Embracing the Invitation of Hope: A Journey Through Revelation

Posted on by marc ulrich

Introduction:

Welcome to our blog, where we explore the profound messages and timeless truths found in the Bible. Today, we’re diving into the final chapters of Revelation, a book that often leaves us with more questions than answers. Yet, as we reach the grand finale, we discover an invitation to hope, a call to a deeper relationship with God, and a promise of a new beginning.

The Invitation to Hope:

Revelation is not just a book of visions and mysteries; it’s an invitation to hope. It’s a call to commit to a relationship with Jesus, to embrace the fullness of God, and to submit to His kingship. In a world filled with uncertainty and turmoil, Revelation reminds us that God is in control, and His love reigns supreme.

A New Heaven and a New Earth:

In Revelation 21, we are introduced to a vision of a new heaven and a new earth. This is not merely a replacement of the old but a radical transformation. The Greek word “kainos” signifies a change in quality and nature, a complete renewal. This promise of newness assures us that our suffering is not the end of the story. God is making all things new, and His presence will dwell among us.

The Promise of God’s Presence:

One of the most beautiful promises in Revelation is that God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain. This is a profound reminder that God’s presence is intimate and personal. He is not a distant observer of our pain but is with us, erasing our suffering and offering us eternal comfort.

The River of Life:

Revelation 22 introduces us to the river of life, a continuous flow of God’s grace and presence. This living water nourishes the new creation and invites all who are thirsty to come and drink. As believers, we are called to share this living water with others, to offer hope and healing in a world that desperately needs it.

The Tree of Life and Healing for the Nations:

The tree of life, with its healing leaves, symbolizes God’s provision and desire for all nations to be healed. This invitation is extended to everyone, regardless of race, nationality, or background. God’s heart is for all people to experience His love and grace.

The End of the Curse:

In the new heaven and new earth, the curse of sin will be no more. Our struggles and suffering are temporary, and God’s final victory assures us that He will make everything right. This hope empowers us to face trials with confidence, knowing that God is with us and will ultimately restore all things.

A Purposeful Eternity:

Heaven is not a passive existence but an active participation in God’s kingdom. We will have meaningful roles that reflect our gifts and talents, glorifying God in a way that brings us joy and fulfillment. Our work in heaven will be a source of life and purpose, free from the toil and frustrations of this world.

Reflecting God’s Light:

As we await the fulfillment of these promises, we are called to reflect God’s light in the world today. We can be agents of hope, offering love, joy, and peace to those around us. By living out the truths of Revelation, we invite others to experience the same hope and relationship with God.

Conclusion:

Revelation is an invitation to hope, a call to embrace the fullness of God, and a promise of a new beginning. As we journey through life, may we hold onto this hope, knowing that God is with us, making all things new. Let us live as reflections of His light, inviting others to join us in this incredible journey of faith.

Title: Embracing the Invitation of Hope: A Journey Through Revelation

Introduction:

Welcome to our blog, where we explore the profound messages and timeless truths found in the Bible. Today, we’re diving into the final chapters of Revelation, a book that often leaves us with more questions than answers. Yet, as we reach the grand finale, we discover an invitation to hope, a call to a deeper relationship with God, and a promise of a new beginning.

The Invitation to Hope:

Revelation is not just a book of visions and mysteries; it’s an invitation to hope. It’s a call to commit to a relationship with Jesus, to embrace the fullness of God, and to submit to His kingship. In a world filled with uncertainty and turmoil, Revelation reminds us that God is in control, and His love reigns supreme.

A New Heaven and a New Earth:

In Revelation 21, we are introduced to a vision of a new heaven and a new earth. This is not merely a replacement of the old but a radical transformation. The Greek word “kainos” signifies a change in quality and nature, a complete renewal. This promise of newness assures us that our suffering is not the end of the story. God is making all things new, and His presence will dwell among us.

The Promise of God’s Presence:

One of the most beautiful promises in Revelation is that God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain. This is a profound reminder that God’s presence is intimate and personal. He is not a distant observer of our pain but is with us, erasing our suffering and offering us eternal comfort.

The River of Life:

Revelation 22 introduces us to the river of life, a continuous flow of God’s grace and presence. This living water nourishes the new creation and invites all who are thirsty to come and drink. As believers, we are called to share this living water with others, to offer hope and healing in a world that desperately needs it.

The Tree of Life and Healing for the Nations:

The tree of life, with its healing leaves, symbolizes God’s provision and desire for all nations to be healed. This invitation is extended to everyone, regardless of race, nationality, or background. God’s heart is for all people to experience His love and grace.

The End of the Curse:

In the new heaven and new earth, the curse of sin will be no more. Our struggles and suffering are temporary, and God’s final victory assures us that He will make everything right. This hope empowers us to face trials with confidence, knowing that God is with us and will ultimately restore all things.

A Purposeful Eternity:

Heaven is not a passive existence but an active participation in God’s kingdom. We will have meaningful roles that reflect our gifts and talents, glorifying God in a way that brings us joy and fulfillment. Our work in heaven will be a source of life and purpose, free from the toil and frustrations of this world.

Reflecting God’s Light:

As we await the fulfillment of these promises, we are called to reflect God’s light in the world today. We can be agents of hope, offering love, joy, and peace to those around us. By living out the truths of Revelation, we invite others to experience the same hope and relationship with God.

Conclusion:

Revelation is an invitation to hope, a call to embrace the fullness of God, and a promise of a new beginning. As we journey through life, may we hold onto this hope, knowing that God is with us, making all things new. Let us live as reflections of His light, inviting others to join us in this incredible journey of faith.

Embracing the Gospel: Preparing Your Heart for Transformation

Posted on by marc ulrich

You might wonder why the idea of judgment and transformation is so crucial in our spiritual journey. How do we prepare our hearts to truly embrace the gospel and allow it to transform our lives? If you’re like many of us, you might feel overwhelmed by the complexities of life, unsure of how to navigate the path of faith amidst the chaos. But here’s the good news: the gospel is a powerful seed, ready to take root in your life and bring about profound change. The question is, are you ready to prepare the soil of your heart to receive it?

In our recent sermon, we explored Revelation 14 and the parables of Jesus, which remind us of the importance of being ready for the harvest. The imagery of seeds, soil, and harvest is not just about agriculture; it’s about the condition of our hearts and how we respond to God’s word. The main point is clear: we are called to prepare our hearts, to remove the rocks and thorns that hinder growth, and to allow the gospel to transform us from the inside out.

Understanding the Call to Transformation

The parables of Jesus, particularly the parable of the sower, highlight the different types of soil that represent our hearts. Some hearts are rocky, some are thorny, and some are good soil ready to receive the seed of the gospel. The key takeaway is that we have a role to play in preparing our hearts. It’s not just about hearing the word; it’s about actively engaging with it, allowing it to take root and produce a harvest in our lives.

Why is this important? Because the gospel is not just a message to be heard; it’s a call to action. It’s an invitation to let go of our pride, our distractions, and our self-centered agendas, and to embrace a life of faith and obedience. When we prepare our hearts, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of the gospel, allowing it to shape us into the people God has called us to be.

Taking Action: Preparing Your Heart

So, what can you do to prepare your heart for transformation? Here are a few practical steps:

  1. Reflect on Your Heart’s Condition: Take time to examine your heart. Are there rocks of pride or thorns of distraction that need to be removed? Be honest with yourself and with God about the areas that need attention.
  2. Engage with the Word: Make a commitment to regularly read and meditate on the Bible. Allow the word of God to penetrate your heart and mind, guiding your thoughts and actions.
  3. Pray for Transformation: Ask God to help you prepare your heart. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal areas that need change and to give you the strength to make those changes.
  4. Seek Community: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can support and encourage you on your journey. Share your struggles and victories, and learn from one another.

Conclusion: Embrace the Gospel’s Power

The point is that Jesus wants your whole heart. He desires to transform you into the person He created you to be. What will you do this week to prepare your heart for the gospel’s transformative power? Remember, without taking this step, you might miss out on the incredible work God wants to do in your life. So, take action today. Reflect, engage, pray, and seek community. Let the gospel take root in your heart, and watch as it brings about a harvest of transformation.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your gospel and the promise of transformation. Help us to prepare our hearts, removing anything that hinders your work in our lives. May your word take root in us, producing a harvest of righteousness and faithfulness. Guide us as we seek to follow you more closely each day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Navigating the Beasts: Staying True to Your Faith

Posted on by marc ulrich

Have you ever wondered how to stay true to your faith in a world full of distractions and challenges? You’re not alone. Many of us struggle with maintaining our focus on Jesus amidst the noise of modern life. In our recent sermon, we delved into Revelation 13, exploring the symbolism of the two beasts and what they mean for us today. The main takeaway? We must be vigilant and intentional in our faith, resisting the subtle lures that pull us away from God.

The first beast, emerging from the sea, represents the seductive power of governments and political systems. These entities often promise solutions to our problems, tempting us to place our trust in them rather than in God. The second beast, rising from the earth, symbolizes false religions and ideologies that can lead us astray. Together, these beasts form an unholy trinity with the dragon, mimicking the Holy Trinity and seeking to divert our worship from God.

So, what does this mean for you? It means recognizing that our ultimate allegiance must be to Jesus, not to any political party or worldly institution. It means being aware of the subtle ways in which our faith can be compromised and taking active steps to resist these temptations.

Here are some practical steps you can take to stay grounded in your faith:

  1. Prioritize Your Relationship with God: Make time for prayer, Bible study, and worship. These practices help you stay connected to God and strengthen your faith.
  2. Evaluate Your Loyalties: Reflect on where your trust lies. Are you placing more faith in political systems or ideologies than in God? If so, it’s time to realign your priorities.
  3. Engage in Community: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can support and encourage you in your faith journey. Community is vital for accountability and growth.
  4. Practice Discernment: Test everything against the truth of Scripture. Be wary of teachings or ideologies that deviate from the core message of the Gospel.
  5. Live Out Your Faith: Don’t just accumulate knowledge; put it into action. Serve others, love your neighbors, and live out the teachings of Jesus in your daily life.

As we navigate the complexities of our world, it’s crucial to remember that our hope and trust should be in Jesus alone. The beasts of Revelation remind us that there are forces at work trying to distract and deceive us. But with faithful endurance and wisdom, we can resist these temptations and stay true to our calling.

So, what will you do this week to strengthen your faith and resist the lures of the world? How can you ensure that your actions and thoughts align with the teachings of Jesus?

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your guidance and wisdom. Help us to stay focused on You and resist the distractions that pull us away from our faith. Give us the strength to live out Your teachings and the discernment to recognize falsehoods. May we always place our trust in You and follow the path You have set before us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Embracing Hope in the Midst of Revelation

Posted on by marc ulrich

Introduction

In our recent sermon, we delved into the profound and often perplexing passages of Revelation 10 and 11. These chapters, filled with vivid imagery and powerful messages, remind us of God’s unwavering faithfulness and the hope we can find in Him, even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty.

Understanding Revelation Through a Different Lens

Many of us approach the Book of Revelation with a sense of trepidation, viewing it as a mysterious and foreboding glimpse into an unknown future. However, first-century Christians and Jewish readers had a different perspective. They read these passages as a reflection of God’s past faithfulness, backing into the future with confidence in His promises.

The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll

In Revelation 10, John describes a mighty angel coming down from heaven, robed in a cloud with a rainbow over his head. This angel holds a little scroll, which John is instructed to eat. The scroll tastes as sweet as honey in his mouth but turns sour in his stomach. This imagery echoes Ezekiel’s experience in Ezekiel 3, where he too is commanded to eat a scroll that is sweet as honey.

The sweetness of the scroll represents the joy of receiving God’s word and the good news of the Gospel. However, the sourness in the stomach symbolizes the challenges and sacrifices that come with truly following Jesus. Accepting the Gospel is just the beginning; living it out requires surrendering our own agendas and embracing God’s will.

The Two Witnesses and the Power of Prophecy

Revelation 11 introduces us to the two witnesses, who prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These witnesses have the power to shut the sky, turn water into blood, and strike the earth with plagues. Their ministry is reminiscent of the prophets Elijah and Moses, who performed similar miracles in the Old Testament.

The imagery of the two olive trees and two lampstands signifies the inclusion of both Jewish and Gentile believers in God’s kingdom. The witnesses’ ultimate sacrifice and subsequent resurrection after three and a half days serve as a powerful reminder of God’s victory over evil and death.

Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering

John’s vision in Revelation is not meant to terrify us but to instill hope. Even in the face of evil and suffering, God’s faithfulness endures. The message of Revelation is one of hope and assurance that God holds the future in His hands.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to live with hope and joy, even in difficult circumstances. Our hope is not based on situational improvements but on the confidence that God is in control. This hope empowers us to face challenges with courage and to continue sharing the Gospel, even when it seems like no one is listening.

Conclusion

Revelation reminds us that God’s story is one of faithfulness, hope, and ultimate victory. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us stand firm in our faith, trusting in God’s promises and finding joy in His presence. May we continually prophesy the good news of the Gospel, praying persistently for those we love and living out our faith with boldness and grace.

Call to Action

Let’s embrace the hope that Revelation offers and live each day with the assurance that God is with us. Share this message of hope with others, and let your life be a testament to God’s faithfulness. Join us next week as we continue our journey through the Book of Revelation, uncovering more of God’s incredible promises for His people.

Underdog

Posted on by marc ulrich

One of my favorite narratives of all time is the story of the underdog.  Maybe it’s because of the way I was raised in a small Indiana town or the fact that my entire life I have felt like an underdog, struggling with dyslexia, my dad who has been MIA since I was born or the fact that I am built to withstand high winds.  Maybe it’s the fact that I have been a Cubs fan my whole life or a Notre Dame football fan. My sports teams usually have been underdogs for sure.

 

A few years ago, we were in the midst of a transition in our lives.  If I had to be completely honest, I was afraid that I was going to fail in my venture while in the midst of this transition.  It seemed like I was failing left and right. My wife and I had made the decision to move on from our positions with an organization that we had grown to love.  It simply was the right time to move on for the sake of our family and for our careers. As we explored the next several career options, doors were shutting left and right it seemed.  

 

I remember moping around wondering why God was seemingly holding me back from what I thought was my next season in life.  I wrestled through the thought of “am I really this big of an underdog?” I’ve kept a journal since I was 17. Don’t judge me.  It’s a journal not a diary! I’ve never written “Dear Diary…”. In that journal, I’ve told God “I don’t think you’ll ever be able to use me because I’m not qualified.  My chances are too slim. My reputation is pretty much screwed because of the decisions I’ve made in my past. I don’t have enough resources or the right connections.” These statements that I continually believed and told myself literally arrested my potential.  

 

Maybe you’ve told yourself some of those same statements.  If so, I want to give you permission to allow yourself to believe that you are significant.  You can be used to make this world a better place. You have the potential to be used for good.  Someone had to literally give me permission to believe that God wants to use me in order for me to believe it.  If you feel like you’re an underdog, if you feel like you’re not qualified enough or your reputation is screwed because of the decisions you’ve made in your past (even if your past is the last few seconds), you are not alone.  

One of the wisest women I know asked me a question during those ‘moping’ seasons of my life.  She asked me, “Why not you? Why shouldn’t you be considered for that job? Why shouldn’t you be considered for that promotion?  Why shouldn’t you be used to change this world for the better?” As I sat across the table from this amazingly wise woman, I couldn’t come up with any legitimate excuse.  So, I had to challenge this thought pattern that had been part of my life for as long as I could remember.

 

If you google parasite cuckoo bird you’ll discover something remarkable.   The cuckoo bird lays an egg that if undetected will kill the future potential legacy of the native bird and eventually may kill the parents of the native birds.  The cuckoo mamma bird lays her egg in the nest of a neighboring bird. The cuckoo egg hatches and kills the other eggs in some Survivor-style TV show. The parent birds have no clue what happened to their actual offspring and can only think of feeding the cuckoo bird.  If they don’t realize that the cuckoo toddler bird isn’t their real offspring, they will feed this bird nonstop exhausting themselves to the point of death. They will kill themselves trying to feed this bird that isn’t even theirs to feed.

 

Being told we are underdogs can kill the potential in us if we aren’t careful.  If we don’t detect the lies in our lives such as we aren’t qualified enough, our chances are too slim, we don’t have a good reputation or that we don’t have enough resources, we’ll kill the potential in our lives.  

 

At this point in the blog, we usually would go in one of two directions.  I could tell you that everything you need to succeed is already in you. I could tell you that you’re good enough, smart enough and doggone it, people like you.  I could tell you that God has put some amazing potential in you and that all you have to do is pray and seek Him.  That is usually how this goes, but I actually think there’s a different path.  Maybe there is the potential of a third direction. What if God does have an amazing plan for you full of potential?  What if you actually had to respond to God’s leading? What if you need to challenge the cuckoos that have been dropped into your life throughout the years?  Without challenging these parasites, we’ll never live up to our potential. Those cuckoos in our life will keep us from reaching our potential!

 

Cuckoos will usually look like a label that someone gave us.  Some of the labels might be ‘loser, fat, not good enough, wrong, bad person, slut, failure, punk or fired’.  Whatever the label, I’d encourage you to examine that label and compare it to what Jesus says about you. In spite of the label you might carry, Jesus found you worthy of giving His life for you.  

 

God has something amazing for you in store.  He created you on purpose for a purpose. You will need to respond to His leading though.  Life transformation usually doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s a series of decisions that allow God to move in our lives to transform us.  It might need to begin with you verbally declaring that you’re worthy or reading a portion of the Bible each day to grasp what God says about you.  It might be that you need to identify the cuckoos in your life and decide to challenge them. Whatever it is, I would encourage you to do something starting today.

 

Several years ago, I was on a trip and had to rent a car.  When the I got to the rental place they gave me an upgrade.  The car had GPS and I was in a parking garage with a very weak signal.  After the attendant showed me how the GPS system worked, I entered the address and expected the entire list of directions to be given to me at once.  I was frustrated because I couldn’t get all of the directions at once in order to determine if I should trust the given directions. The GPS system told me “the map will appear when the car is in motion.”  I had to trust to a degree, but I also had to put my car into motion. The same principle can be applied to my own relationship with Jesus.

 

I don’t know if I’ll ever receive all the directions to my relationship with Jesus at once.  It most likely is going to happen as I follow Jesus a little bit at a time. As I continue to follow Jesus, I identify more and more cuckoos in my life that don’t compare to what Jesus says about me.  As I identify them, I have to determine whose voice I’m going to follow.

 

Photo by Dan Chung on Unsplash

 

Revealing

Posted on by marc ulrich

Several years ago we bought a house.   This was the first house we owned. It was a pretty big deal for us.  There were some changes we wanted to make to it. The beautiful thing about owning your own house is that you don’t really need to ask for permission, you can just do it.  When we purchased the house, there was carpet throughout the living room and hallway. We didn’t really love the carpet and wanted it removed. One day, one of our friends, Aimee, was over.  We were discussing the carpet and she reached over in the corner and pulled up part of the carpet. She was amazed at what was underneath. Beautiful hardwood floors were covered by this dull boring carpet.  

 

We immediately started doing research on how to remove the carpet and how to refinish the hardwood floors.  After doing the research, we decided to move forward with doing this project on our own. I rented the sander, sandpaper and all the other necessary items.  

 

Now both Heather and I knew what to do.  We had watched several youtube videos. The guy at the rental store even told us what to expect.  That makes us experts, right? Well, even if we both understood what should happen, it didn’t prepare us for what happened next.  We removed all the carpet, tarped all the hallways and doorways etc. The rooms were empty. The house was prepared and there we stood waiting for the next move.  We prepared the machines and I stood in the middle of the living room ready to begin. As I started the sander and began the process, I looked over in time to watch my wife walk out of the house.  Even though we both expected it to be loud and messy, she needed a few moments to brace herself.

 

As we started this process, sawdust flew everywhere.  The old layers of stain and polyurethane were removed, revealing the true beauty of the floors.  

 

Even though we knew it was going to be loud and messy, we had no idea to what expect.  It was shocking to both of us.

 

Sometimes as a follower of Jesus, I know what to expect as Jesus begins working in my life.  I know that parts of my life will need to be modified. I shouldn’t return to sinful ways of living.  I shouldn’t click on that website. I shouldn’t rely on substances to get me through the day. As Jesus begins the process of removing my old ways of living, it’s painful.  I don’t like it. I sometimes want to stop the process.

 

Some of us have done that in the past.  We’ve stopped the process of maturity and renewal that Jesus wants to do in us.  The process of removing the old is just the beginning. The process of revealing our potential and beauty isn’t easy.  It isn’t fun. It’s actually messy, but it’s so worth it.

 

Once the process of removing the old is complete, we can begin to put on the new.  There would be no point in putting on the new until the old is gone.

 

I am reminded of a time when I foolishly tried to cover up a huge mistake I made with a tractor while on the job.  I accidentally ran the tractor into a concrete structure that scratched the paint right off of a decent sized area.  In order to not get fired, I decided to find the same color of paint in the barn and repaint the damaged area. My boss, the farmer, came into the barn the next morning and didn’t say anything.  The paint job wasn’t perfect but it was good enough to fool him… that time. I took the tractor out again to get some work done. When I returned it; however, the new paint had worn off. It looked so bad.  It was obvious that something had happened. I returned the tractor to the barn hoping my boss wouldn’t notice. This time my boss asked me what happened. I was caught. He mentioned to me that he thought the tractor had looked a bit odd in the morning.

 

I really tried to think of some excuse that would cover my butt.  In my 14 year-old-life, I had never really had to deal with something like this before.  When I admitted what I had done, he laughed. He knew the whole time. He had watched me run into the concrete structure the other day.  

 

He taught me the proper way to fix a major screw up like that.  The area needed sanding and I had to remove all of the other dust and debris before repainting.

 

That day I learned a difficult lesson.  In order to truly repair the affected area, the old had to be removed.  

 

There are so many kinds of lessons like this, whether it’s painting a tractor or refinishing floors to reveal their true potential.  There are times when we need to realize this lesson in our own lives. This is called discipline. When we encounter discipline, we can either avoid it or embrace it.  I’d encourage each of us to embrace it. Learn from it and mature through it. Avoiding discipline may allow us to ‘feel’ good, but in the long run, we are only going to repeat our foolishness.  

 

What area of your life are you avoiding discipline?  What area of your life, if you practiced discipline, would improve by simply embracing discipline?  Don’t avoid it. Don’t cover it up. Embrace the whole process! Your true potential will be revealed as you do!  

 

Hammock

Posted on by marc ulrich

A few years ago this image came across my computer screen.  I thought it was comical at first, but then I started to realize it was pure genius.  It’s pure genius because it is a perfect example of my life growing up in church. I grew up knowing all the right answers about the church, Jesus, and the Bible.  At times, I walked around thinking how great I was because I knew all the right answers.

 

In seventh and eighth grade I participated in a competition called Bible Bowl.  If you’ve never seen a competition, click here to check it out. It’s an academic competition to see who knows the Bible better than the other team.  I truly believe it started with good intentions, but no one, not even my Bible Bowl coaches realized I was only in it for the fame and millions of bonus points it promised.  I wasn’t even a follower of Jesus yet. I honestly had a desire to prove how smart I was and how great of a competitor I could be. My main goal was to crush my competition with my Bible knowledge.  I’m pretty sure that’s why God wrote the Bible in the first place right?

 

The problem was, I had no relationship with Jesus.  I only knew the facts of the Bible. I could push the button pretty fast, recite part of the Bible and come out victorious.  I really believed that knowledge of the Bible was good enough.

 

After a short career on the Bible Bowl circuit and realizing the promise of millions of bonus points was empty, I retired. The problem still was that I had no clue what I was supposed to do with this Bible knowledge.  I had no clue that this knowledge meant little to nothing in everyone else’s mind. It also did not actually make me right with God. I knew where to find the right answers. I knew the process other people should follow to be made right with God.  

 

I still found myself awkwardly standing, like the dog in the picture, in the presence of God.  I volunteered at my church. I attended church all the time. I read my Bible but still had no idea how to act.  I thought I had to perform for God. I thought I had to go through all the ‘right’ motions and have all the ‘right’ answers.  

 

I was 17 years old when I finally had a real come to Jesus conversation.  I found myself on the back porch on a spring night. It was past midnight on a Wednesday.  My student ministry pastor had just given one of the clearest explanations of Jesus and grace.  I remember my emotional response to the message. I can remember the smell of the building and the feeling of the wind as I drove home that night.  As I sat on the back porch alone, I lit my cigar and cracked open the beer bottle I stole from my step dad’s stash. Still not knowing what to do, I asked God that if all of what I had heard was really true, then what’s next?  What should I do? I was still like that dog in the picture above, trying to be comfortable standing in the hammock, instead of resting in the hammock.

 

After asking God what to do, He simply responded: “Rest in my grace”.  One of the parts of the Bible I read through that night was Matthew 11.  One of the verses in Matthew 11 says, “Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls”.  That night, I finally found the proper way to rest in the presence of Jesus. It wasn’t more knowledge of the Bible or emotionally driven worship songs.  It was simply resting in the presence and grace of Jesus. He bore the punishment for my sins. He endured hardships beyond measure so I could make right with God.  The issue we all need to face is that our personal sin separates us from the God who created us. God so loved the world that He sent his son, Jesus to the world, to save humanity.    

 

My prayer this Easter season is that we will all be able to rest in the grace Jesus offers us. Enjoy the hammock as it was designed to be enjoyed. Don’t just simply fit in it, but rest in the hammock.