The post Come and Dine! appeared first on My Manna.
]]>
On the night of Jesus’ arrest-
Peter denied Jesus – three times!
In spite of his lack of loyalty-
Jesus extended an invitation of mercy to Peter and said:
“Come and dine!”
There on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection-
Jesus came to Peter and prepared a table of restoration.
Can you imagine what was going through Peter’s mind?
Guilt and gladness, fear and fascination, wonder and worship-
– a kaleidoscope of emotions!
He could not believe that-
– he was being invited to the table of the One he had deserted just days before.
And not only was he being invited but restored!
The depth of Jesus’ covenant love is not exhausted when we sin.
There is forgiveness and restoration.
Peter is off the scene!
You are on the scene!!
Allow Him to transform your life.
And to use you for His glory from today on…
Read this account of restoration in John 21:4-19.
Rejoice over God’s plan of restoration in your life.
(PR)
The post Come and Dine! appeared first on My Manna.
]]>The post The light burst forth appeared first on My Manna.
]]>
“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen!” (Mark 16:6).
After the long, dark weekend, Mary Magdalene left early Sunday morning to go out to Jesus’ tomb.
Already filled with grief and sorrow she saw the tomb broken open and Jesus’ body missing.
She ran to tell the disciples someone had stolen His body.
Peter and John ran out to investigate, then went back into hiding to consider what they had seen.
Mary stayed behind at the tomb, overwhelmed with sorrow.
Have you ever stood at a graveside totally lost and immersed in unspeakable grief?
Imagine Mary’s pain, totally shattered by the brutal murder of her Lord.
But Jesus had already told His disciples how the story would end.
This was a day of joy and victory.
It was not a day of grief and loss.
Jesus came up to her and at the sound of her name on His lips-
– the light burst forth and scattered the darkness of Mary’s grief.
When we stand by a loved one’s grave, this is a moment to remember.
On the Last Day our loved ones who are now separated from us, hidden in the darkness of the grave will stand before us shining. Their voices that are now still in death will be music in our ears once again when the Light comes to raise the dead and vanquish the darkness forever.
We will see Jesus with our own eyes just as Mary did on that great day of resurrection.
And we will shine in that glorious light forever and ever.
“Lord Jesus, thank You for bursting out of the tomb on this glorious day, revealing our future and that of our loved ones who have died in faith. Give us joy, courage and hope as we await that glorious day of Your return, and help us share it with all. We pray in Your holy Name. Amen.”
(PR)
The post The light burst forth appeared first on My Manna.
]]>The post Are You Hiding Behind Closed Doors? appeared first on My Manna.
]]>
After Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were terrified.
Afraid that the same authorities who executed Jesus would come after them next-
– they hid behind shut doors, afraid for their very lives.
So what did Jesus do to bring courage to these frightened disciples?
He appeared in the midst of them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Are you afraid of something right now?
Quite honestly, there are a number of things we maybe ought to be concerned about today.
There is instability in our world.
There are wars and rebellions everywhere.
The economic situation could change overnight.
Maybe you are afraid of losing your health.
Or maybe you are afraid of losing your job.
Are you hiding behind closed doors?
– like the disciples, terrified of what is out there?
Jesus wants to come into your life and set you free from that fear.
The same Holy Spirit that energized the first-century believers is here today, ready to fill your life.
Stop and consider the simple fact that these very panic-stricken, fearful disciples went out after this and boldly and courageously shared the gospel.
Most of them, in fact, laid down their very lives and became martyrs for the faith.
Think about it.
It is because Christ was indeed risen, because He was alive, that these men went and, for all practical purposes, turned the world upside down.
It is the explanation for the change in their lives.
It is the explanation for the Christian to this present day.
We serve a risen, living Lord who is still transforming lives.
(PR)
The post Are You Hiding Behind Closed Doors? appeared first on My Manna.
]]>The post The light burst forth appeared first on My Manna.
]]>“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen!” (Mark 16:6).
After the long, dark weekend, Mary Magdalene left early Sunday morning to go out to Jesus’ tomb.
Already filled with grief and sorrow she saw the tomb broken open and Jesus’ body missing.
She ran to tell the disciples someone had stolen His body.
Peter and John ran out to investigate, then went back into hiding to consider what they had seen.
Mary stayed behind at the tomb, overwhelmed with sorrow.
Have you ever stood at a graveside totally lost and immersed in unspeakable grief?
Imagine Mary’s pain, totally shattered by the brutal murder of her Lord.
But Jesus had already told His disciples how the story would end.
This was a day of joy and victory.
It was not a day of grief and loss.
Jesus came up to her and at the sound of her name on His lips-
– the light burst forth and scattered the darkness of Mary’s grief.
When we stand by a loved one’s grave, this is a moment to remember.
On the Last Day our loved ones who are now separated from us, hidden in the darkness of the grave will stand before us shining. Their voices that are now still in death will be music in our ears once again when the Light comes to raise the dead and vanquish the darkness forever.
We will see Jesus with our own eyes just as Mary did on that great day of resurrection.
And we will shine in that glorious light forever and ever.
“Lord Jesus, thank You for bursting out of the tomb on this glorious day, revealing our future and that of our loved ones who have died in faith. Give us joy, courage and hope as we await that glorious day of Your return, and help us share it with all. We pray in Your holy Name. Amen.”
(PA)
The post The light burst forth appeared first on My Manna.
]]>The post Come and Dine! appeared first on My Manna.
]]>On the night of Jesus’ arrest-
Peter denied Jesus – three times!
In spite of his lack of loyalty-
Jesus extended an invitation of mercy to Peter and said:
“Come and dine!”
There on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection-
Jesus came to Peter and prepared a table of restoration.
Can you imagine what was going through Peter’s mind?
Guilt and gladness, fear and fascination, wonder and worship-
– a kaleidoscope of emotions!
He could not believe that-
– he was being invited to the table of the One he had deserted just days before.
And not only was he being invited but restored!
The depth of Jesus’ covenant love is not exhausted when we sin.
There is forgiveness and restoration.
Peter is off the scene!
You are on the scene!!
Allow Him to transform your life.
And to use you for His glory from today on…
Read this account of restoration in John 21:4-19.
Rejoice over God’s plan of restoration in your life.
(PR)
The post Come and Dine! appeared first on My Manna.
]]>The post The light burst forth appeared first on My Manna.
]]>“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen!” (Mark 16:6).
After the long, dark weekend, Mary Magdalene left early Sunday morning to go out to Jesus’ tomb.
Already filled with grief and sorrow she saw the tomb broken open and Jesus’ body missing.
She ran to tell the disciples someone had stolen His body.
Peter and John ran out to investigate, then went back into hiding to consider what they had seen.
Mary stayed behind at the tomb, overwhelmed with sorrow.
Have you ever stood at a graveside totally lost and immersed in unspeakable grief?
Imagine Mary’s pain, totally shattered by the brutal murder of her Lord.
But Jesus had already told His disciples how the story would end.
This was a day of joy and victory.
It was not a day of grief and loss.
Jesus came up to her and at the sound of her name on His lips-
– the light burst forth and scattered the darkness of Mary’s grief.
When we stand by a loved one’s grave, this is a moment to remember.
On the Last Day our loved ones who are now separated from us, hidden in the darkness of the grave will stand before us shining. Their voices that are now still in death will be music in our ears once again when the Light comes to raise the dead and vanquish the darkness forever.
We will see Jesus with our own eyes just as Mary did on that great day of resurrection.
And we will shine in that glorious light forever and ever.
“Lord Jesus, thank You for bursting out of the tomb on this glorious day, revealing our future and that of our loved ones who have died in faith. Give us joy, courage and hope as we await that glorious day of Your return, and help us share it with all. We pray in Your holy Name. Amen.”
(PR)
The post The light burst forth appeared first on My Manna.
]]>The post Are You Hiding Behind Closed Doors? appeared first on My Manna.
]]>After Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were terrified.
Afraid that the same authorities who executed Jesus would come after them next-
– they hid behind shut doors, afraid for their very lives.
So what did Jesus do to bring courage to these frightened disciples?
He appeared in the midst of them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Are you afraid of something right now?
Quite honestly, there are a number of things we maybe ought to be concerned about today.
There is instability in our world.
There are wars and rebellions everywhere.
The economic situation could change overnight.
Maybe you are afraid of losing your health.
Or maybe you are afraid of losing your job.
Are you hiding behind closed doors?
– like the disciples, terrified of what is out there?
Jesus wants to come into your life and set you free from that fear.
The same Holy Spirit that energized the first-century believers is here today, ready to fill your life.
Stop and consider the simple fact that these very panic-stricken, fearful disciples went out after this and boldly and courageously shared the gospel.
Most of them, in fact, laid down their very lives and became martyrs for the faith.
Think about it.
It is because Christ was indeed risen, because He was alive, that these men went and, for all practical purposes, turned the world upside down.
It is the explanation for the change in their lives.
It is the explanation for the Christian to this present day.
We serve a risen, living Lord who is still transforming lives.
(PR)
The post Are You Hiding Behind Closed Doors? appeared first on My Manna.
]]>The post Why is the Empty Tomb So Glorious? appeared first on My Manna.
]]>Why is the empty tomb so glorious? Empty tomb! Easter triumph!!
Because it signifies more than just the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead. He raised you, too!
– to walk “in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
I have come out of that grave. I have ascended. You have, too, if you are saved. Where is Christ today?
Seated in the heavenlies. Where are you seated? In the same place (Eph 2:6-9).
You don’t have to die to go to heaven. In Christ
– You are already seated in the heavenlies right now!
We encourage our brothers and sisters by telling them-
– to keep looking up, when we should be saying, “Keep looking down!”
You’re already seated in the heavenlies! So you can look down on your problems!! You have a brand new life!
Take a moment and ask God to give you a brand new life! Or thank Him for
the one He has already given you!!
(PR)
The post Why is the Empty Tomb So Glorious? appeared first on My Manna.
]]>The post The Swoon Theory! appeared first on My Manna.
]]>“Dear Uticus, our preacher said on Easter that Jesus just swooned on the cross and the disciples nurtured Him back to health. What do you think? Sincerely, Bewildered.”
Here was the response:
“Dear Bewildered,
-Beat your preacher with a cat of nine tails with 39 heavy strokes.
-Nail him to a cross.
-Hang him in the sun for three hours.
-Run a spear through his heart.
-Embalm him.
-Put him in an airless tomb for 36 hours,
-and see what happens.
-Sincerely, Uticus.”
Inevitably, unbelievers will offer their own concepts regarding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in an attempt to discredit the Bible and its message.
Among the most commonly held theories is “The swoon theory!”
– proposing that Jesus didn’t actually die on the cross, but went into a deep coma, or swoon.
It further proposes that He was revived in the cool atmosphere of the tomb, was somehow able to get out of the tightly-wrapped strips of cloth, and appeared to His disciples.
Yet the Roman guards were the first to report the death of Jesus.
They were experts at execution, and they would be put to death themselves if they allowed a condemned man to escape death.
These soldiers were so certain Jesus was dead, they did not bother to break His legs.
They thrust a spear into His body and out came blood and water (which occurs when the heart stops beating), giving them the final proof they needed.
We can either believe or hang our doubts on some flimsy theory.
But-
The death and resurrection of Jesus means that-
– one day, we all will stand before God and be held accountable!
(PR)
The post The Swoon Theory! appeared first on My Manna.
]]>