What draws people together today, Easter eggs and gourmet dinners? Or is it much more? Easter is a time when we experience humble love and forgiveness, whether or not we have new clothes or food to eat. Do we dress ourselves and our tables beautifully and perfectly but are imperfect in prayer and love for others? Why not have the JOY of Easter everyday, "...for HE has risen..." (Matthew 28:6). Living in HIS PERFECTION EVERY DAY, WITH LOVE AND PRAYER. LET US NOT BE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT. A MOST BLESSED EASTER TO YOU.

"...there was darkness over all the land..."; today's modern science cannot explain this as a solar eclipse, because a solar eclipse can only come during a new moon. The Passover occurred during a full moon. "...the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom..."; no longer was GOD separated from man and no longer was an animal sacrifice sufficient for any person to come in the Presence of GOD, IT TOOK THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. "...the earth shook, rocks were split..."; this could just be an exhibition of what GOD'S wrath could be like (this was recorded by Roman writers in other countries too). "...the tombs opened and the dead came alive..."; this is proof of CHRIST'S power over death and the grave, (Matthew 27:45-61). Read and ponder all that happened, DON'T JUST JUMP FROM THE CROSS TO THE RESURRECTION!

Isaiah 55:11, "So shall MY Word be that goes from MY mouth; it shall not return to ME empty, it shall accomplish MY purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." A young boy I know became dependent upon drugs. Even in "rehab" his motivating thought was when could he get more drugs. He would tell his parents and doctors he would not stop drugs because they made him feel good. Many continued to pray for him even though it seemed like a "lost" cause. Many may have viewed him as "rain in the desert"; why does GOD let it rain in the desert where nothing will grow? Why do people "waste" GOD'S Word on "hardened hearts" where "good" will not be multiplied? Just as the rain falls to the ground and returns to the Heavens in a different form; GOD'S Word often falls on a hard and barren heart by GOD'S design to give proof of HIS fullness and mercy. It leaves people without excuse (the person who hears, and those around him) and justifies HIMSELF. GOD is watering in the most unlikely places (like rain falling on a rock or in the desert), HE is watering people with HIS Grace and making them fruitful as they return to Heaven again, in a different form being much fruit; the harvest of many Souls. GOD'S Word falls on all and it accomplishes the Whole WILL and PLEASURE OF GOD. The Word returns to GOD with DIVINE ENERGY, it is the power of GOD for our Salvation. The young man at the "Rehab" center has now found the "HIGH" of "ALL HIGHS" and it is not drugs; he takes his Bible everywhere in the center preaching to the other young people. In fact they call him, PREACHER SAM!

If someone considered you as their friend and took your place in the most terrible situation imaginable, for something you had done, how would you feel?  Would you regret your actions that caused them to suffer?  Would your thoughts of them be uninterrupted and focused?  Would you constantly feel loved?  Would it bring a mixture of tears, JOY, excitement and humility?  And if anyone ever used their name in vain, or disrespected them, would you tell them that was your FRIEND and to STOP?  John 15:13-14, "...lay down HIS life for HIS friends. You are MY friends..."  And what if HE was a stranger, WOULD HE BECOME YOUR FRIEND?

Because of Goliath's size, the Israelite soldiers saw him as invincible but David just saw a bigger target. 2 Timothy 2:7, "Consider what I say, and the LORD give you understanding in all things." Here we to consider, think about and ponder what is said. We are instructed to rise above natural reason to the very core of the SOURCE of all Truth. Understanding is not just knowing the Truth, it is agreeing with the Truth. When we agree with the Truth we have Spiritual Peace and Prosperity. Wisdom is the desire to know GOD; Understanding is the humbleness and reverence to agree with GOD. When we consider, think about and ponder; begin to UNDERSTAND, UNDERSTANDING.

The author of the "Peanuts" comic strip (Charlie Brown and Snoopy) once asked a series of questions. First, name the last five Heisman trophy winners, Second, name ten people who have won the Pulitzer Prize and finally, name the last six Academy Award winners for best actor and best actress. Although these "winners" were the best in their field, could you remember? Now, First, name a few teachers who helped your journey through school; Second, name three people who helped you through some difficult times; Finally, name someone who has taught you something special and made you feel special. The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most money, most credentials or most awards. They are simply the ones who care most! John 15:5, "...Whoever abides in ME and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, and apart from ME does nothing." WILL YOU BE ONE OF THOSE, SOMEONE REMEMBERS?

Wisdom and knowledge is defined for us, by those who have neither. When we know JESUS, know that we are Saved, and are going to live with HIM forever, nothing else matters. Isaiah 50:4, "The LORD GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustian with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning HE awakens; HE awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught." As HE comforts us, we are able to comfort others. Maybe WISDOM is living for what really matters, JESUS. I DON'T HAVE TO BE SMART, TO HAVE WISDOM.

When Kings came riding on a horse, they were exhibiting their power and bent on war but Kings would arrive on a donkey when they wanted to point out that they were coming in peace. The Palm branches symbolized victory and represented Eternal Life. When people wanted to remember something, they would mark their hands and fingers with the image they did not want to forget. Isaiah 49:16, "Behold, I have graven you upon the Palms of my hands..." Even with all JESUS knew HE was going to go through, HE never stopped thinking about us! Can we say the same about HIM when we face trials and tribulations? Praying that today GOD'S Abundant Grace gives us thoughtful moments. Maybe Palm Sunday will expand the depths of our understanding to include PALM "SON"DAY. AMEN.

We talk about having a "Revival" like we talk about looking forward to Spring. We want the "freshness", the "renewal" and the "purity" around us, but we don't want to change ourselves to experience it to the fullness. We want others to change but we want to continue our selfish ways. Our Churches have become so anemic that they worship GOD as "they" have created HIM in their image, and not GOD as HE is revealed in the Scriptures. Do we really want a "REVIVAL"? Revival is not some emotion or worked up excitement, it is an invasion from Heaven that brings a conscious awareness of GOD; it is a DIVINE interruption of our way of life; Revival is a renewed passion for holiness, righteousness, worship, prayer and witnessing. Acts 3:20, "that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD." Without "Revival" we continue to "clean up the surface" but never scrub the heart. If you were asked what you thought happened in a "REVIVAL"? Would your immediate response be, CATHOLICS, JEWS, BAPTISTS AND PENTECOSTALS all sitting in the same pew with their hands raised, shouting HALLELUJAH!

Do we experience subtle apathy and passionless moments which confirms our efforts are nothing more than "checking" an item off our "to do list"?  A "to do list" that lacks compassion and passion.  Do we make it the driving  part of our lives so that there is no doubt or hesitancy as to our "SOUL" purpose?  Do we want to live another moment without HIS all consuming passion inside of us?  Or, do we aimlessly bump along repeating the same things day after day without passion and compassion?  1 Corinthians 9:26, "So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one "beating the air". Today, NO checklists, NO to do lists; just ask JESUS to give us HIS passion and compassion about everything and then we will have no regrets!  I DON'T THINK JESUS HAD A "BUCKET LIST"!