A Goldilocks Life

He Arose!

Easter cross by Library of Congress is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

There is a church in the town where my son lives, and the sign out front this week says, “Silly Rabbit, Easter is About Jesus!” This is an amusing reference to the old TV commercial about Trix cereal being for kids, but it’s a good reminder. We consume jellybeans and buy stuffed bunnies, but Easter means much more.

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sin are the center of the Christian life and faith. One of my favorite hymns about the resurrection is “Christ Arose!” Written in 1874 by Pastor Robert Lowry, the song was inspired by Luke chapter 24, verses 5-8, especially the words of the angel at Jesus’ tomb: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” The hymn reminds me that Jesus’ resurrection purchased forgiveness and eternal life for me and everyone who trusts in Him.

The chorus ends, “He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!” Let’s worship and praise our Savior together this weekend.

Please take a few minutes to listen to “Christ Arose” sung by The Kingdom Quartet

Aim High!

I’ve been doing a deep dive in the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew Chapters 6-8. The section I’m studying lately is Matthew 6:19-24 labeled “Treasures in Heaven.”

In verses 22 and 23, Jesus says the eye is the lamp of the body. Our eyes are the barometer of our connection to the Lord. If our eyes are good (verse 22) our whole body (or life) will be full of light. This speaks of the light of God’s love and grace. If our eyes are bad (verse 23) our whole body (or life) will be full of darkness. This speaks of sin’s darkness blotting out the light that God gives.

When our eyes are good, we are focused on what pleases the Lord, and our affections and actions will be guided in His direction. When are eyes are bad, with a heart focused on us and what we want, envy, anger, griping, and grudging will result. Bible commentator Matthew Henry says if we aim at the glory of God, all actions will be gracious, “pleasing to God and comfortable to ourselves.” But wanting the approval and applause of men, we will “contrive to honor ourselves and seek our own things…”

Henry closes his comments on these two verses as follows: “The hypocrite soars like a kite, with his eye upon the prey below. The true Christian soars like the lark, higher and higher, forgetting the things that are beneath.” Will we aim for earthly pleasures and gains, comparing ourselves to people around us? Or will we aim high, looking to God as our guide and heaven as our goal? Let’s Aim High!

Just ASK!

Steve and I just returned home from the first follow-up appointment with his surgeon after knee-replacement surgery. The doctor removed the clear, waterproof bandage and steri-strips from Steve’s right knee and said the wound is healing well. That’s a relief. Now he may transition from walker to cane, and the home physical therapy ended this week. One thing is sure—my husband has experienced excellent medical care. We’ve called with questions and problems and received quick replies.

It’s the same with the Lord our God. He’s available every moment, and He knows our problems even before we express them. That doesn’t mean we don’t need to ask for help and trust Him. The Word of God reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. We’ve faced a few worries through this process, but knowing we’re under God’s care gives peace through theJesus tells us to ask for what we need: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7. Sometimes we may have to wait for an answer. The three key words—Ask, Seek, Knock—and what their first letters spell assures me Jesus Christ knew way back then that English would be a dominant language in our times. A.S.K. That’s what God desires from us when we need His help and direction.

Just Ask!