When I wake up, I stay in bed and listen. Then one at a time, thoughts begin to develop in my mind. Eventually I have more thoughts than I can remember so I get up and post them on Facebook. Then I link them together as I post them on my blog.
I’m writing this on Easter Sunday 2024. The following is what I heard this morning:
Because Christ arose, you can be continually conscious of and connected heart-to-heart with the risen Jesus! Settle for nothing less.
Christianity arose because Jesus arose! It was based on Christ-followers having an intimate personal relationship of ongoing surrender to the risen Jesus and being continually led by His Spirit. It was never intended to be a religion or an institution.
One day there arose from deep within me rivers of living water. They continually flow unless I stop them. I love to let the risen Jesus live in and freely flow within me by His Spirit. “‘Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (John 7:38-39.)
Dead Jesus or risen Jesus? Which do you prefer? A dead Jesus is trapped in religion. The risen Jesus transcends religion and ever demonstrates His presence, power, and love to those who humbly receive Him and are willing to be led by His Spirit. (Romans 8:14.) A dead Jesus is boring. The risen Jesus is life transforming!
A dead Jesus is powerless. The risen Jesus does marvelous miracles. A dead Jesus is stuck in history. The living Jesus is writing His story every day in the lives of those who surrender to Him.
A dead Jesus is easy to ignore. The risen Jesus continually calls people to daily live in His presence. A dead Jesus doesn’t satisfy the human heart. The risen Jesus heals, comforts, protects, and empowers surrendered hearts.
A dead Jesus needs programmed church services. The risen Jesus wants to replace religious programs with His presence. Instead of hearing talks about the historical Jesus like He’s dead and can’t speak for Himself, Christians need to continually demonstrate the presence, power, compassion, and reality of the risen Jesus.
Celebrating a risen Jesus day once a year is not enough! Christians need to follow and obey the risen Jesus all day every day. “Christ arose!” by any other name is still as sweet. Happy Easter! Living a risen Jesus life is much more important than celebrating a risen Jesus day. He is risen every day all day long!
A dead Jesus needs pastors to lead and control church services. The risen Jesus (by His inner voice) can lead church services by Himself.
When Christ entered my heart
There arose such clatter,
Nothing else seemed to matter.
My doubts had to scatter.
I’ve never been gladder!
Now the risen Jesus
Is the subject matter
Of my daily life!
A dead Jesus
Seems far away.
The risen Jesus
Is the living way,
Who guides His followers
Throughout each day.
A dead Jesus
Is stuck in the prison
Of human history
But the Jesus
Who is risen
Is always close by.
And here are a few “left over” thoughts from yesterday:
Let God roll away the stone that keeps death in your heart so Jesus can fill you with His resurrection life. Jesus left His tomb empty so He can fill you with His presence. The rejection of the risen Jesus is often based on the fear of accountability. If you believe that Jesus is alive and present, don’t act like He’s dead and gone.
The resurrection of Jesus isn’t something to be remembered once a year. It’s something to experience every day. Show that Jesus is really risen. Let Him take control and be the literal Leader of your life.
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