January 28, 2025
So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there. (Matthew 28:8-10 CSB)
In His presence is fullness of joy. (Psalms 16:11)
Imagine all that the followers of Jesus felt after His crucifixion. All hope was gone. They had left everything to follow Him, placing every ounce of their faith in Him and His coming kingdom. All that was crushed as their King seemed helpless before godless men. He, who they thought was the Son of God, died a horrific death.
Fear gripped them, for as His followers, they rightfully assumed they would be the next to be rounded up by the Pharisees and turned over to the Romans. Everything looked completely dark.
BUT THE TOMB
We don’t know why Mary Magdalene and Mary went to the tomb. But they could not stay away, drawn there by God’s hand. But when they came, they were not met with darkness but blinding light. A brilliant angel was waiting just for them on the massive stone (rolled aside now) at the entrance of the empty tomb. Then they heard the twelve most powerful words in human history:
He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said! (Matthew 28:6)
When they went running to the disciples to tell them, they were filled with “fear and great joy” as those two overwhelming emotions flooded their souls … until they came into the presence of the resurrected Christ!
“Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” (Vs. 10)
“You have two overwhelming emotions,” Jesus was saying, “but as you’ve come into My presence, one can be shed like a heavy coat on a warm day. You no longer need fear … just joy.”
Their fear was gone, as it always is when we encounter His near presence. When we are in the presence of pure love, His perfect love casts out all fear (see 1 John 4:18). They now ran with nothing but joy and spoke with bold abandon. They had been in His actual presence. They had held His feet and worshiped Him. All was well.
ARE YOU FEARFUL?
Worried and bothered? Consumed with anxiety over so many things? God invites you—even commands you--to worry about nothing, which seems impossible. But that liberating freedom from fear is as available as the sun rising in the mornings, if you will follow the whole command.
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6)
If you enter His presence all day and talk to Him about everything, your fear will evaporate like the morning dew. It is no longer needed. In its place will be only joy.
It’s what you will always experience if you live a Presence-centered life.
January 29, 2025
It is not something that everyone possesses. Sadly, most do not. It is not that it is inaccessible or unavailable, but many have not heard that it is possible or feel they are fully sufficient without it.
But for those who have recognized their need and asked God to deliver them from a life without Him, they have been given an undeniable and extraordinary gift.
January 24, 2025
Each of us has a higher job description, whether we acknowledge it or not. It is not determined by man but by God. He made us in His image—fearfully and wonderfully. He designed us like He is so we can join Him in what He does. Each man and woman has a specific sphere over which they are to lead and oversee … and we will one day give an account of what we’ve done.
January 23, 2025
We are sheep, pure and simple. We are wayward and foolish at every turn. But as we humbly come to the end of ourselves and gladly surrender to the Shepherd’s care, we begin to know the level of care and leadership we were designed to enjoy.
