By Tonia Shroyer – Senior Pastor
Spring is a time of expectation and growth; a refreshing of the ground. Not only the ground where flowers bloom, but the ground of our hearts, too. It’s a time for what you have planted and hidden in your heart to sprout.
“Other [people], like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” Mark 4:20 NIV
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 BSB
It takes consistent watering and heat to bring a steady bloom. I’m expecting all of us to come into full bloom as we set our faces toward the sun and the Son, allowing the Father to grow a path designed for each of us.
“They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” Psalm 34:5 NKJV
Photo courtesy of Hippopx
It’s a special time of the year as people around the world remember, celebrate and rejoice in the resurrection of our brother Jesus Christ. I love this particular stanza from the song, “Up from the Grave He Arose,” also known as “Low in the Grave He Lay.”
Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose); He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
It was written in 1874 by pastor and hymn-writer Robert Lowry at his little pump organ at home, after reflecting on Luke 24:5-8.
“Arriving at the tomb, they discovered that the huge stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside, so they went in to look. But the tomb was empty. The body of Jesus was gone! They stood there, stunned and perplexed. Suddenly, two men appeared above them in dazzling white robes shining like lightning. Terrified, the women fell to the ground on their faces. The men in white said to them, “Why would you look for the Living One in a tomb? He is not here, for He has risen! Have you forgotten what he said to you while he was still in Galilee: the destiny of the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinful men, to be nailed to a cross, and on the third day to rise again?” All at once they remembered His words.” Luke 24:2-8
Resurrection Jesus (Religion) resurrection,jesus,yeshua,tomb,wall,old,stone
Photo courtesy of Pixy
What hope we have for the joy of knowing Jesus and calling him friend! We are definitely blessed to be seated with him in the heavenlies, where Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Be encouraged by this Word of the Lord for us in this time of expectation and victory:
I fulfill my Word, from the written page to what I have spoken into your heart. Hold fast to what I have commanded and to what you have glimpsed when you open your heart to me. SO many fall back from fear of the unknown, yet I have known you from the womb and have seen your days.
I have righted wrongs and showered you with my love, so trust me and step into my light. I have no false pretenses. I am what I have shown myself to be. My Son trusts me, will you?
When trust grows, there is flow. I yearn for my goodness to flow unfettered in your life; not to stop and go, but to free-flow. No obstacle can impede my plans for you.
Don’t stall and make excuses for what I have asked you to step up and believe. What I have with you is no one else’s business but mine and of those I appoint.
Honor for my Son is a key to unlocking questions you have held for years. My Word is a map to my heart and a revelation for the discovery of your own. Ask and expect more from us; we are waiting for you to engage and dive deeper.
I have created and spoken everything as layers to unlock if you begin. Don’t wait for understanding. A willing heart is an obedient heart, and I will confirm as you move. Focus on what I have established and continued from my written heart to you and not from what you have stopped or delayed.
My covenant with you is sealed in the blood of my Son. When he is your Lord, your ways are established, and our grace is your cloak.
Let’s walk together cloaked in that grace and covered by His blood! Remember, you are loved and you belong.