THE RISEN LIFE

Easter came and went. There is a good chance that you hunted a few eggs, gathered with friends or family, and worshiped with your church.
Easter Sunday is one of the most highly attended church gatherings of the year. For many, it amounts to nothing more than a dutiful obligation, a day to reflect on a historical event but then to live as though nothing significant took place. 
But what does it all mean when the big day is over? Do we just put away the decorations like we do at Christmas and look forward to the next big celebration on the calendar? How does one get past the tendency to celebrate the date and learn how to live a life of resurrection celebration? How does one teach our children the importance that the resurrection has on our lives everyday?
 
Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was all part of the plan of Redemption. What Adam gave over to Satan in the Garden of Eden by disobedience, was taken back by one perfect Man’s obedience. God reclaimed THE BLESSING that was stolen in the garden of Eden and got His family back. He gave us back the dominion and authority that rightfully belong to us as His children.
Jesus triumphed! Colossians 2:15 says, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (NKJV). 
 
He triumphed over the devil, triumphed over all principalities and powers, triumphed over the kingdom of darkness. He disarmed every power that could take a stand against us.
Most Christians stop at the cross and don’t take full advantage of all that Jesus provided. But you can! Start today with these four ways to live in resurrection power every day.

• A Forgiven Life – Because Jesus went to the cross and overcame death, His forgiveness can turn our failure into acts of faith and faithfulness. We can place our trust in His death and resurrection and receive forgiveness for all our sins. If a mistake or regret haunts you today, subject it to the blazing light of the empty tomb and live in freedom.

Don’t beat yourself up over what God has forgiven. Accept His forgiveness and move forward with your life.
 

• A Meaningful Life – Apostle Paul drive this home in first Corinthians chapter 15. He said, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1st Corinthians 15:58).

 
Jesus’ resurrection gives meaning to our lives, and it is a truth we can bet out lives on. With boldness, we can tell others about the difference that Jesus makes. He seals our souls for eternity and gives our lives purposes for today.
 

• A Powerful Life – Because Jesus’ resurrection displayed unimaginable power, we also can live a powerful life today. The core message of the book of Ephesians is that the same power that brought Jesus back to life is available to us.

 
Paul wrote, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18).
The power of the resurrection is available no matter what we are trying to overcome. If God can bring back His son from death, He can fix whatever is messing up our lives right now.
 

• A Never-ending Life – Because Jesus has risen, we can live a never-ending life.

 
Jesus Himself said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).
 
Jesus triumphed over death and the powers of evils. That means we have rock-solid hope for the future. As Christians, we do experience sorrow when someone dies, but we don’t grieve like people who have no hope, because we do not have to fear death and the grave, we know the story isn’t over. Jesus is our tangible proof that the worst obstacles, even death itself, can be overcome. Because He lives, we truly can face tomorrow, and we can face each day with confidence.
 
The gospel is life-changing news. We don’t live in true freedom until we live risen.

​Whatever is overwhelming you right now, place Jesus in the center of it. He invites you to bring your burdens to Him, and He has proven He can handle it.