Resurrection Power for You

When Jesus was arrested in the garden, the disciples panicked.

Peter went berserk.

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jn 18:10 NIV

Then Jesus was arrested, and the apostles fled.

All of them deserted him and fled. Mk 14:50 NRSV

Peter tried to remain faithful, but he too failed.

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” Jn 18:25 NRSV

Jesus prepared his disciples very well for this tough test. Nevertheless, they failed.

Jesus had given them wonderful promises.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. Jn 14:1–3 NRSV

These marvellous promises in the Gospel of John are also for us. Perhaps the Holy Spirit has personally communicated comforting assurances, as he did with the apostles at that time. Nevertheless, you have often failed, and so have I.

Take courage. Jesus visited the apostles after His resurrection. Then He gave them His Holy Spirit and glory.

God transformed them.

Jesus understands that we don't just need Bible knowledge and doctrines. We often need powerful experiences and dramatic visitations because we are weak without God's presence.

Jesus also wants to transform us, you and me. Expect God to do something powerful in your life. Don’t be content with passive conformity to evangelical customs and formulas.

God is our Help in Trouble

 We are threatened on every side. We see the world around us spinning out of control. We want to understand the situation better, but who can we trust? We see fear and anger on the internet.

Many hope for protection from vaccinations and other health measures. Others fight desperately against compulsory vaccination.

 But what is often lurking in the back of our minds? Fear and anger.

But Covid is not the only problem. When we are infected by fear and anger, we often become extremely stressed.

• No wonder when we experience depression, bullying and loneliness.

• No wonder when the people around us do not think clearly or communicate lovingly.

• No wonder when friendly discussions become difficult.

• No wonder when we find ourselves in heated debates, even with good friends and our partners.

We are all in a very trying time. Most of us are insecure.

You may feel secure in your faith, and then life hits you hard.
Recently, two very good friends of mine have died.

What is happening in your family, in your church, in your job or in your circle of friends?

Illness, death, unemployment, burnout, arguments, bullying?

No one can cope with this crisis on their own.

I have been weary and emotionally drained lately.

I desperately need help from a loving almighty God.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23 ESV

Don't Submit to Religious Bullies

Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV)

If a woman is subjected to relentless bullying by her husband.

If a woman’s children are tormented, abused or corrupted by her husband, 

...then the only way for that woman to turn away from wickedness may be for her to leave her husband and take her children with her.

This principle should take priority over her wedding vows.

The same principle applies if you are a member of a church where bullying and abuse is rampant and being covered up. If there is no other way to stop the evil, you must leave, regardless of your position. 

If you are a pastor, an elder, a priest or a nun, it makes no difference. You must depart from evil.

If your father or husband is a predator or accomplice, that does not oblige you to be silent or to stay.

"Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
Of course, if you are a mother and you cannot leave without losing your children, it may be necessary to stay for that reason, but don’t let yourself be deceived by guilt sermons about the sin of divorce.

"Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

Corona Virus and Your Faith

If I walk into the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me. Psalm 138:7 (HCSB)
 
Are you rather anxious right now? That’s a normal reaction.

We're threatened on all sides. Even if you're not infected with the virus, your job could still be in jeopardy.

The devil is cruel, and he is desperately angry now because he sees his end is near. Jesus is coming back.

But if you are a son or daughter of God, you are on God's side. When the enemy attacks with sickness, fear and death, you have God's authority to release the healing power of Jesus.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV)

Peter summarised the ministry of Jesus in this way.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 (NLT2)

Jesus had sent Peter and the first apostles as his representatives to continue his own ministry on earth.

So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." John 20:21 (NKJV)
 
But this great commission was not given only to the first apostles or the first Christians.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Mt 28:19 (NLT2)

The apostles only reached some nations but Jesus spoke of all nations. There are still many people and many tribes who need Jesus.

Many Christians in China have given their lives to save others in times of intense persecution. 

We have the same truth as the faithful disciples in the bible time and also in our own time. We have the same Holy Spirit as Paul, the same healing love as Peter.

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:5 (NLT2)

The devil wants to torment and torture people, but we have a good God who wants to heal and restore us.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Psalm 91:5-7 (NLT2)

Do we pray for revival? Wake up! Let God Himself move in your own life to release His healing love and power.

A Time for Courage

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) 

Many times in the Bible, God says to His people: “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid.”

• In some texts, God is telling His people their fears are imaginary, that there is nothing to be afraid of at all.

In Matthew 14, the disciples were in a boat in rough weather. When they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought He was a ghost.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Mt 14:27 (NKJV) 

When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, he reassured her.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. Lk 1:30 (NKJV) 

God’s people have nothing to fear from supernatural manifestations of heavenly glory.

On the other hand, there are situations where we have real reasons to be afraid but God calls us not to be afraid anyway.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Mt 10:28 (NKJV) 

Here Jesus is saying Do Not Fear even though you face savage persecution and possible martyrdom. It is a call to courage and faith in God’s salvation. 

• It is also a warning to remember God’s punishment for cowardice.

God Is Love

As we read the Bible, we see again and again, that there are two essential aspects to the love of God. 

These are comfort and challenge.

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  

Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Mt 4:18-19 (NKJV)

What a blessing, to be invited to live full time with Jesus and to be given the power to get men and women saved, to rescue them from damnation! 

• But what a challenge to leave the security of a successful family fishing business and to live by faith in God’s daily provision!

I have a friend who was once a committed Muslim in Saudi Arabia. 

• Muslims have no assurance of salvation. They live in the hope that they might be good enough to escape hell fire. 

When George came to know Jesus, he had the comfort of knowing the God who really loved him as His dear son. 

Some Muslims desire such a personal relationship with God but their sacred writings offer no hope for such a fulfilment.

• But it was a challenge to be rejected and persecuted in his own country. It was a challenge to flee to Australia as a refugee.

God called him to study for a doctorate at an Australian university where there are a lot of Arab Muslim students. Not one of them escapes Georges personally targeted preaching of Jesus.

Once George spoke to an Arab Muslim missionary on campus, one of many militant Muslim missionaries sent around the world financed by oil rich Arabs.

“Why do you preach Islam?” asked my friend.
“Because I want to go to heaven,” replied the Muslim missionary.
“That is very selfish!” said George. “I know I have a home in heaven. I preach Jesus because I want OTHER PEOPLE to go to heaven.”

We have the comfort of knowing God has prepared a home for us in heaven.

We have the challenge or reaching others with the Good News of God’s kindness.