Power

No question about it. God demonstrated His power when he brought Jesus to life again. A human heart quits beating. The regenerating process of oxygen to the brain is cut off. Without life continuing to touch every cell, every cell starts to fall apart (decay).

So then, after several days of this, Jesus' body is brought back to life. That's power. In fact, it's not simply the power to start what has stopped. It has to be the power to reverse the destruction that has already occurred.

Sometimes I meet someone who says, "You don't want to shake my hand. I have a bad cold." I appreciate the person's concern and I am aware of how bacteria/viruses spread, but my usual response is to shake their hand or give them a hug anyway as I tell them, "There is more life working in me than there is death in you." OK, call me strange. But I truly believe it. Not only was my body spectacularly engineered to fight off attack but now because the "same Spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead" is in me, I have resurrection life in me.

I am not anti-medicine nor do I think the pharmaceutical companies and medical profession are involved in some evil plot. Still, you have to admit; the list of potential side effects from the drugs you hear advertised to "cure" some problem and the costs of medical treatment sometimes create more problems than answers. One honest doctor told me, "that's why we call it practicing medicine."

So, God bless them for their efforts and you for your desire to be healthy. I wonder, though, if we give God enough credit for His power to separate life from death and give "life to our physical bodies." I wonder if we have let the medical profession come between us and a God who gives life in abundance.

Next time your body is achy or feverish and you can tell something is not quite right, make the doctor appointment if that's what you think you need to do, but also try getting a second opinion - God's. Seriously. Say something like this. "God, you made this body. Nice job, by the way. Right now, though, something is going on that I don't understand. Since you do, would you let me know what I need to do? Thanks." Then, just be as quiet as you can in your thoughts and pay attention.

Note: It might seem strange at first to talk to God. The truth is that He is real and wants you to know him not just as a doctor with a second opinion but as the parent none of us have ever had. The way Jesus took care of people and healed them is a reflection of what God is like - so there you go. He can be talked to. He always responds to a request for healing, life, wisdom, and any other question you have. A relationship with Him will be like no other you have ever had. Some people have a really hard time believing in a God who cares or having the kind of relationship with Him that I'm describing. If you want to talk more about it you can contact me at daves@cityharvestchurch.com

Some of the quotes above come from the Bible. Google the following to see it for yourself - lookup rom 8:11

Easter

This morning I found myself wanting to talk to my grandkids. Actually, that happens a lot. But it is too early in the morning to call them so I decide to get an e-card ready to send later. (Ah - the wonders of technology; no paper, no envelope, no postage stamp, I don't even have to make a trip to the mailbox.)

Anyway, it's the Thursday before Easter so I decide to send them an Easter e-card.

To Avery and Pierce: Happy Super Fantastic, Mega-Excellent Easter! With LOVE! from Grampa. Of course I decide to add a couple of colorful pictures and such.

EASTER! Easter is a super fantastic, mega-excellent day. It's the day Jesus Christ overturned the death penalty for every human-being. Now, that's a cause to be happy.

If I were telling the story to Avery and Pierce it would go something like this:

First I would try to see if they know about things dying. Whether it is a plant, and animal, or a person, most kids can understand the basic idea of death. (Avery is older so she would probably get it.)

Then I would tell them that Jesus died and people who loved Him were very sad. I would tell them that people often like to go to where their friends are buried to think about their friend and the good times they had together.

But - here's the good part - when they went to where Jesus was buried, He wasn't there. He had come back to life. It was like they were all sad when He was dead but now when they found out He was alive again, they were jumping up and down and running in circles and just being crazy. They couldn't believe it. But it was true!

Their friend, who was dead for about 3 whole days, came back to life to have even more good times together. Isn't that cool and super fantastic, mega-excellent?

Well... isn't it?

"One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim Your mighty acts!" (Psalm 145:4)