Greetings
Blessings to you and family.
Before we delve into the living Word, might I ask for feedback on the impact of the nougats on your spiritual walk? Drop me a private message using the medium of choice. This is especially for those who have been silent through the years. Today’s Holy Nougat carries a subtle challenge. May our hearts be ready to respond
“The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.” Acts of the Apostles 4:33 NLT
I remember being told in seminary that one core belief of the Christian is the resurrection of Jesus. In fact, that is what unifies us. Yet, there are those who are challenged to accept the physical body resurrection of Jesus. hmmmn
The big question for us, yes each of us, today is ‘what do I believe?’ Determining the content of our faith is not only for schooled theologians, but for each of us as we undertake this earthly life.
We SHALL be tested by the convictions of others or our own experiences, to the extent that we may need to take ALL the pieces apart to discern what we truly believe. Some early Christians faced these and stood their ground, hence the various creeds recited in some congregations. Others recognized that their faith was evolving and said, ‘we have no creed but Christ.’ More recently, others have prepared contextually flavored statements which have been offered to believers. And, whether you have uttered such or not, within you – within me lies core beliefs which govern how we live our faith.
Another noteworthy point is that the Christian faith is evangelistic. We tend to share what we believe with the world around us. Not always with our mouths, but our lives and actions. That being said, there are lifestyle implications of believing in a resurrected Christ.
For, if Christ is risen, He shall return. If Christ is risen, then the other promises are true (gotta do some research now, don’t take my word alone); including the assurance of divine peace. If Christ is risen, then the mandate to live our faith – discipling, healing, preaching is still relevant. If Christ is risen, then the specter of death is but for am moment, defeated and soon to be eradicated permanently. If Christ is risen, then there is a Comforter, an Advocate, the Paraclete, God’s Spirit of knowledge and understanding; poised (or already having our permission) to bless us beyond our hearts and minds’ ability to calculate. If Christ is risen, God is to be trusted and we have more to share, more blessings to encounter.
Christ is risen, the gifts await the believers. Come, receive. Come, walk in favor. Come, all things are ready!
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
