Preparing to Celebrate Christ at Easter

Scriptures: Psalms 51:10, Proverbs 4:23, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Psalms 139:23-24

What’s the Condition of Your Heart?

Easter, and the weeks leading up to it, are filled with wonderful and busy days—some that even distract us from the reason we are celebrating. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of life and forget the importance of preparing our hearts and minds to celebrate God’s love and sacrifice for us. 

The days leading up to Easter are an invitation for us to get our hearts and minds ready for remembering Jesus’s life, death and resurrection. It’s an opportunity for us to look at our life and start, or restart, those spiritual disciplines—things like prayer, fasting and making sure our hearts are right with God—that will help to strengthen our relationship with Christ. 

One great way to prepare for Easter is by checking the condition of your heart—not your physical heart, but what’s going on inside of you—your thoughts, motives and desires. In fact, God is more interested in what’s going on inside of you than He is with how you look or what you do. Proverbs 4:23 says it this way: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (NIV). The condition of our heart is important because everything starts there. 

So how do we do that? The Bible instructs us to examine ourselves to see whether we are living our lives according to God’s Word (see 2 Corinthians 13:5 AMP). We need to honestly examine our hearts in light of what God’s Word says and make a commitment to change in the areas that He is leading us to. 

The Psalmist David frequently asked God to examine him to see if there was anything in his life that was not right. In Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) he said, Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. And that’s how we should approach it too. 

No matter what condition your heart is in, God wants to make it like His. He wants to be close to you, and the first step is allowing Him to change your heart. So, open your heart to Him in a greater way than ever before, and you will be amazed at how He will change you when you let Him. 

KEY SCRIPTURE:

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV) 

QUOTE FROM JOYCE:

“Examine your heart, your inner attitudes, and your thoughts to see if there is anything there that God would not approve of.” —Joyce 

TAKE ACTION:

Spend time with God today. Talk to Him sincerely and honestly, asking Him to show you specific areas of your heart that need to be changed. Write down in a journal what He shows you. For example, you may be struggling with bad attitudes, negative thinking, disobedience, etc. Throughout the next week, continue to pray and ask God to help you change from the inside out. 

Prayer:

God, help me be a person after Your heart—to want what You want and view others with love and compassion like You do. I can’t change myself, but with Your help, I can change from the inside out. In Jesus’s Name, amen. 

Scriptures: Colossians 2:6-7, Philippians 3:12, John 1:1, Philippians 1:6

Keep Growing

When we give our heart to God and accept Jesus as our Savior, it’s absolutely the best and most exciting decision we will ever make! God gives us everything we need in Christ to grow and become who He made us to be. He’s given us His Word and He wants to speak to our hearts through prayer. It’s the beginning of a lifelong journey of continual spiritual growth. And our goal should be to actively press on each day to become more and more like Christ.

The apostle Paul said it like this: Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own (Philippians 3:12 AMP).

In order to “press on” and grow spiritually, it’s important for us to spend time with God, study His Word, and learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit. Just like we need natural disciplines in our lives, such as the discipline to work, to eat right, to handle our finances wisely, and so on, we also need to make spiritual practices a priority. Adding them to our life will help us keep God at the center of all we do. 

God gave us His Word as an “instruction manual” for life. The Bible is filled with wisdom, encouragement, comfort, and life-changing power. It’s filled with everything we need to be the person He created us to be. And when we spend time in God’s Word, we are spending time with Him. John 1:1 says, In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself (AMP).

Studying the Bible and spending time with God in His Word can seem a little intimidating, but it’s actually easier than you might think. Here are a few practical steps to help get you started:

· Begin with prayer—prepare your heart by asking the Holy Spirit to be your Teacher and help you understand what you’re reading.

· Keep a notebook or journal handy—write down your thoughts and things that stand out to you.

· Consider how you will apply what you learn—think about the steps you will take to do what God’s Word has shown you to do. 

No matter where you are in your relationship with God, start spending time in His Word and be determined to stick with it. When you stay connected to God through meaningful Bible study, you will stay rooted and grounded in His love.

KEY SCRIPTURE:

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NIV). 

QUOTE FROM JOYCE:

“He has done His part and given us everything we need in Christ. It’s up to us to keep learning, growing and letting the Spirit of God work in us.” —Joyce

TAKE ACTION:

As you read God’s Word, pray and ask Him to show you scriptures that will help develop a more intimate relationship with Him. Use the practical tips mentioned and set aside some time to study these verses. As you think about them and even say them out loud, write down anything that stands out to you. Then, take a little more time to dig into those areas God shows you and see how He wants to help you grow in those areas. 

Prayer: 

Thank You, Father, that the more time I spend in Your Word, the more I love it. I pray that Your Word would fill my heart so that my desires will begin to line up with Your instruction and direction for my life. Thank You that You are bringing me to maturity in You. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 3:9, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Transformed from the Inside Out

When we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, something wonderful happens: Our sins are forgiven and the Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside of us. We become a “new creation”—our spirit is made new and we begin a new life in Christ. 

In the Amplified Bible translation, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

This verse says the old spiritual condition has passed away, and the fresh and new has come. Notice the word “have.” This means God has already given us everything we need in Christ to become all that He created us to be. 

The Bible also says that God’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him]…(1 John 3:9 AMP). It’s amazing to realize that when you accept Christ as your Savior, the seed of all that God is comes to live in your spirit. 

In Him, we have everything we need to learn how to think, talk and act like Christ. And we experience these blessings as we study God’s Word and make the decision to believe what He says more than we believe how we feel. 

As we grow in our relationship with God, we discover who we are and what we havein Christ. And this is the one thing we need more than anything else: To know who we are in Christ…and to know what we’ve been given as an inheritance through His death and resurrection.

Take some time to read and meditate on God’s Word. Study scriptures that tell you about God’s amazing love for you. Find out who He says you are, and learn about everything you have through His incredible grace and mercy.

As you do, you will begin to see yourself and your life in a whole new way…and experience the life-changing transformation of becoming a new creation from the inside out! 

KEY SCRIPTURE:

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV). 

QUOTE FROM JOYCE:

“You are a new creation in Christ, and God is working in your life. Little by little, one day at a time, God is changing you.” —Joyce

TAKE ACTION:

As you study God’s Word, find scriptures that show you the truth about who God created you to be and how He wants you to live in Him! Once you find verses, write down what they mean to you. Then, write a confession declaring who you are in Christ according to that verse. 

Prayer: 

Thank You, Father, that You have given me everything I need to become who You created me to be. Help me continually grow in my relationship with You and discover more and more about who I am in Christ. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Scriptures: Mark 11:24, Luke 11:1, Philippians 4:6

How to Talk with God About Everything

Prayer is one of the most powerful forces on earth. But do you believe your prayers are really making a difference? Sometimes when it seems our prayers are going unanswered, we can begin to struggle with doubt and frustration. We may even question whether we’re praying the “right” way. Even Jesus’s disciples felt the need to ask Him to teach them how to pray (see Luke 11:1).

Prayer is much easier than you may think. It’s just talking to Him and sharing your life with Him as you go about your day. You can talk to Him while you are driving to work, walking the dog, or cooking dinner.

The truth is, prayer is the greatest privilege of our lives. It’s not something we have to do; it’s something we get to do. We can talk to God through prayer about anything and everything—at any time, day or night. It’s the way we partner with Him to see His plans and purposes come to pass in our lives and in the lives of those we love. Prayer allows us to share our hearts with God, to listen for His voice, and to know how to discover and enjoy all the great things He has for us.

Developing your relationship with God is similar to developing a friendship. It takes time and a little effort. The truth is that you can be as close to God as you want to be; it all depends on the time you are willing to invest in the relationship—getting to know Him by spending time in prayer and through studying His Word. Your relationship with God will also deepen and grow as you walk with Him over time on a regular basis and as you experience His faithfulness in your life. 

As you gear up for Easter, make it a priority to develop a great friendship with God and invite Him to be a vital part of everything you do. Then, listen as He speaks to your heart—He wants to talk to you too! 

KEY SCRIPTURE:

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God (Philippians 4:6 AMP). 

QUOTE FROM JOYCE:

“He [God] wants prayer to be an easy, natural, lifegiving way of communicating with Him as we share our hearts with Him and allow Him to share His heart with us. Prayer is so simple; it is nothing more than talking to God. It also includes listening to what He has to say.” —Joyce 

TAKE ACTION:

Try talking to God about everything and anything just like you would talk to your best friend. Pray as you’re getting ready for your day, driving, doing the dishes, etc. As someone comes to your mind, take a moment right then and bring your concern for them to God in prayer. Then, take time to listen to what God has to say to you about that person or situation. 

Prayer: 

Thank You, Father, that I can come to You boldly in prayer, knowing that You love to hear from me. Increase my level of expectation and help me to make prayer a simple, natural part of my life. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Scriptures: Mark 12:30-31, John 13:34, Mark 12:31, Ephesians 5:2

Live to Love

The Bible makes it pretty clear that loving other people is one of the most important things we can do. In John 13:34, Jesus Himself says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (NIV). 

The love message is the power of the Gospel and it’s so simple: Love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Jesus is the greatest example of loving others. All throughout the gospels, we see Him feeding the hungry, healing the sick, spending time with children, and even washing the disciples’ feet. Helping people—being a blessing and adding value to other people’s lives—is what it means to walk in love and follow the example of Jesus. 

Jesus said we should love God with all our heart, but He also added the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). There’s something important in these commands that we often miss: Before you can love others, you have to experience God’s love in your own life, because you can’t give away something you don’t have. 

God’s love is a gift to us, and when we receive it, then we can release it to others through our words and actions. This is important because if we don’t, it will stagnate like a pool of water with no outlet. We have to be willing to ask God to teach us to love the way He loves. That means you love when there’s nothing in it for you; it’s all about giving out and not expecting anything in return. Then we will keep God’s love flowing through us as we serve, help, and bless others. 

The act of loving and helping others is one of the most exhilarating things you can experience. So, make it a priority to regularly love the people around you, encouraging them and meeting their needs as you are able to do it. Be determined each day to do at least one thing for someone else that makes their life better. You’ll discover that serving God by loving and helping others is the most wonderful, exciting thing you can do! 

KEY SCRIPTURE:

And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2 NIV).

QUOTE FROM JOYCE:

“Once you begin receiving God’s awesome unconditional love, you can begin not only loving Him in return, but you can also begin loving others.” —Joyce 

TAKE ACTION:

Think of three people you know who could use a gesture of God’s love. Then think of creative ways you can express His love to these people—and do it! 

Prayer: 

I am grateful, Father, that You loved me so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. Help me to be aware of the needs around me that I can meet. And help me remember to love others with my words and actions. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Scriptures: Hebrews 12:2, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:11, John 19

The Power of the Cross

Ever wonder why the day of Jesus’s death is referred to as “Good” Friday, since it’s a day that involved so much pain, agony and heartache? It’s because the result of this particular Friday—Christ’s resurrection from the dead on Sunday—was good. 

There are usually two sides to everything. The cross has two: a crucifixion side and a resurrection side. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus, for the joy of obtaining the prize on the other side of the cross—the resurrection—endured the pain. 

Jesus had to endure one side to get to the other. But if He hadn’t endured, then we’d all still be left without a Savior and no forgiveness of our sins.

Like Jesus, we have to endure difficult things. When we go through hard times, we can think of enduring as “to outlast the devil; to be steadfast long enough to let the trial do whatever it’s going to do in our lives and get from one side of the cross to the other.” We can trust that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV).

It’s comforting to know—and really believe—things will work out okay…even on a day like Good Friday, with so much suffering and pain. When nothing made sense and everything was hard, God worked it out for good—giving us the greatest blessing we could ever receive. 

When life is hard, remember that Jesus experienced hard times too…the road to the cross was no small matter. Be encouraged by the way Jesus handled trials. He knew the joy that was before Him and persevered until the end. He’s given you the power to do the same (see Romans 8:11). 

KEY SCRIPTURE:

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17 NIV).

QUOTE FROM JOYCE:

“We do not grow or become strong during life’s good times; we grow when we press through difficulties without giving up.” —Joyce

TAKE ACTION:

Take time to read and reflect on John 19—the Crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. Then write a note or prayer to Jesus, thanking Him for all He’s done for you. 

PRAYER: 

Father, help me to remember the pain and suffering of the cross, and all that Jesus was willing to endure, so I could be set free. He paid the price so my sins would be forgiven and I could have eternal life. Help me never to take for granted this huge gift of love. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:6, Philippians 3:10

Jesus Is Alive!

Sunday morning at the tomb was exciting! There were no tears, only awe and wonder and rejoicing. It was Resurrection Sunday—Jesus rose from the dead! 

Just think of the tomb where Jesus’s dead body lay. Consider how dark and cold it must have been. Roman soldiers stood outside guarding it. But on resurrection morning, the mighty, unmatchable, unimaginable, immeasurable power of God came into that dark tomb and filled it with light. God’s life flowed into the body that lay there. 

This same power is in us as believers in Christ! It’s a power that defeats the enemy, changes circumstances, heals sick bodies, and enables us to stand strong through the storms of life. It enables us to do anything we need to do, and it is available to us in unlimited supply.

The truth is, as believers in Christ, we don’t have to live weak, wimpy, pitiful, pathetic, barely-getting-by lives. We can have God’s power working in us to enable us to do whatever we need to do in life. But knowing you can have power from God to live in this world and learning to believe this truth and walk in it are two different things.

That’s why it’s so important to make a conscious decision in every situation to believe God’s Word more than what we feel or think or how things look. For example, Philippians 3:10 says we can actually experience the same power that raised Christ from the dead. 

In this verse, the apostle Paul says his determined purpose was to “know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]” (AMP).

This is an amazing and encouraging promise from God, because we all face problems and have weaknesses we can’t overcome in our own strength or effort. But if we are determined to rely on God in every situation, all the time, we can experience the power of His resurrection and rise above the challenges we face.

Today, celebrate that power! Jesus came for you. He loves you and came to give you new life. And because He did, you can live in His resurrection power and strength every day! 

PRAYER:

Thank You, Jesus, for saving me! Thank You that Your strength and power is alive in me. I know can rely on You in any situation I face. Help me to live each day experiencing more and more of Your power. In Jesus’s Name, amen.