February 28 – Living Hope

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” -  1 Peter 1:3 (NASB)

When we hear the term “born again” we need to keep in mind that many have used it in ways to make it commonly misunderstood – especially from its original meaning in the Bible. In our verse today we have a promise of God’s great mercy. He has caused us (faith believers) to be reborn with a living hope. Again we consider the difference between the today’s usage of ‘hope for’ and the living hope that Christ has provided. Our hope in Jesus is a living hope. We have absolute assurance because what we hope for has already been done. We have already a living hope and all it promises in Jesus Christ. When Jesus died physically while hanging on the cross, He, the Son of Man, was absolutely dead. He had committed His spirit into the hands of God the Father. But Jesus did not remain dead. He was resurrected to a new life. That is what our living hope is about – we too have in Christ the benefits of His resurrection. He has already caused it to happen for us through our spiritual birth. It’s a hope that is alive and never will disappoint us.

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December 22 – Even Dying, Not Ever Dead

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” John 11:25-26 (NASB)

Of the seven significant and purposeful uses of the phrase “I AM” by Jesus that John recorded, this is the fifth one. It’s context is very important. Lazarus had died. Along with his sisters Martha and Mary, Lazarus was a dear friend of Jesus. Martha had an abstract belief in the resurrection that will happen “on the last day.” But Jesus wants Martha to know Him as the only one who can bring the dead back to life. Jesus is the resurrection and the life which a dead person is resurrected to. Jesus abides in us and He has, because who He is, life to give for He created all life in the first place. Jesus asked Martha, “Do you Believe this?” Martha confesses her belief that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God incarnate. Dwelling in all who believe, He is the resurrection and life to all who also dwell in Him. We live, we die, but since we have been born again by God’s Spirit we have the Son of God, who is our life and we will never die. Our life is Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life eternally living in us.

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September 22 – Merciful Father

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” – 1 Peter 1:3 (NASB)

Even if we do not know them, there still is one father and one mother for every person created. Though God was known as Creator and Redeemer in the OT, He was rarely called Father except as in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Jesus Christ, always addressed God as His Father in the gospels except in the separation on the cross (Matthew 27:46). In doing so, Christ claimed to be of the same nature and being, as the Father. Jesus does not forbid the showing of respect when He said “And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” Christ says no to the use of such names as spiritual titles, or in a sense that accords undue spiritual authority to a human being, as if he were the source of truth rather than God. By speaking of “our” Lord, Peter personalized the Christian’s intimate relationship with the God through His Son. For God provided a glorious salvation for mankind. He is merciful because sinners need God’s mercy. We were in a pitiful, desperate, wretched condition as sinners. Only by God’s mercy are we forgiven and born again.

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March 29 – I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26 (ESV)

This passage records Jesus’ lesson on life, death, and resurrection. Lazarus, a friend died and was in the tomb for four days. Jesus hearing Lazarus was near death delayed going to Bethany.  By the time He and is disciples arrive it is too late – at least according to Martha first and Mary later. Their home was now a house of mourning.  Jesus missed his opportunity to save Lazarus from this death. Both Mary and Martha tell Jesus that their brother would not have died if Jesus had been there. Jesus promises that Lazarus will rise again. Martha agrees believing Jesus is talking about eventual resurrection of all believers.  Jesus states that He is Himself The Resurrection and The Life. “Do you believe this?” He asks Martha.  Yes, she confirms her faith that Jesus is the Christ. These awesome promises are for us⸺Now!. They cause immense joy to erupt within our hearts and banish all fear of death. We who believe in Christ, physical death is only temporary, we are alive spiritually in Christ. This is the promise of eternal life that is ours after our bodies die. And, we are promised new bodies like unto Christ’s resurrection body.

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February 13 - Testing Ourselves

“For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.  Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” – 2 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul’s testimony giving God credit for enabling him to press on. It was a mystery for Paul. It was once, a challenge for Christ on the cross. Jesus had at his command the unlimited power of God.  It was His but nevertheless He willingly chose to follow the course of weakness to the cross.  He refused to use any of His divine nature to soften the pain and suffering while he, the Son of God, hung on the cross bearing the rejection of God the Father for the sins of all in the world.  Paul reminds us that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God. In His resurrection the magnitude of the untapped power was displayed. The truth in this verse is that, as Jesus rose from the dead by God’s power, it is by that very same power we can live and serve Him in faith. We may feel weak and unable to live as we ought, but we know that we have the promise of God’s power available to us. In that power we can do what He wants us to do. Let’s remember that as we live this day.

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April 4 – Hope that is Alive

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, …”  1 Peter 1:3  (ESV)

Taking special notice of our passage today that tells us of incredible promises God has made to all who have chosen to believe the message of salvation.  This salvation was secured by Jesus Christ when He willingly went to the Roman cross to be executed for crimes He never committed.  The only pure and sinless human to ever live and walk on this earth was accused, beaten, lied about and killed for the sins of the world.  It is through what followed three days after the cross that each one who in faith believes and through confession and repentance receives, a new birth into a living hope.  And not just for a finite time in the future but for eternity, forever and ever.  When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, resurrected himself from the dead, He was raised to a new life.  That new life is given to all believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus who is one with God the Father.  That is a promise that we can cling to and count on because it is ours forever as well.  And there is much more. 

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June 25 – Promised and Perfect Inheritance

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”  1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV)

We are sharing two verses from the first letter the Apostle Peter wrote and sent to the believers gathered and assembled in Asia Minor.  It became part of our bible and has great promises for us today.  The promise we are focused on today is in verse 4.  We have been promised an inheritance and that inheritance comes from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Jesus made it possible for us to receive new life and to be born again spiritually into God's family.  As family members we are promised this inheritance.  Let's take a moment to see the quality of this inheritance.  

• It is imperishable – it can never be destroyed or expire.  
• It is undefiled – it is perfect and pure, earned by the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. 
• It is unfading – it's permanence is promised.  

No matter what, we who have received Jesus by faith are promised this inheritance and it is being kept in heaven for each of us.  What a promise to live with today. 

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May 6 – Changes in Form and Image

“And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.” 1 Corinthians 15:49 (NIV)

It is good for us to be aware of the change that takes place in our lives when we accept Jesus as our Savior.  This verse is a reminder to us as human beings that we are in the image of and resemble the first human who were created by God.  As descendants of Adam and Eve our bodies on this earth look like theirs in form and image.  But God has made a change for us when Jesus died, was buried and rose again.  It is His plan for all people to believe by faith in Jesus and receive the gift of salvation and reconciliation.  When we do, we are promised that we will someday have the image of the heavenly man in stead of the earthly man.  The heavenly man is Jesus and we will have a body that is in the form and image of Christ's resurrected body.  Already we have this as a promise and guaranteed reservation.  The earthly weak and temporary bodies we now carry will be gone and we will have a body perfect in every way.  It's ours forever and when we get to heaven it will be revealed.   

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April 22 – Holding Guaranteed Reservations

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”  1 Peter 1:3-4 (NASB)

Now, the day after our remembrance and celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus, we might quickly slip back into the routine and even mundane activity of our day-to-day life.  Instead, let us remember and cling to and rejoice in the promise that God gave us through the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the act of Him taking up His life, after having laid it down for us, that creates for us a new life and gives us a living hope.  Death cannot take that new life from us for it is ours forever from God. It is in fact our inheritance as an heir together with Jesus.  Our inheritance is a life that is imperishable and is undefiled and exists forever.  The fullness of this inheritance will be conferred on all who believe in Jesus when we reach our home in heaven.  We have guaranteed reservations that are already paid.   

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April 21 – Peace Given on Resurrection Sunday

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  John 20:19 (ESV)

Imagine, if you will, that first day of that week. The leader and teacher you've followed has died and his body laid in a tomb.  Some of your group claim to have encountered Him alive but you don't know what to believe.  Your heart is so heavy and filled with fear. Almost all of you are huddled together in an upstairs room with the doors shut and locked.  Suddenly, standing there in front of you is your Teacher, your Lord Jesus.  His very first words to you as a group are “Peace be with you.”  Although Jesus had met Mary in the garden, this was the first time that He met them together on the day He had risen from the dead.  This is why we call this day Resurrection Sunday.  Jesus knew that what His followers needed most that evening was peace in their hearts.  They had been looking for Him at the tomb where he had been buried. They had heard from the few of His followers who said they met him that day but now they saw Him right there in their midst. And His desire was to give them peace.  This is the message which our Lord gives each of us when we recognize His presence with us.  Yes, He is near us and will be with us right here today.  When we recognize His presence that effect will be true peace in our hearts. It will be as if our verse today is true in our experience too.  

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April 20 – Know the Way

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”  Acts 2:26-28 (NIV)

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday and a time we remember the blessings God has given to us through and because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

After the resurrection of Jesus and after giving the disciples his command to spread the Good News, He returned to heaven.  Then came the Day of Pentecost when the promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled.  These words in today's verses are from the message delivered by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. Psalm 16 is quoted by Peter as he preached to the crowds about Jesus and His resurrection.  The Psalm is an important prophecy about the resurrection of Jesus.  Because David died and his body did decay, we can understand that David was not writing about himself but about the resurrection of Jesus who would die, would be buried but His body would not experience decay.  These words are a promise made by God for us.  Here we learn that we can know the right path because God, through the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to follow that path.  We also experience a filling of joy send from God because as believers we now live in the Spirit and presence of God.   

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April 1 – Resurrection Sunday, Just As He Said

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

We have now come to Resurrection Day, or Easter as many observe this day. The Bible reports several important messages which were given on the day Jesus was raised from the dead.  None of these messages are more important than the one read today in the record by Matthew in chapter 28. It is the message given by an angel to the two women who came looking for the body of Jesus. The angel had come from heaven that morning and had rolled away the stone to open the tomb where Jesus had been buried.  We believe that the angel did not need to roll away the stone to let Jesus out. He was already gone and that was the message the angel would tell those who came to look for Jesus. What a wonderful message that is for us too.  The one who had died for us, lived again and He is still living today as a part of our lives.  Jesus, the Son of God lives today, that is a promise He made and keeps. 

September 26 – Victory!

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

This chapter which has our verse is a great chapter that focuses on the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our promised resurrection in the future. God has promised this to all those who have believed in Jesus Christ as Savior. It is true that it will be a great day of victory when we are all together with our Lord in heaven and we expect to praise our God together throughout eternity. We are reminded in today's verse that victory is available for us now while we are still living on earth. We face problems and we face opposition and even persecution and hate from those who hate God. So, our verse promises us that our God is continually giving us victory in face of these challenging times. It is all through our Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. 

May 6 – New and Eternal

“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)

We know that when Jesus Christ rose from the dead it was a marvelous miracle. It was something that only God could do. It was the very action that give us new and eternal life. Our verse today reminds us that God's power is available to us even while we're living here on earth in our earthly bodies. Yes, God has made this power available to us through the Holy Spirit. The things that we could never do in our own strength we can do by His Holy Spirit power. So when we find it difficult to do God's will in specific instances we can trust in the indwelling Holy Spirit to enable us to do it. He who raised Christ from the dead assures us of this promise.

April 16 – Resurrection Sunday, Just As He Said

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

What words from the Bible could be more thrilling for Easter than the message which the angel told the women who came to the grave where Jesus’s body had been buried. This is why this day is also called Resurrection Sunday because by Sunday morning, all there was to see was the place where He had lain. Jesus was gone from the grave. The women had a chance to see Him a little later that day and so did most of his disciples. It is a wonderful truth that Jesus did live again after dying on the Cross. And, He is still living today. This is the great message of Easter. Because He lives we too shall live. When we believe and accept what he did for us on the cross we receive eternal life. We look forward to eternity in heaven. We will live because He lives. Remember not only on Easter but every day the message from that first Resurrection Sunday, “He is not here, He has risen just as He said.”

February 23 - Not Seen and Yet Believed

“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” John 20:29 (NIV)

These are words spoken by Jesus Christ to His disciple called Thomas. We may remember that when Jesus first appeared to His disciples after he arose from the dead Thomas was not with them. When Thomas was told, he did not believe that Jesus was alive. He wouldn’t believe unless he could see for himself. The next time that Jesus appeared to them Thomas was there and then he believed. We’ve chosen this verse because it has a blessing promised for us. Yes, Jesus promised a blessing for all who have believed in Him even though we were not there and we’ve never seen Jesus with our own eyes.  My friend, if you have believed in Him and if you believe that He is living and is praying for you in heaven today he says you are blessed. Let’s thank Him for His blessings today.  

February 2

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 (NIV)

A few days ago our verse was Romans 8:31 about if God is for us, no one against us will be able to defeat us. We are right in thinking that God did show His great love for us in sending His Son into this world and allowing him to live and then to die on the cross for us. We thank Him for accepting us into His family as we believe in Jesus as our savior and receive his new resurrected life as our eternal life.  We have trusted God for salvation brought to us by His Love. Let us be sure we keep on trusting him for everything else we need to live for Him. He will take care of our material needs and our spiritual needs. Our verse says that God supplies our needs along with our Savior. Yes, His provision for our needs is a part of the gift of eternal life and comes from God’s motivation of love.

January 15

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”  Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

These are words of encouragement for anyone of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and have become children of God. Our verse today is for God’s children urging us to remember what Jesus is doing for us every day. Jesus died for us making it possible for us to become children of God. When he returned to heaven after his death and resurrection He took His place at His Father’s side. Today He is there praying for us and this makes a tremendous difference for us. Our verse reminds us not to forget that up there in heaven Jesus is praying for us while we are living here on earth. We are connected by our new birth and eternal life. Remember today what our verse reminds us to do, “set your hearts on things above where Christ is.”

September 24

“In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

In an expression of praise to God, Peter wrote about the prospects ahead of us. God is keeping something for us in heaven – an inheritance. This inheritance we already possess but its fullness will not be fully realized here on earth. Just as our salvation is ours now, it is in heaven that we will finally fully know what that means. He has made us His children by faith and He has prepared a wonderful future for us. These words tell us that He is also keeping us as we are on our way to heaven. Through faith we are being shielded by His power. There are dangers along the way but God is shielding us from them as we trust Him. These are two wonderful ways that God is working for us: shielding us on the way and keep an inheritance for us.

May 19

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

Believers of Jesus Christ are called children of God. We think of ourselves as belonging to the family of God and we should be aware of the benefits of this relationship. When God provided a way for us to become His children, He wanted us to enjoy the benefits of His family. He wants us to enjoy the fellowship of His Son. Jesus, who died on the cross for us and then, after His resurrection ascended into God’s presence in heaven, now wants to be a part of our lives. He wants us to share the benefits of His nearness as members of God’s family. We can have fellowship with the Son of God, talking to Him and hearing His voice talking to our hearts.