MARCH/APRIL 2019

https://www.amazon.com/PRAYER-POWER-Pastor-Avis-Dalrymple-ebook/dp/B008C27TIO

MARCH/APRIL 2019 

The Meaning of Easter

John 20:11-18  (KJV)

¹¹ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

¹² And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

¹³ And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

¹⁴ And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

¹⁵ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

¹⁶ Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

¹⁷ Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Globally the world is getting ready to remember and celebrate the season known as Easter .  Easter, also called Pascha (Greek, Latin) or Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD.

In The Bible The Easter story is recorded  in slightly different ways in the four gospels of the New Testament. Jesus’ words to Mary in this account fit with other details of the story and hold a message about our relationship with The Lord.

In the Matthew account, for example, Mary Magdalene is accompanied by “the other Mary” when they come to the tomb at dawn. They experience an earthquake, they see an angel descend from heaven, they watch him roll back the stone, they see the reaction of the guards, and they receive a relatively full explanation from the angel. Their fear and grief is replaced with joy, and they run from the tomb to tell others.   As they are running they meet Jesus. They recognize Him, change their position and hold Him by the feet, worshiping Him.  I pray that this Easter you too will change your position and stance and begin to worship Jesus and by so doing begin to change your life.

In the Gospel of John the account is different.  Mary comes to the sepulcher alone while it is still dark and discovers the stone rolled away.  After fetching John and Peter, who investigate the scene, she lingers behind.  She does not experience the earthquake, see the angel come down, or see him roll back the stone. She weeps and looks into the tomb. Only then does she see the angels, but they don’t explain anything to her, they only ask her questions. When she does see the Lord she does not recognize Him, and He asks her not to touch Him.

Both stories illustrate Mary’s deep love for Jesus.

If you are at a place  of loneliness or darkness in your life where you feel empty and helpless I want to remind you that every obstacle that you face can be rolled away by The Lord Jesus Christ.  His power can shake your terrain and territory.  It is time for you to recognise that God wants to do a NEW thing in your life not just at this season but for EVERY season that you will ever encounter.   There is no stone or barrier that can hinder, block or stop Jesus Christ Himself from working in your life and Jesus is waiting to meet you regardless of  whatever way you have  presently chosen to live your life!

Today, accept and allow Jesus in…make this time of your life God’s Season! 

PRAYER

Dear Father and Lord,

Thank you for sending Your very own son even Jesus Christ to die and atone for my sins.  Forgive me for every wrong thing that I have ever done

Today I ask you to touch and resurrect every dead area of my life.  Raise me up in every place where previously I had given up.  I ask you to breathe new life into my body and soul. 

Dear Lord release your Spirit of Love, life and liberty all over me now as I visualise what the sacrifice of the cross must have cost you and heaven. Thank you for the healing grace of forgiveness  and the shed blood of Christ.

Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law for He was made a curse for me (Galatians 3:13). 

Amen for evermore!