Easter: Thursday, June 1, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Zechariah 4:1-14

This passage contains one of the more powerful verses in all the Bible, verse 6, ""This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." We can't do this by our might, or by our power, but only by the Holy Spirit. We can't walk as we should, we can't be who we should, we can't do anything with the power of God through us.

So often we are tricked into thinking that we can just be good enough, or work hard enough, or just do it through our own will power. If we can do any of that, there was no reason for Christ to have come. If we can earn it, if we can work hard enough, then it isn't grace. We can't save ourselves. We can't be good enough, we can't work hard enough, we can't give up enough. Not by our might, or by our power, but by the Lord's Spirit.

Now, by His Spirit, we can do amazing things. But, through our own power, we can do nothing. Today, are you trying to earn your way into heaven? Are you trying to just be good enough? Are you hoping that if you work hard enough, you will earn God's love? It doesn't work that way. It is a free gift, you just have to trust. Today, where is your trust? Is it in God? Or is it in your own strength?

New Testament Lesson

Ephesians 4:17-32

We see in this passage what it will look like when we live by God's strength. We see that when we, by God's Spirit, put away the old and put on the new, we will be different people. Too many people try to act like a Christin without first being one, and that gets old really quick, because without the power of God working through you, you can't do it.

If we place ourselves in Christ, then we will live as we should. We will not be perfect, for no one is, but we will be striving towards what God would have us to be. We will be different. God's grace will be at work within us. We will be different. If we are walking with Jesus each day. If we do that, all else will fall into place.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 9:1-8

We see that before Jesus healed this man, He forgave his sins. It doesn't matter what physical condition you are in today, your sins can be forgiven and you can walk with God, today. Jesus started this healing with the most important; He forgave sins. Today, it doesn't matter if you sick or healthy, rich or poor, whatever condition you are in. Today, Jesus wants to forgive you of your sins. Don't let your circumstances get in the way of His forgiveness. Not matter who you are or where you are; you can be forgiven today.