Friday, April 28, 2017

Fresh Beginning Devotion













Fresh Beginnings

By Susan Marlene

April 17, 2017

“Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Matthew 27:63 & 65 - 66



The sun had already risen that early morn at the beginning of the week on the third day.  Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome made their way to the tomb to anoint their precious Jesus. Who would roll away the rock for them? Surprise shook awake any lingering slumber and shoved aside grief with a fresh desire to run. The guards were not to be seen and the huge rock—rolled aside—allowing free entrance. Fear sped their feet into the tomb.


“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He is risen!” The young man clothed in a long white robe—sitting on the right side—seemed to wait for their arrival in order to offer a message bursting with fresh beginnings. A message and warm welcome they’d not expected.


How so like our Lord, to show His power when the world expects weakness. To create wondrous blessings out of our deepest griefs. To bring hope and joy when the world is shrouded in darkness and despair.


His Word is alive and active, rich and strong and creative. Relationship with Him dissolves religious trappings that always follows the old-form boxed-in traditions without locating the heart. His grace drew the masses, His love conquered hate. His presence ignited life in His followers. Every changed heart and saved soul is a miracle and new beginnings abound where His life is evident.


We are writers and the challenges lie in the tilt of our pens. Will we align ourselves to relay His character in our hero’s natures. Will our stories alarm and grip our readers because we write what matters? Will our heroic themes influence our readers to be more, feel more, and stretch further to find the highest and best? Wouldn’t that be something—to discover that what we wrote introduced others to their fresh beginnings. What if our words were used to free people from the discouragement and harshness that living can bring and introduce them to the one who matters most?  


He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her


 desert like the garden of the Lord, joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving


and the voice of melody.


Isaiah 51:3


 

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