Tuesday, May 08, 2007

There Is Power In Christ's Resurrection!

I just came back from a dinner appointment with some siblings-in-Christ to celebrate a belated birthday for one of the Lay Ministry Staff. It was quite interesting as we made it a surprise for her. All these while she did not suspect anything even to the point of fetching her to the restaurant on the pretext that we were sending her to meet a friend (who was also part of the plan) at a MRT Station.

Anyway, I praise the Lord for the time spent together - all 11 of us. As it was a buffet, we ate quite a bit. There were lots of meat. Having taken so much of them, I think I will be a vegetarian for a while. I got to know some of my brothers and sisters better - thank God for that. I was also shocked to see a sister being able to eat so much - she ate at least three times the amount I had. The amazing thing is that she is still so slim. Wow! Unbelievable! If I had consumed as much as her, I would have ballooned into a elephant!

I spent the whole day in church trying to prepare for the Youth Ministry (YM) lesson for this Sunday. I am supposed to teach on the resurrection of Christ and the hope that it gives to all who believe in Him. Though I can just speak on this topic, I thought it would be too boring for the youths.

I was unsure what to do - I basically went to the Fire Escape Stairways and took some time to pray for some inspirations. Thanks be to God for giving me an idea but it requires the assistance of some of the Youth Ministry Mentors (YMMs).

I called the YM Coordinator and spoke to him about it. I needed this dear brother to contact the rest. I hope those YMMs I suggested will be able to participate in a debate on the motion, "The Resurrection of Jesus Gives Us Hope". Well, I will pray from now till Sunday that all will go on fine and that the youths' faith in the Lord will be further strengthened after learning more about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I praise the Lord for allowing me to prepare for this topic because it reminded me that the Christian faith rest heavily on Jesus' resurrection. If He did not rise from the dead, then God would be powerless and we would be lost forever, following the teachings of a dead guy. Now it affirms in me that if God can raise Jesus from the dead then He has the power to do anything. This then gives me the ability to place my hope fully in Him as I know He has the power to help me in every area of my life! Isn't that amazing? Very refreshing thought!

I am quite tired. I shall go to church early again tomorrow to finish the lesson preparations as I may not have the time to do so on Thursday and Friday as I have a course to attend. May the Lord be my Guide.

Thanks be to God for today! :)

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28

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