Betty Whitaker Jackson

So, we’ve sung “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!”, we’ve eaten the festal feast of ham and scalloped potatoes, had our fill of egg salad from all the colored Easter eggs, and consumed more chocolate than at any other time of the year. So, how, besides the calories and the memories, do we apply Easter so that it changes our lives and those of others?

Paul, in Philippians 3:12-14 compares life to a race, the race set before us. Here’s how he puts it: “i don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to posses that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

We are called to spread the story of Jesus to the far ends of the earth, to preach the gospel, to heal the nations, to baptize, to serve, in Christ’s name and through the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence. The end times began the morning the stone was rolled away, and there are times constraints. For one of these days, when we least expect it, Jesus will return to judge us on what we have attained for the kingdom. How have we kept that commandment to tell the nations about Jesus?

Here’s my beginning. Do all the good you can for all the people you can, pray diligently for the strength to accomplish the tasks set before me, and thank God every day for Easter and the hope it provides for the world.

My Psalm 164: Praise to You, Lord

Mighty among the nations,

Strong against all foes,

Just in all Your ways

Yet compassionate and loving

Toward Your people. Your mercy is everlasting

Your presence is ever with us

You guide our very footsteps

And erect high walls of protection

Around your people.

Today we ask for Your blessing

As we come before You,

Praying for strength to do Your will.

Praying for compassion for Your saints,

Praying for opportunities to share Your Word,

Praying for blessings as we walk the pathways

You have prepared ahead of time for us to walk.

We pray we may be instruments of peace today,

Especially to widows and the fatherless.

We pray Holy Spirit, for Your guidance

To lift them before You

At just the right moment of their need.

Give us the words to say,

Allow us to minister in Your Name,

And we pray protection for those in need

Of our care, for those grieving,

For those You have sent us

To love, in Your Name. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.