Hope Has Risen

While our world is currently going through uncertain times this one truth remains that hope is not lost. On this Easter Sunday, we are reminded that hope lives on in the form of a risen Savior and His name is Jesus.

Even though Christians are prohibited from praising and worshiping from within the church walls there’s nothing prohibiting Jesus from rolling the tomb away and rising up out of the grave!

John 3:16 says this “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.”

God sent His only Son down to this world to die a on a cross so that we might have hope in Him and salvation for all eternity. Jesus was sent for a purpose, for a mission; just as we are given a purpose and mission in our walk with God. But His mission was unlike anything we could ever fathom, His mission was to bear our sins on a cross. He paid a debt we could never pay. Jesus knew in His walk that it would one day lead to the cross and rather than abandoning His mission, He stayed true to His calling, He obeyed. Jesus took on the cross and died for all so that we could have hope and eternal salvation in Him.

Whatever it is that you’ve done in the past, whatever sins you may have dealt with or guilt you might be feeling I urge you to let go of this pain pulling you down and to give those burdens to the Lord. By dying on the cross, Jesus paid the debt for all our sins. All you need to do is repent and ask God for forgiveness. You are forgiven in His name. Romans 5:8 tells us that “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” There’s no need to go on letting the pain of your past or burdens of your sin weigh you down. Let go of what’s holding you back and give it to the God. Christ died for all sinners, including you.

Hope comes when we make that choice to repent, trust God and submit ourselves to Him. When we let go of our control and choose to obey God with our life, we discover that we have purpose, a calling, a mission. Don’t let the world deceive you or let distractions get in the way of your purpose. Pursue God, trust Him and obey. When you place your faith in Christ and begin to establish a relationship with God, He will begin to open your eyes to what your purpose is. You will begin to experience life as God had intended and become free of the shackles that once held you captive. 

Just as hope was not lost for Jesus as He gave up His life on that cross, hope is not lost for us as believers in these difficult times. What a blessing it is to know that on this victorious day Christ rose from the grave! Hallelujah! He arose! Christ fulfilled His purpose by dying on the cross and rising again. He fulfilled His mission to bring hope to a world that is longing for the truth!

John 11:25-26 says this “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

Our hope shouldn’t be placed on the overabundance of items we’ve accumulated to protect us during these trivial times, nor should our hope be placed on a government, security or medical system. Our hope should be placed on Christ because our home is not here, our home is in heaven. John 14:2 reminds us that “I (Jesus) go to prepare a place for you”. Right now, He is preparing our home and one day soon, in the twinkling of an eye, God will return to take His children home. Despite what happens to our earthly bodies here, God promises us eternity with Him in heaven!

I understand how the current state of things can be scary. Many of you have lost your jobs, many of you may be struggling to pay rent or put food on the table for your family, and I know many of us are missing the opportunity to be together as a body of believers. I know the struggles and I see the fears but Christians we have no reason to be afraid. We have no reason to worry because we serve an almighty God who cares for His children. He cares for us SO much that He sent His Son to die on a cross and rise again in victory so that you and I can have eternal salvation in Him; not that you and I can live comfortably in this present time but that we may find hope in Him and live in eternity with our God. 

The truth is, you may try your best to protect yourself during this time or control the situation to the best of your ability, but you won’t find hope in what the world has to offer. True hope, true salvation can only be found in Christ and the only way you’ll ever be able to experience this incredible hope is when you have unshakeable faith in Christ. When we strive to live comfortably, we are not living in faith but rather we are living in our own might. Give up this control you have over your life, put away your need to live comfortably and pursue God. He is all you’ll ever need.

“In Christ alone, my hope is found. All other ground is shaking sand.”

This Easter Sunday, while you’re sitting at home, live streaming your favorite service or facetiming a family member remember that God loves you and He is in control. Despite what the world is going through, this one truth still remains that Hope is alive, and His name is Jesus. Although we may be in the midst of a lockdown and pandemic no amount of quarantine can keep Jesus from shining a light of Hope throughout the world! It’s time to give up this control you have on your own life, it’s time to stop letting your past weigh you down; let go of those burdens and trust in a risen Savior.

Remember we are only here temporarily so use this time wisely to focus on your relationship with God, tell the world of His love, learn to trust Him wholeheartedly and have faith in His promise. Jesus is alive, He is preparing a home for us in Heaven, a place free of pain and sorrow, full worship and peace; where we, as children of God, will one day get to be with Him in Glory!

📍Second Beach