He's Not There

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,  but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus."
~Luke 24:1-3

What would you think if you went to the cemetery to lay flowers on a grave and found a hole in the ground with an empty coffin? I imagine the emotions would be varied and instant. Shock, anger, confusion, panic, to name a few. But would you think the person had just gotten out of the coffin alive and well? Probably not. Jesus did. He come back from the dead and hung around for well over a month continuing to teach. He appeared to His disiples, He performed miracles, and He gave the Great Commission.

"Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age' (Matthew 28:18-20)."

This statement is the basis for preaching the gospel of the Good News. What is that Good News? Jesus Christ left the glory of Heaven to become just like us here on Earth. He came here knowing He had just thirty-three years to live and do everything He had to do. He came knowing the horrible and painful death He would endure. But most of all, He came knowing that His life, death, and resurrection would be the most important events to ever happen. He came so that you and I would have everlasting life. His sacrifice for us cannot be overstated.

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many rooms. 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, that where I am you may be also (John 14:1-3)."

Even though God provided a sacrificial Lamb to be slaughtered so that you and I would not have to endure eternal damnation for our sins, He still left the choice up to us. For me, it wasn't a difficult choice because experience showed me I was adept at making bad choices but not so great with good choices. Even when I determined to do what was right, I still made a lot of messes. Living my life in the fullness of Christ is the only choice for me.

"For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,  but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin (Romans 7:19-25)."

In these verses, Paul discusses this very thing: doing what is right is an internal conflict but because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection we can rely on Him to help us win the battle. When Christ stepped out of that tomb, He gave us the right to step into eternal life with Him.

"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (John 17:3)."

Read Joshua 13-15

A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018

Renew Your Strength

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
~Isaiah 40:31

Recently, I watched a video of an eagle in flight. Someone had mounted a tiny camera on the eagle's head and then let it go. The earth, from an eagle's perspective, is amazing. I remember riding a roller coaster once that climbed slowly up and up and up to about forty feet in the air and then stopped when the first car was hanging over the top. I was in the second car, perched on the pinnacle and I could see forever, or at least it seemed that way. Forty feet in the air gave me a perspective that I wouldn't normally have, unlike the eagle, who sees everything from high above the earth.

Seeing the eagle's view reminded me of God's perspective. The Bible tells us God is exalted high above the earth (Psalm 113) and lives in a high and holy place (Isaiah 57). There is nothing anywhere on Earth that the Lord cannot see. He continually watches over His children.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him (2 Chronicles 16:9)."

To be "blameless" in the eyes of God means to be innocent of wrong doing. Even though we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), when we accept Christ as our Savior, we are blameless before God. It is then that we "renew our strength and mount up with wings of eagles" and are able to soar high above the worries and pitfalls of life. There is nothing in our lives, our minds, or in our hearts the Lord does not see. We are all stripped bare before Him. But in Him we can rest assured the plans for our lives are the best they can be.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
 neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9)."

Read Joshua 10-12

A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018

Kingdom Authority

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
~1 Peter 5:8

The greatest trick the devil ever played on mankind was to convince us he doesn't exist. But the the Bible is clear, the devil does exist. He is described in different ways - an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14); a prowling lion (1 Peter 5:8); a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44); a dragon and ancient serpent (Revelation 20:2); the tempter (Matthew 4:3); he is also called the enemy of God, the enemy of the church, the deceiver, the prince of this world, and many other names. But the bottom line is, he wants you to fail. But we have an advocate in Jesus Christ.

"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1)."

No matter what the devil may do, the lies he tells, or how he might exploit our past mistakes and failures, he can only do what we allow him to. When we take authority in Jesus'Name, the power of Heaven sends the devil running. 

The devil, just like everything else, was created by God, and holds no authority over us. We, who are children of the most High, have authority over him. We have Kingdom authority through the blood of Jesus, and when we exercise that authority, the devil flees.

In Matthew 4:1-10 Christ is tempted by the devil, but each time, Jesus answers with the Word of God. He is using Kingdom authority, and in verse 10, He says, "Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil leaves. We are also able to make the devil leave us alone when we use our Sword, that is, the Word of God. There is true power in God's Word and we when we use it like Jesus did, we will have true victory over everything in life, including the Wiles of the devil.

"I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)."

Read Joshua 7-9

A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018

You Know The Way

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.  In my Father's house are many rooms. 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, that where I am you may be also."
~John 14:1-3

Have you ever listened to a non-believer dispute the Bible and then ask for prayer when some calamity befalls them? As a chaplain, I have spoken with many who claim to be athiest, agnostic, Buddhist, Wiccan, owl loving tree huggers, and a myriad of other nonsensical beliefs. My father, who was raised by a minister, used to tell me, "When you're dead, that's it. There just ain't no more." But the Bible tells us something completely different. Psalm 14 says, "The fool says in his heart there is no God." Fortunately, my father figured that out and accepted the Lord as his Savior thirty years ago.

As a chaplain, I've prayed for many who said they don't believe in God. Some even told me they didn't think it would do any good but I could pray if I wanted to. I've seen many of those same people crying when I said 'Amen'. 
When people are hurting, in crisis, dying, or watching their loved one die, I've found they all want the comfort of knowing death is not the end. They may not all convert but in those moments, they all believe.

There are no atheists in hell. I don't mean that to be humorous, it's a fact. Once we die, we know the truth. We stand before God Almighty, and while I look forward to the day I see Him face to face, I can't imagine what it must be like for someone who has denied Him all their life. 

"How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:29-31)."

I accepted the Lord as my Savior many years ago but the longer I walk with Him, the more aware I have become of what it cost Him. As a wife and mother, I understand cost and sacrifice but I have never had to give up my own life to save one of my children. I have never had to give up the glory of Heaven to ensure all people have the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven. The older I get, the more aware I become of the price Christ paid to redeem my soul. It breaks my heart and makes me want to be a better person, a better Christian, and to share what I have in Him with others. That people can deny His existance breaks my heart.

"Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life (1 John 2:22-25)."

Hell was created for Satan and his demons, not for human beings. Don't let the devil fool you into believing God doesn't exist. 

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16)."

Read Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52
Psalm 90
Weekend reading
Deuteronomy 33-34
Joshua 1-6

A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018

The Battle Rages

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11)."

If you've seen any kind of news lately, you've seen a horrific rise in every kind of hate filled crime there is. We seem to be losing the battle between good and evil. In fact, it seems as if evil is winning. Everywhere we turn there are shootings, bombings, knife attacks, children totally out of control, and parents who don't seem to care. People don't seem to care. Everyone is so intent on blaming someone else they don't realize the fault lies within each and every one of us who has allowed God to be removed from our society. Including churches that have allowed the immorality of today's world to infiltrate the pulpit and become acceptable. And it's not just in America, it's worldwide and in every single part of society every place on Earth. 

"There is a way that seems right to man but its end is death (Proverbs 14:12)."

We blame the government. We blame guns. We blame God. But the blame lies squarely on each and every person who has denied the existence of God and allowed His word to be erased from this world. We have no moral compass without God. We have no lawful order without God. We have nothing but chaos, which is quite evident in life today.

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me' (John 14:6)."

As we look around and see the condition of the world, it is apparent something has to change. As the body count rises, so does the souls in hell. And as the song says, the devil is laughing with delight. The devil and his demons know how their story ends. Ours doesn't have to end that way, if only we follow the One who wrote the story.

"And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen Me and to those in which I will appear to you,  delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you  to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me' (Acts 26:15-18)."

Read Deuteronomy 29:1-31:29

A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018

Be A Fool

"And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.

And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”  And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord.  I will be a bigger fool than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.”
~2 Samuel 6:5,14, 20-22

This story of King David is one of my favorites. David was celebrating having possession of the Ark of the Covenant and worshipped the Lord with his whole being. His wife, Michal, wasn't too happy to see her husband dancing like a fool in the streets where everyone could see him. Maybe she thought because he was king, he needed to be a bit more respectable in public. Maybe she felt worship was something to be done in private. Whatever it was, the result was David telling her he didn't care what she thought, he was going to praise God openly.

Worship has always been my favorite form of communion with God. I like expressing my love for my Savior through worship in dance, movement, and sign language. I do not have a voice for singing but I am still very vocal in my praise. The Bible tells us the Lord inhabits our praise (Psalm 22:3), and I know it's true. Whether it's in church or at home, I put my heart and soul into praising and worshipping my Lord and Savior. Even though some people have found my particular form of worship distasteful, I'm like David - I will be an even bigger fool than this because my worship is not for people, it is for the Lord.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's (Psalm 103:1-5)."

Whether in church or at home, worship the Lord in whatever way your soul desires. Don't let pride or the fear of ridicule keep you from expressing yourself and worshipping in spirit and in truth.

Read Deuteronomy 27-28

A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018

Your Divine Appointment

"And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed."
~Acts 13:48

Did you know you have a divine appointment with the Creator of all things? We all do at some point in our lives, but sadly, not all of us keep that appointment. We've all heard stories of the man who had chest pains, made a doctor appointment but started feeling better, so he cancelled the appointment thinking it was only indigestion. Later on that night, he had a massive coronary and died. Not everyone pays attention to the signs our bodies give, and not taking those signs seriously can have dire consequences. When we don't keep our divine appointment with God, the consequences are eternal.

"When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (John 17:1-3)."

We don't like to think about eternity because we don't like to think about death. But the older we get, the more real death and and eternity become. The problem with that thinking is we don't all get to be older. People die young every day, and as heartbreaking as it is when a young person loses their life, knowing they never gave eternity a second thought is even worse.

"Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. (Proverbs 22:5)."

When we keep our divine appointment with the Lord, we are able to pass on His light and life to others, including those we love. The Lord knows each and every one us and desires an intimate relationship with us. As long as there is breath in our bodies, it's not too late to keep that appointment. 

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:12-13)."

Read Deuteronomy 23-26

A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018