[Linking up this post with…
…because it leads to my journals…]
Is Easter over? Is the Resurrection done?
Certainly not! It rolls on and on…
That first day of His Resurrection, those disciples’ lives rose forever changed—from that day forward—for eternity!
May each yearly Easter celebration do that for me: change me forever, a little more than the year before. May I not just celebrate but also live the Resurrection more everyday after.
But how can I help that happen?
I turn toward the Resurrected Christ, I listen in on His conversations condensed in Gospels. I overhear, in His own words, instructions I do well to adapt,
adopt,
and follow:
“Rejoice!
“Do not be afraid.
“Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.
“Go [and] tell My brethren to go to [where] they will see Me.
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
“But (first) tarry in the city [where you are] until you are endued with power from on high.
…
“Do not cling to [the physical] me… not yet ascended to My Father. But go… and [tell that] I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.
“As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.
“Receive the Holy Spirit
Cast your net on the other side.
Bring me of the fish you have caught
Come eat my bread [I give you with your fishes].
Feed my lambs
Tend my sheep
Feed my sheep.
Follow me.
Lots of golden guidance there. I want to grasp it all, every part, take each and ponder, one by one, and together… consider how they can apply to me, and how I can apply them.
For today, let me focus on just this:
Rejoice!
That was His first post-Resurrection command…
…
I wrote or pasted it inside the cover of journal after journal, before I began to fill it with scribbles: my list of resolutions for the month, or for the time frame the journal would fill. The list took on changes, journal by journal. But one thing never changed: the first of the resolutions: “Rejoice in the Lord daily.”
Rejoice!
I might not always feel bubbly. Life might at times weigh heavy. Grief might even crush. But…
Even in the darkest night, the promise that He is with me.
That He has arisen,
that He has ascended,
that He sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding always, even for me.
That He went so He could prepare a place for me, for us,
that He could send the Holy-Spirit-Comforter-Helper.
That He is there and He is here and He is always with me, with us,
even to the end of the world, the age.
And a hundred thousand other things perhaps, gifts and promises in Him that are mine, as I am in Him.
They’re hidden in His word. Or, they shout right out from it. I need to look, to be reminded. To search for all the rejoicings there to own and hold and treasure in Him, as I am owned and held, and yes, even treasured, by Him…
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
-Philippians 4:4
*****
At least nine more reasons to praise Him, there, all from scripture. So…
Linked to
Oh, yes, the resurrection continues! And all those words – I needed to hear them, too – need to hear them again and again and again. Thank you for sharing, friend!
Hi, friend Mary! Good to see you here again, especially during what must be busy times!
I really appreciate this reminder today. Easter everyday!!
Ah yes, Jean, I have been needing this reminder myself of late. And I have kept coming back here repeatedly myself, just for that reminder. A blessed Forever Easter to you!
Sylvia- We are link up neighbors at Random Journal Day! How nice to see you again! I love this post…to live Easter everyday and the Resurrection power that is my truest desire…and the call to Rejoice! Rejoicing is what helps change my mindset, to rejoice rather than worry…what a good word for me today…and I love the list of the Saviour’s words those days before the Ascension! Hallelujah! Thanks for feeding us from His words today…fish and bread! Yum!
Hey, Kel! How good to be neighbors at RJD! (I keep getting messed up so often on what day Random Journal Day’s supposed to happen, I’d better post it on my calendar!)
And I’m with you too on that desire for Resurrection power and the difference rejoicing along with thanksgiving can make, especially using His own words of scripture. It can take me from gloom to glory! Yes, hallelujah!
I came on over here from our RJD link up and am so happy I did! This post Easter post is wonderful and just what I needed today! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Susie
Susie, I’m so happy you came over from RJD, too! So nice to “meet” you! Hope to “see” you again!
Oh and Hallelujah, Amen and YES! Beautiful. Oh, that our journals be filled with His glory. Rejoicing with you. Thank you so much for sharing!
Yes, Dawn (P), that pasting of resolutions just inside a new journal’s cover, especially starting with the “Rejoice…” is one of the places my journaling took a turn for the better. So happy to finally get the RJD date right! Hope to visit there more in the future! Thanks for providing this thoughtful link!