THE REASON FOR THE RESURRECTION

By Joseph Prince – Posted March 23, 2017

Romans 4:25

Who [Jesus] was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

The Bible tells us that Christ was delivered up for our sins and raised from the dead for our justification. You may already know why Jesus died for our sins, but do you know the significance of God raising Him from the dead?

Let me give you an illustration to help you understand the significance of Jesus’ resurrection.

Let’s say that you are living in a foreign country. One day, you happen to break a major rule of the land. You appeal to the king for mercy. He says, “A rule is a rule. I cannot bend the rule for you. What will others say about my integrity? However, if you can find a substitute to take your punishment—three months in jail—I will allow it.”

By God’s grace, you find a willing substitute. He goes to prison on your behalf and you don’t see him for some time. Days, weeks and months pass by.

Now, how or when will you know that your crime has been fully paid for? When will you be able to rest easy regarding your crime? It is when you see your substitute walking free again! When you see him out of prison, you will know that the sentence has been fully served. You will know that you are now justified and no one can bring a charge against you for your old crime. No longer will you be afraid of the king or his guards coming after you because you know that the one who was punished in your place is now walking free.

Beloved, Jesus, your substitute, paid the debt you could not pay. On the cross, He bore the sins of your entire life. God put it all on Jesus and then He punished Jesus for every single one of those sins until He was fully satisfied. And because He was so pleased with what Jesus had done, He raised Him from the dead.

Today, Jesus’ tomb remains empty. He is not there for He has risen! His resurrection and empty tomb will forever be our assurance that we have been fully justified. You no longer have to be afraid of God judging you for your sins. His justice is on your side today!

Thought For The Day

Jesus’ resurrection and empty tomb will forever be our assurance that we have been fully justified!

Daily Benefits

By Joel Osteen – Posted March 23, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits…
Psalm 68:19, NKJV

TODAY'S WORD:

This morning when you woke up, what was the first thing that went through your mind? Maybe you have a deadline to meet or a big appointment at work. Maybe you are facing a challenge or going through a difficulty in a relationship that seems to consume your thoughts. Today, be encouraged. Instead of focusing on what your circumstances have to offer, focus on what God has to offer you. His mercies are new every morning, and His compassion never fails. He has victory in store for you today; He has provision in store for you today; He has joy in store for you today, and He has peace in store for you today. He daily loads you with blessing! 

The key to accessing these daily benefits is setting your focus in the right direction. You can’t wait to see how you feel, what kind of mood your spouse is in, what the traffic is like or what the stock market is doing. No, you have to choose to set your focus by saying, “This is going to be a great day. I am blessed and cannot be cursed! I know God is directing my steps. Something good is going to happen to me today!” Set your mind on Him and receive His daily benefits!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, today I choose to focus on You. I open my heart and mind to receive Your daily benefits. Show me ways to be a blessing to others and a good example of Your love in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stay Balanced

By Joyce Meyer - Posted March 23, 2017

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 
—1 Peter 5:8

Listening to the Holy Spirit will keep us balanced in every area of our lives. The Spirit will tell us when we're spending too much money or not spending enough, when we're talking too much or not talking enough, or even when we're resting too much or not resting enough. Any time we are doing too much or too little of something, we are out of balance.

The verse for today states that we are to be well-balanced so Satan cannot take advantage of us. For years, he took advantage of me because I was not balanced in my approach to work. I felt that my whole life should be arranged around work. As long as I was working and accomplishing something, I didn't feel the guilt that the devil used against me. But that urge to work all the time was not from God; it did not push me toward godly balance in my life. Work is a good thing, but I also needed to rest and have enjoyment.

Each day as you seek to hear from God, ask Him to show you any area in your life that is out of balance and work with Him to make adjustments. We have many things in life to juggle and therefore it is easy to get out of balance, but God is always available to help us in this area. Simply ask Him if you are doing too much or too little of anything and make the changes He recommends.

The Power of Love

By DR. David Jeremiah – Posted March 23, 2017

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Recommended Reading: Romans 5:8

Prior to GPS, road trips were conducted using paper maps (which you could never re-fold correctly after unfolding them!). Even shorter car trips were made with directions scratched on a piece of paper. Getting there was not guaranteed. But today, drivers will leave the east coast by car, headed to California, with nothing but their smartphone. Because of GPS we can head into the unknown with confidence.

For similar reasons, the apostle Paul wrote that we can bear, believe, hope, and endure all things because of God’s love in our life (1 Corinthians 13:7). Because God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and His love is in us (1 John 4:12), we can go into an unknown future without fear. We can love others and love God because we know that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

It was love that motivated God to reach out to mankind (John 3:16). That same love allows us to respond to Him and others in perfect faith.

Our response to temptation is an accurate barometer of our love for God. 
Erwin W. Lutzer

 Read-Thru-the-Bible: 1 Samuel 4 – 7