What Now?

There is a lull that always happens after a big climax to something in life. In the case of the resurrection, everything has been leading up to this point and now it has happened. The difference with the resurrection is it was not a static event. It was active. The cross, the grave, and the resurrection was the "beginning" of everything. Did you get that? EVERYTHING!! Here is what must happen next according to Jesus. We must first really believe in what the Word of God says. All of it! Jesus confirmed the belief of Thomas and what he said when He truly believed is what all of us should say every moment of every day.

John 20:24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Believe that Jesus is who He says He is. 1 John 4:15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

Believe that He is helping us everywhere we go. John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Believe His light is shining through us. 1 John 1:7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Believe and be bold in our faith. 1 John 2:28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. 29 Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

Believe and have the greater faith. John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

It all comes down to one thing and it means living and believing and taking the next step. He is not dead. He is risen, and this is the beginning of real life and real purpose. Live it!!

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Today's Message,

David Warren