

(from “Unworthy” by Ira Stanphill)