Scriptures Speaking to Me

Life is never smooth, is it?  There always seems to be some trial--big or small--that puts stumbling blocks in our path, and tempts us to take our eyes off Jesus.  These verses are ringing in my heart today.  I wanted to share them with you, to encourage you.  No matter how hot the fire seems to be today, trust Him.  He's refining you.  Fire does not consume gold.  It purifies it.

 

* * * * * * * * * * 

When He works on the left hand,  I cannot behold Him;
When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.
But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot has held fast to His steps;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.     ~Job 23:9-11

* * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * *

But Wait! There's More!

Do you remember the old Ginsu Knives commercials?  "Cut a tin can, and still cut through a tomato!  These knives can withstand being pounded by a hammer, and still look great!"  The guy on the commercials put those knives through many things, and still, they were sharp.  Then there was always the clincher line:

"But wait!  There's more!"

Which was, of course, their way of trying to sell you something in addition to the AMAZING knives.

Yesterday, we celebrated the Feast of Easter:  the Resurrection of Jesus.  Churches were packed.  Flowers were placed.  Candy was devoured.  New clothes were purchased.  Many hams were baked.  Eggs were colored.  Songs of praise were sung to God for His gift of redemption. 

But today it is Monday.  Back to life as usual.  We did the annual celebration.  Now back to the "same old, same old" of life.

But wait!  There's more!

In the Catholic Church (and some other liturgical churches), we don't stop with Easter Sunday.  That's only the beginning.  We celebrate 50 days of Easter.  On the 50th day, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday:  the giving of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), which Jesus had promised (Acts 1:8).  It's not just a 1-day celebration.  It's a whole season of celebration!

As wonderful as that is, I wonder how God views it, though?  If He gave us His Son, and allowed Him to suffer so horrendously, and raised Him from the dead, don't you think He wants us to remember that a bit more often?  Like, maybe, 365 days?

This doesn't mean it's Easter every day, in the sense we feast and buy new clothes, etc.  But it means we should have Easter in our hearts every day of the year!

If someone says to you, "Did you have a happy Easter?"  Maybe the response should be, "Yes, and I still am!"

Our pastor preached an amazing homily on Saturday night about not searching for the living among the dead.  We can make every day Easter by seeking out One who brings us life.

Because there's MORE!