Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care…But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”         
Isaiah 53: 3, 5 (NLT)

“He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Matthew 26: 29 (NLT)

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Romans 10: 9-10 (NIV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2: 8-9 (ESV)

I wonder how Christ felt as things began to unfold toward the end.  

Through everything that was a part of going to the cross for us, and then the empty tomb of Easter we paused to remember yesterday.

He even asked that His Father accomplish the plan some other way than requiring the agony of crucifixion and separation from the Father. He wondered whether there was another way. 

He felt things and experienced deep emotions as we do. Feelings of sadness and joy.  

Then He was ridiculed, rejected, beaten, bled, crucified, and died.

All part of the plan.

Leading to the day of eternal hope—for all who believe in their hearts and confess with their mouths that He is Lord.

The tomb is empty.

All part of the plan. Believe.

So, how are you feeling today? Alone. Abandoned. Lost. Despairing.  

Remember, the tomb is empty—He’s standing next to you. Believe.

Everywhere you turn and look—you feel overwhelmed.   

But the tomb is empty—He’s got an idea for how to get through, over or around, whatever it is you face. Believe.

Too many days to count where you’ve felt lost, without purpose, not even sure why you’re here and what’s next.  

The tomb is empty—He knows the way. Believe. 

All part of the plan.

Or maybe you’re looking for a ray of hope. Just the slightest glimmer would do.  You’ve felt it before, but now, well, not so much.

And then you’re reminded, again, that the tomb is empty—He’s got your hand.

All part of the plan. Believe.

Christ the Lord is Risen. Christ the Lord is alive.

All part of the plan.

For you. For me. For now. Forever.

Believe. Share.

Happy Easter. He is Risen. 

All part of the plan. Believe.

In His Name–Scott

You will be blessed again, and again listening to Brooks and Dunn, joined by Jelly Roll, singing their song “Believe.”