Alleluia! Jesus is risen! Has this last week been one of the greatest weeks in your life, not because of what you've done, but because of what the risen Lord has done? Or are you still locked in the upper room with all the doubting Thomases and fearful disciples? "Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe!" (Jn 20:27)
"There is nothing to fear" (Rv 1:17). Jesus is "the First and the Last and the One Who lives" (Rv 1:17-18). He once was dead but now He lives — "forever and ever" (Rv 1:18). He is "rich in mercy" (Eph 2:4).
Respond to Him: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28) Because you believe, "many signs and wonders" will occur "among the people" (Acts 5:12). Because you believe, "more and more believers, men and women in great numbers" will be "continually added to the Lord" (Acts 5:14). Because you believe, crowds will gather, "bringing their sick" and those "troubled by unclean spirits" (Acts 5:16), all of whom will be cured (Acts 5:16).
Jesus is out of the tomb forever. Yet many parts of His Body remain entombed. We must roll away the stone of doubt and come out into the glory of the risen Son. Easter is for believers. "Blest are they who have not seen and have believed" (Jn 20:29).
| PRAYER: | Father, change my heart and my lifestyle. Through my witness of faith, bring many people to new freedom in Your Son. |
| PROMISE: | "There is nothing to fear." –Rv 1:17 |
| PRAISE: | "If we have died with Him we shall also live with Him" (2 Tm 2:11). Jesus, thank You for Your mercy. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College