Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
3 28 2024
When was the last time you loved something or someone so much that it made you cry? The last time you were moved to the very core of your soul and said I can’t live without them? To believe in something, to see something, to be a part of something so marvelous so lovable so indescribable, so unfathomable that it breaks you down into an emotional puddle?
I liken it to your first love, but on overloaded steroids, that never stop. A joy so overwhelming you are not complete without seeing, touching, or being near them. Someone who had just a glimpse of such joy and ecstasy coined the phrase “to die for”. What is that for you? How do you feel when someone accepts Christ? Shouldn’t that be an occasion?
The heavens declare the Glory of God” Ps 19:1
That is why the universe exists. It’s all about God’s Glory.
Floyd W. Tomkins said; “Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness,” Jeffrey R. Holland said, “He knows the way because He is the way”
Or perhaps we might be more relatable by saying;
“It’s not about the bunny; it’s about the lamb.”
Charles Wesley said, “Christ the Lord is risen today, sons of men and angels say. Raise your joys and triumphs high; sing, ye heavens, and Earth reply.”
Robert Flatt: “The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.”
Roma Downey “People come together with their families to celebrate Easter. What better way to celebrate than to spend a few hours going on the journey of Christ’s life.” (Isn’t that what Holy Week is all about?)
Isn’t that what Easter is? The journey of his life. How he came here, how he grew up, what his ministry was, and how he brought thousands of years of prophecy to life and truth? How he died for us and how he was raised from the dead? What a movie, a story, a life-changing revelation of eternal truth! No it’s more…What a proclamation of love from the one Holy God of the universe to save every child that would accept him to an eternity with God himself! When you stop for a while and look up, you can see it and feel it.
Phillip Brooks: “Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, ‘Christ is risen,’ but ‘I shall rise.'”
We are part of that story! He loved us first and came to save us for an eternity of tomorrow’s to sing his praises.
How glorious to recognize that truth? How tragic to call ourselves a Christian but read it like it was a best-selling novel to place on the shelf tomorrow.
Martin Luther said: “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”
Think about that…every leaf, everything green, literally everything comes to life according to his word.
It sings a melody of Hallelujah’s “Our God Reigns”.
For each of us, it is a second chance or a third to recognize Jesus for who and what he is and come home. Like the prodigal son…he is awaiting our return to bloom again. He is the giver of life, the restorer of life, the healer, and the promise keeper.
John Piper said, “If we could only understand that the deepest longing of the human heart is to know and enjoy the Glory of God. We were made for this. Isaiah 43:6-7 “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth…Whom I created for my Glory” To see it, to savor it, to show it…that is why we are here. Romans 9:23 The physical eye is meant to say to the spiritual eye, “Not this, but the Maker of this, is the desire of your soul” Romans 5:2 says we were “prepared beforehand for the glory
of God”.
So, would you prepare your heart, soul, and mind for this Resurrection weekend?
That he might, make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy” Romans 9:23
We are all starved for the Glory of God, not self. No one goes to the Grand Canyon to increase self-esteem.
His name is Jesus Christ, Risen Lord, King of Kings.
Pray that he gives you a heart overflowing with praise for his Glory.
P.S. You can forward this email
to a couple of your friends. If they would like to sign up to receive these
morning devotions, they can do so at this link: http://eepurl.com/gKlklD
Come Join Us this Sunday the 31st
at Raymond James Stadium
for our Easter Celebration. We are bringing all our campuses
together and are praying for 35k to 50k people to attend. Invite your
friends and Families.
Tony Dungy, among others, will be speaking. We will be
tailgating by Gate B for breakfast from 8 am to 9:30. Please come and bring
your family and be sure to look for me.
Service is at 10”30 Check us out at
https://gfcflorida.com/easter
Waymaker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsypFJ5mNw0
