Five Things We Can Learn From the Resurrection Aftermath

Resurrection Sunday has come and gone. Christians world-wide celebrated the fact that Jesus’ power was on full display as He overcame death.

In the natural realm, what would the empty tomb represent?  "Empty" denotes void, barren, forsaken, depleted, and lacking. 

The disciples had just witnessed a level of devastation and grief they most likely never knew before. They were confused, lost, and scared....

For some, emptiness represents unfulfilled dreams, dashed hopes, and unmet expectations.  

Do you have an empty place in your life that requires a miracle?  Is your marriage on the verge of a collapse?  Is your child wayward and faltering in the world?  Do you struggle with acute physical pain and limitations?  Jesus can minister to you in whatever circumstances you face in life.

Here are five things we can learn from those closest to Jesus after the resurrection...  (John 20, 21; Luke 24; Mark 16)

1.  Our expectations are not always met.

When Mary approached Jesus' tomb she wasn’t expecting it to be empty. She had come with the other women bearing spices in order to anoint Jesus' body. The thought of a bodily resurrection had not crossed her mind - not yet of course.

2.  We generally don’t like surprises. 

We like things to stay relatively calm and predictable. Mary had already had her world turned upside down. Now she was fretting over the fact that her Lord was missing.

      3.  We often don’t recognize what is right in front of us.

Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. Her grief and pain clouded her perception. It wasn't until Jesus called out her name that she realized it was indeed Him. She didn't expect to receive that level of personal tenderness and compassion in her fragile state.

4.  We have an inherent propensity to doubt.

Thomas was missing in action when Jesus presented Himself to the disciples. We don't know why he wasn't there - but he wasn't buying any part of their story. He put conditions on his belief and lacked faith in their eyewitness account. He was in effect saying, "prove it!".

       5.  We frequently go back to old habits.

Peter had been in that empty tomb. He knew Jesus was raised from the dead. He saw Jesus when they had assembled in prayer and He showed Himself to them. Days later, Peter was feeling somewhat dejected and told the others he was going fishing. They also went with him, and after fishing all night, caught nothing... just as it was when Jesus found him on the shores of Lake Gennesaret.

So what does all of this have to do with us?  Well... everything. 

We often struggle when we forget that Jesus is alive and still in control.  How can we be so ignorant of those facts when His Word is replete with encouragement and hope?

The examples above end in victory for each one of them. They all became overcomers through the power and person of Jesus Christ. He will do the same for you.

Here is another post from the past to encourage you:   Turn Your Devastation Into Regeneration

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Five Things We Can Learn From the Resurrection Aftermath

Anger Management God's Way

Why can't you act civil?  Don't talk to me that way! Didn't you hear what I said?  I'm not yelling... I'm making a point!

How often do conversations and remarks get out of hand at your house?  If you're in a spiritually uneven marriage things can escalate rapidly.  What happens when you just don't see eye to eye?  I don't necessarily expect you to answer me - but I do know one thing...we all lose our tempers and react instead of acting with self-control.

Anger is a menacing thing - it simmers and stews and boils over.  It produces toxic poisons that seep into a relationship unless you take measures to stop it. There are many Scriptures concerning anger. Here's a sampling of them:

It is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control an army. ~Solomon (Proverbs 16:32)

A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls.  ~Solomon (Proverbs 25:28)

A rebel shouts in anger; a wise man holds his temper in and cools it.  ~Solomon (Proverbs 29:11)

Self-control means controlling the tongue! A quick retort can ruin everything.   ~Solomon (Proverbs 13:3)

A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.  ~Solomon (Proverbs 14:29)

A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels.  ~Solomon (Proverbs 15:1)

If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the sun to down with you still angry - get over it quickly;  for when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil.  ~Apostle Paul (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives.  ~Apostle Paul (Ephesians 4:31)

(All Scripture quoted is from The Living Bible - TLB)

Whether you are in a Christian marriage or in an unequally-yoked marriage, if you are a child of the King, you possess a different set of anger management skills than a non-believer.  God has equipped you with Spiritual sensitivity and an important component of your fruit of the Spirit; namely self-control.  

The Apostle Paul lists self-control last in the fruit array - but certainly not least (Galatians 5:22-23).  This particular quality enables the believer to mentally "pause in the heavenlies" before acting out in the flesh.  Christ in us provides us with a check in our Spirit man and the power to overcome our flesh in a time of weakness. Simon Peter writes in his epistle about our growth in the Lord, citing self-control as one of the keys to being fruitful in your walk in and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:5-8).

 So - what do you intend to do with your your anger?  How about no retaliation?  How about bury it in the sea of forgetfulness?  How about trading it in for constraint? 


Below is an excerpt from Mission Possible - Chapter 4 ~ Painful Reality

 "Many times, in discouragement I would say, "God, I can't do this anymore; I'm too tired."  Then I would hear God speak to my heart, "Yes, I know you are...just rest in Me and leave this at My altar.  My grace is sufficient for you...My strength is made perfect in your weakness" (II Corinthians 12:9).  He would say "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden [weary], and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Verse 29 specifically says "rest for your souls." 

When you are weary from the battle and tired of the struggles in your marriage, what Bible verse brings you guidance and comfort?

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Anger Management God's Way

Greener Grass or Just an Illusion?

You just witnessed a scenario play out in a local restaurant. The couple seated across the room was laughing, conversing and enjoying each other's company.  The husband actually beamed as he listened intently to her words.  They were so engaged with each other that they seemed oblivious to everyone else around them.

Maybe you observed a couple in church as they sat close to each other – reading the Word together and taking in the pastor’s sermon with great interest.  As the husband puts his arm around his wife, you feel a little uncomfortable sitting by yourself.

Perhaps you notice your neighbor’s husband strolling down the sidewalk with her by his side.  They are discussing something interesting because they nod and affirm each other's words repeatedly.

Here you go again – looking across the pasture to the grass on the other side of the fence… It looks so much greener. You just know it will satisfy you and fill that empty void.  Is the grass really greener, or is it just an illusion?

Be careful little eyes what you see --- Don’t believe it!  One of Satan’s clever tactics is to make you think you’re being deprived of something good.   John writes in his first epistle “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father, but is of the world” (I John 2:16).  Covetousness  is one of the sins of the eyes – and Hollywood gives us much to covet with regards to the “perfect” relationship.  Their standard is unattainable and unrealistic.  We must base our marriages on God’s Word and His beautiful gift of intimacy in marriage.  God is relational and we must work on our relationship with Him in order to mirror it in our marriage.

Your enemy’s greatest weapon is to create doubt – not only doubt that God loves you, but even more sinister – doubt that your own spouse loves you.  When you’re in a spiritually mismatched marriage, simply “replacing” your spouse will not solve all your problems.  You may know a couple that divorced and remarried – believing that the new spouse would bring a greater happiness or contentment.  Oftentimes this is not the case – but to the contrary – it often creates a feeling of hopelessness when the new spouse fails to live up to those impossible expectations.

Paul addresses the married believer in I Corinthians 7:10, 13-14, “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband…And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.”

God ordained marriage between one woman and one man – until death do they part.  Marriage isn’t a convenience until you’re not happy anymore, or until your spouse makes you angry, or until you find someone better.  It is an unwavering commitment – based on honor, integrity and devotion – not on feelings and mood swings.  (Please remember abuse is grounds for leaving your marriage)

Your husband may be one that chatters non-stop or hardly talks at all. Every man is different and in most marriages – communication is the key to survival.  We are still working on our marriage after thirty + years.  I tend to be more outgoing and verbal, and he is more reflective and quiet.  Sure makes for an interesting conversation starter.

What has been your experience in your marriage?  Do you struggle with envy and a runaway imagination at times?  Do you have any tips for others in this situation?

There’s a line in the song Rose Garden by Lynne Anderson that says, “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.”  

It's advisable to take off your “rose colored glasses”.   You will see that the grass is green – but not as lush and inviting as you first thought.  Best to stay in your own pasture...

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

http://www.Godmissionpossible.com

Greener Grass or Just an Illusion?