Jesus rose. He is alive. He is seated at the right hand of God. 
What does that mean for you and me?
It’s a new day.

What gives you confidence? I usually go about my day trusting in Jesus.

I suppose that answers the question for me. Jesus’ presence is my confidence. “Jesus-confidence” versus “me-confidence.” 

But it’s more than that. It’s an assurance that I’m in his will. Or at least, actively seeking to be. In surrendering my will to his, peace gives me strength.

What does this have to do with Jesus’ resurrection? 

Jesus’ resurrection changed everything. His presence is the confidence that I can be where I am meant to be. I can be who I am meant to be. 

His presence brings strength in convictions, perseverance through hardships, healing in hurting, peace in storms. 

Friend, your strength may run out. You may grow weary. But Jesus doesn’t. He understands what it’s like to be you. He knows what you’re going through.

Because he is with you, everyday is a new day… A new opportunity to trust in him.

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

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A Carpenter’s son, not owning much,
His toys were hammers, nails, wood and such.

There on the floor day after day, 
In shadows of the cross he played.

The sound of hammer hitting nails, 
Echoing stories that future tells.

When days of playing with toys are done, 
And time has come to reveal God’s Son.

Sent down from Father- the Great I Am, 
To be the sacrificial Lamb.

Though world around him thought it odd, 
A carpenter’s son- the Lamb of God?

Meeting nails and wood again, 
And hammers in the hands of men.

He chose to die on rugged tree, 
To save a lost humanity.

In humility He freely gave, 
And placed within a borrowed grave.

Victoriously He rose again, 
 Paying the ransom for our sin.

The child who played on dusty floor, 
Became for us the open door.

To enter into the Father’s grace, 
And behold God’s glory in Jesus’ face.


“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts. To bring the light of the glory of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

​He is not here; He has risen just as he said. 
-Matthew 28:6

Our eternal life comes down to who we recognize Jesus to be and how we relate to Him. It’s one thing to know about Him, but it’s another thing all together to have a genuine relationship with Him through faith.
The Bible tells us that we are invited to confess our belief that Jesus is Lord, this means we’re confessing that He is our God and has ultimate power over our lives. 
Jesus is the source of our eternal life. He conquered death when He rose from His tomb.
If we place our faith in the risen Savior, Jesus Christ we are saved. We are eternally rescued. We are promised a place in God‘s presence forever. The Lord has revealed these things to us because He loves us. He invites us to receive the gift of salvation through faith in Him and to live with confidence and the fact that he is a source of our life and our hope. 

~Jackie Wehr

Reflection
This month the freedom writers are penning thoughts about Christ’s resurrection.  As we discussed resurrection, we were all struck with the fact that death comes before the new life; good Friday comes before Easter Sunday.
As I was working in my yard, preparing it for our Easter dinner, I noticed something…Springtime is overflowing with resurrection examples.  Trees that looked lifeless sprouting beautiful blooms.  Bulbs and tubers buried in the ground for months, breaking through the dark earth to present themselves; a bunch of sticks being formed into a nest in my camellia bush in anticipation of life…”May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.” Galatians 6:14&15.
And our lives are overflowing with resurrection.
My daughter Mary who has suffered with anxiety and depression for years, shared her story on Saturday – losing the fear of sharing, to gain the freedom that comes…”Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25
My friend Becky and her husband Earl left everything here in California and moved to Oregon – loss of what they knew to grasp what was before them. “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13 & 14
Prayer…
This month, our prayer for all of us, is that we would experience the resurrected life for yourself. You will be in excellent company! 
As you reflect on Christ’s sacrifice,
May He fill your heart with grateful praise
And surround you with His redeeming love
That reconciled you to the Father – 
So, you can live in Christ’s resurrection,
Knowing death could not consume Him,
For when He rose victoriously,
He sealed eternity for you. – M.S. Lowndes

With Love & Gratitude – Christina
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