Emotions
When Mary realized Jesus was alive, she was ecstatic. Mary's reaction was understandable. She wanted to retain that moment of ecstasy. But Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father'" (John 20:17). Mary was instructed to release her grip on Jesus and share what she'd learned with her friends. There are some experiences that are meant to be temporary, and we should not expect to retain them.
Don't feel guilty if you're not on one continuous high. Be realistic you can't stay on spiritual mountaintops forever. The test of our relationship with God is not emotion but obedience.
'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'
'Twas the night before Jesus came
and all through the house
Not a creature was praying,
not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain
on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing
Why Satan Hates Communion
Toward the end of a lengthy prayer, shortly before his arrest, Jesus said, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you” (John 17:20, 21, New Living Translation).
Jesus prayed for unity among his people because he understood that bickering Christians preaching love would be about as effective in spreading the gospel as a 300-pound man recommending a new weight-loss program. Everybody knows inconsistency kills credibility. When what you’re doing starts conflicting with what you’re saying, you’re well on your way to becoming a laughingstock.
Great People Do 4 Others
In last years NCAA basketball Final Four playoffs, I was interested in the statement made the coach from Kentucky prior to the game. He was asked, "Why has your team done so well? What is it about this team that has made it come as far as it has, because everybody wants to know about success?"
He said, "We have a motto on our team, and the motto is this: