April Showers….

We’ve all heard the same, “April showers brings May flowers.” I suppose it’s true in a general way. I also think that March rain brings April flowers. (Though it doesn't have the same ring to it!) 

Nevertheless, when something is generally true, then we assume that it is always true.

Not so sure about that when it comes to success. There are certainly principles and ideas that are generally true. And generally, they produce success. Even a non-Christian can have success according to principles that are not necessarily godly ideas.

So, today I want to explore the idea with you. Do you think that there are certain principles that are true that can also bring success?

Another saying that I’ve heard quite a bit says, “all truth is God’s truth.“ Perhaps that one is a stretch. Again, something can be generally true, but if applied incorrectly can bring tragedy. Take for example: 1+1 = 2 but, every one is the same? It is true as a math problem, but it is not true that every one is the equal. Not everything contributes equally.

Sound philosophical? Confused?

My dad Is approaching his 90th birthday. He is a great philosopher. Talk to him about any subject, and he will wax in eloquence, and with a deliberate tone, which is often believable. His maxim’s are generally true, and could be applied to generally everything. However, not everything he says can be taken as gospel for every one. 

My dad came up through the ranks of life and what we call the school of hard knocks. Certain things that he believes came through hard times. He was raised as a fighter. His generation is duty bound, and their success came because of their diligence, hard work, and a hard fought fight. His generation made things happen. 

My dad’s application of scripture came through a lens of his generation. He believed that if you worked hard enough, you will succeed. Generally true, but not always.

If possible, Paul talked about finishing the race strong. Yet, when he pinned those inspired words, he was in chains. He was in prison. To look at his life would not have caused you to think success.

So today I want us to come to a greater understanding and even a degree of patience when it comes to the various generations who interpret truth within the context of their lives

I suppose you could say that I’m getting older. What I thought was true in my 20s are not necessarily the same at my age. Of course, in my 20s I was naïve. Many may still say that I’m naïve today. Nevertheless, it’s important for us to understand that Christianity is based on a set of relational qualities and principles, not only cold hard facts.

What is generally true, and I suppose ultimately true, is that God has a plan for our lives. We can also say that God gave of himself so that our lives can be redeemed through Christ. This is something we could not do for ourselves.

Truth is of God.

Wisdom is from God.

Love is God.

Everything at its beginning and ending is God.

Universal or general knowledge is only as good as its application. Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. When Paul penned the Word of God, it is inspired Truth that accomplishes what God purposed. (Isaiah 55:11)

Man’s wisdom is foolishness to God’s Truth!

Bottom line: Speak God’s Truth. Seek His knowledge. Do His Will. 

The Dead Have Risen! (The Hope of The Gospel for Even the Dead.)

As many, including each of us gather to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, perhaps at a cemetery. Many churches have a Sunrise service. 

Cemeteries often perceived as a place of sorrow, becomes a source of inspiration. It may seem odd to reflect on life and hope amid tombstones and memorials, yet it is precisely here, among the stones, that we encounter the profound truth of the Gospel: Jesus Christ, our resurrected King, has conquered death. We don't just honor memories; we celebrate the living hope that promises not only the resurrection of Christ but that the dead in Christ will rise again. 

As we delve into the depths of Matthew 27:50-54, we will discover three pivotal points illuminating our hope in the resurrection, not just for the future but for the here and now.

Firstly, we must consider the stones that grace the cemetery. Each of these stones is a testimony to a life once lived, a “dash” that represents a journey filled with joy, pain, love, and loss. In our scripture, the passage begins with the moment of Christ’s death. Who is this that dies? It is Jesus! With His final breath, He chose to give up His spirit voluntarily, a sacrifice made out of love for humanity. This act was not a sign of defeat but rather the ultimate victory over sin and death. As we reflect on this, we find hope in the assurance that though death is a reality, it is not the end. For every believer, Jesus' death paves the way for life, reinforcing that even in the graves, there lies the promise of resurrection.

Secondly, let us examine the names etched upon these stones. They represent the relationships and reputations of those who have passed, serving as memorials of our loved ones. The events surrounding Jesus' death were marked by extraordinary occurrences — an earthquake, the tearing of the temple curtain, and the opening of graves. Each of these elements carries profound significance. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are reminded that our loved ones, who have died in faith, are not lost but rather transformed, poised for resurrection. This assurance cuts through the grief associated with death, reminding us that in Christ, there is always hope, even when we face the hardest part of letting go.

Finally, we look again with renewed vision; these graves, filled with what seems to be death, are, in truth, awaiting life. Matthew chronicles an astonishing moment when the dead were raised after Jesus’ death, marking the emergence of godly men and women from their graves. (After Jesus’ resurrection we find that they were messengers that went throughout the region.) These resurrected souls became messengers, speaking from beyond the grave to testify of God’s power over death. It reflects a powerful truth: for believers, death is not the end but rather a passage into a new life. We too are offered this resurrection; our spirits can rise from the dead when we encounter Jesus. Just as those who were once dead can proclaim God’s grace and love, we, too, must ask ourselves if we have been spiritually raised and how we are sharing this profound testimony with the world.

In conclusion, who is this Jesus who died but rose again? He is our hope, the one who transforms the dash of our lives into a testimony of eternal significance. Encountering Him means that powerful things can happen, not only for us but for those around us. As we celebrate this resurrection season, let us embrace the truth that those who were once dead are now alive in Christ, ready to share their testimony of God’s grace and hope. We serve a risen Savior, and in Him, we find the promise of life — today, tomorrow, and forever.

I love playing games with my grandchildren. One game includes them holding their breath as we pass a cemetery. It’s a fun contest to see if they can do it. But, in the imaginary grandparent handbook of rules, it states that grandparents should slow the vehicle down to make it more difficult for them to hold their breath long enough to pass.

How about you? Upon holding your breath as you consider this message and every cemetery that you pass and again breathing air into your lungs, you will proclaim the truth of the gospel that Jesus saves!