Manna for Your Morning

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said…” — Matthew 28:5-6 (NASB) In Luke 24:5, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.” Don’t seek the living One among the dead. Jesus is the Resurrection and Life  (John 11:25). Jesus is Immanuel, God with us! Christ is our risen Savior, King of kings and Lord of lords. His tomb is empty and He is seated on the throne. For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  — 1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)

And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. — Philippians 1:19-20 (MSG) Let us continually celebrate the victory Jesus gained for us on the cross and in the empty tomb. He paid the debt for our sins and reunited us with the Father. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ... (2 Corinthians 2:14).  For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity]. (Philippians 1:21 AMP) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! T...

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb (Matthew 28:1 NLT).  After seeing the empty tomb and speaking with the angel, the women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message, that Jesus was risen from the dead. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. — Matthew 28:6, 8-9 (NLT) Like Mary and Mary, let us diligently seek the Lord Jesus. Be filled with great joy knowing that as you seek Him, Jesus will meet you right where you are. May we bow down and worship the King of kings and the Lord of lord, Jesus, our risen Savior!

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” — Matthew 21:9-10 (NKJV) Let us be moved by JESUS, the living Word that was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1) He is the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) King of kings and Lord of lords! Be moved by His body, that was bruised and beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5) Be moved by the blood that trickled down the wooden cross; the blood that washes away our sins. (Matthew 26:28) Be moved by the statement Jesus made from the cross when He said, “ It is finished! ” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30) In Him, we have already won the victory over sin and death. In Him, we have already overcome the world. Be moved by His tomb, that was found empty. He ...

And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. — Mark 15:37 (NKJV)  From the time Jesus died on the cross to the third day when the empty tomb was discovered, was a very dark time for the followers of Christ. The disciples had hoped that He was going to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21), but at this point, their hope was dead. We too will experience some dark days, in between the time we receive the promise, until our hopes and dreams begin to manifest into reality. Heaven will appear to be silent and you may wonder if God is aware of your plight. But hold on, the third day is coming! Don't bury your dreams. Remember God's Word. He is faithful to fulfill every promise. Just as the grave could not contain Jesus, the enemy cannot stop the purpose and plans God has for you.

“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” — Luke 24:6-7 (NKJV) Day One : Christ gave His life on the cross to bear the sins of many; to set the captives free from the penalty of sin and death. There was pain. There was blood shed and there was sacrifice. Day Two : There was sorrow and grief. To the disciples of Jesus, all appeared hopeless, but Jesus was taking care of business, behind the scenes. Day Three : Jesus rose from the dead. The tomb was empty. He declared victory over death, and hell. He overcame the world. My beloved friends, let us patiently endure day one and day two of any trials and tribulations that come our way. For we know that the 3rd day is coming! God will deliver us from all our troubles. Jesus has given us the victory. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, ...

  But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. — Matthew 28:5-6 (NKJV) When the women told the apostles about the empty tomb, their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them (Luke 24:11). In order for the power of the resurrection to have any effect in our lives, we must believe. Followers of Jesus can rejoice in the resurrection. The fact that Jesus defeated death and rose again, gives believers the power to live in freedom and victory. His resurrection infuses in us renewed strength and hope. Just as Jesus triumphed and overcame the world, we too can be victorious. He made a way for us. Thank you, Jesus!