“While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.” Matthew 28:11 NIV.

The women went looking for Jesus at the tomb and instead found an angel of the Lord who told them that Jesus wasn’t there. Then the angel told them to go on their way and tell the others. On their way to tell the others, Jesus met them.  The women responded with worship. He encouraged them, “Do not be afraid,   go and tell the others.”

The women went “on their way” following Jesus’ instructions. “While the women were on their way”, the guards, who had been guarding the tomb, went ahead to give a report to the chief priests – the religious leaders of the time.

It is interesting that the guards at the tomb were Roman soldiers and instead of reporting to their superiors in the Roman army they went to the religious leaders. Why?  Well, it was the religious leaders who had petitioned the Roman Governor Pilate to place guards at the temple and to seal the tomb.

Interesting that the guards at the tomb were really the first witnesses of  Jesus’ resurrection. They reported everything that had happened to the chief priests: the earthquake, the angel, the empty tomb.

Has it ever occurred to you that while you are on your way to witness others are also doing the same for different reasons? Has it ever occurred to you that not everyone who shares the good news of Jesus’ resurrection does it with the right motivation or for the right reasons?

The women were “on their way” to give news of what had happened –the earthquake, the angel, the empty tomb, Jesus meeting them – to the disciples who would perhaps receive the news as hope. The guards were “on their way”  to give the news of what had happened to the chief priests who would definitely receive the news as despairing.  The women were filled of joy and the guards were filled with fear.

On the way to do God’s bidding, are you joyful or fearful? On the way to give an account of what Jesus has done in your life, are you doing it for you or to honor Jesus?

Pray Proverbs 14:25 Acts 4:20

Heavenly Father, on the way to do your will may I do it to honor you. On the way to share the good news of your love for us so great that You sent your Son to die for us, may I do it to draw attention to You and not to me.

Holy Spirit, guide me to all truth, I want to be a truthful witness that saves lives.

Let it be, O God, that I cannot help speaking about what You have done for me.

I could Sing of Your Love Forever!

“Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:10 NIV

The women had gone to the tomb looking for Jesus and had instead found an angel of the Lord. He told them to “Go and tell” the others that Jesus was not at the tomb, He had risen and He was going to meet up with them.

On their way to do as instructed, Jesus met up with them. He affirmed them and they responded with worship.

And Jesus repeated the instructions, “Go and tell“.

The women when they saw Jesus, they fell at His feet, hugged His feet and worshipped. You would think that Jesus would have lingered there allowing them to express their love to Him. And yet, He loved on them by reassuring them to not be afraid and reiterating the instructions they had received, “Go and tell”.

Have you ever been met with a ‘suddenly’ of Jesus and have become undone in His Presence ?  When was the last time you just wanted to linger there, in His presence? When was the last time you’ve wanted to express your love to Him by just lying there on your knees, on your face? Or face lifted up, lost in His presence?

And He says, “Go and tell”.

There will be a time when we will be face to face with our Creator, in the presence of Our Lord, totally immersed in the Holy Spirit! There will be a time when we will bow before Him and worship Him eternally in song and praises.  Revelation 5:13

Today, our worship to Him is to do His will!

“Go and tell”.

Will you streamline your schedule, align your finances, strengthen your relationships, to “Go and tell”?

Pray  Acts 13:47  Isaiah 6: 8

Heavenly Father, I worship you! I lay my life before you! You are worthy to receive honor and praise! I want to worship you through song and dance! I want to clasp my arms around your feet and worship.

I thank you because you love me and you also love the world. And you have made me a light to the lost that I may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Lord, help me to answer the call. I want to answer the call. Send me, Lord. Holy Spirit use me to bring the good news of the Kingdom to those around me.

Give me the courage and desire to obey you and go and tell!

People need the Lord!

“Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.” Matthew 28:9 NIV

The women had left hurriedly from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, running to tell the others what the angel had told them. The tomb was empty. Jesus is alive!

Suddenly–quickly and unexpectedly–without warning, Jesus met them. On their way to do what the angel instructed them to do, Jesus met them. On their way to tell others that Jesus was not in the tomb, Jesus met them. On their way to share with the disciples that Jesus is risen, Jesus met them. Suddenly –quickly and unexpectedly–without warning.

Webster Dictionary defines ‘suddenly’ as ‘happening unexpectedly; changing angle all at once; marked by abruptness; brought about in a short time.’

If you haven’t started out to do what God has asked you to do, get on your way. There is about to be a ‘suddenly’ of the Lord.

Get ready. Be obedient. Be expectant. Mark 13:33  Be vigilant. Be prayerful. Be about the Lord’s business.

There will be a suddenly of the Lord, an unexpected intervention of the Lord, a new thing, a new season. He will meet up with you as you obey. He will meet up with you as go on your way and share.

A “suddenly” of the Lord  is a moment when God surprisingly breaks into time and space with an intervention of the Kingdom. This suddenly will bring you such awe that your only response will be to fall on your knees and worship God.

Pray Revelation 2:7 Acts 12:7 2 Samuel 22:50 

Heavenly Father, give me ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to me. Give me a hunger for your Word. Give me a passion for prayer. Give me a love for the lost.

Lord, I will obey your Word! Lord, I will spend time in dialogue with you! Lord, I will share your love with the unloved, the lost, the least! And I will speak of your love for them!

Father, I expect you to intervene suddenly in my life, my family, my congregation, my community, my city, my state and my nation!  I will be vigilant.

I praise you God for you are worthy of all praise. I give you honor for you are worthy of all honor. I worship you everywhere!

Show me your glory, Lord!

“So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” Matthew 28:8 NIV

The angel of the Lord met the women who went to see Jesus at the tomb. He told them that Jesus was not at the tomb, He had risen! He instructed them to go and tell the others. The women did as instructed.

The women left the tomb in a hurry–perhaps because they couldn’t wait to tell the others.

Can you imagine the news?

“Wow, wow, wow! Guess what? We went to the tomb, we didn’t find Jesus, but that’s okay, because there was this angel; I mean he had to be an angel, because he was big and shiny and he was like lightning, and he told us that Jesus was not in the tomb because He had risen just like He said He would, and then he told us, not Jesus, because He wasn’t there but the angel, the angel told us to come and tell you that Jesus was going to meet up with you!”

Perhaps they were rehearsing all this on the way to tell the disciples, or not. One thing is for sure, they left in a hurry, “afraid yet filled with joy”.

The women left “afraid yet filled with joy” to tell the disciples. Perhaps they were afraid that the soldiers, who had fell like dead when they saw the angel, would get up and follow them to arrest them and the others. Perhaps they were afraid that once they delivered the news the disciples wouldn’t believe them or Jesus wouldn’t show up. It really didn’t matter.

They were “afraid yet filled with joy” and they “ran to tell his disciples”. 

Have you ever been filled with joy because of what God has promised you and yet afraid that the promise would not be fulfilled? What if no one believes you when you tell them what God has given you to say or do?

It really doesn’t matter. Even if you are afraid, you run to share because it will build your faith up and when what God said would happen happens, the others will also believe.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 The MESSAGE

God will never let you down. The name of the Lord is a strong tower (Proverbs 18:10). The Lord is mighty—the Almighty (Revelation 19:6). He has made many promises, and He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23)

Pray Psalm 9:1-2; Psalm 91:1-2

Lord, I give you thanks with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds;  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Even if I am scared, I will be quick to give witness of what you have said to me. I will share of what you have done in my life because I live in your shelter. I am safe in your shadow, Almighty God! You are my refuge and fortress. I trust in you.

Even if I am scared, I know that you will be with me and it fills me with joy to know that you will go before me and you will never leave me.

I am not alone!

“Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28: 7 NIV

The angel of the Lord appeared to the women who went to the tomb of Jesus. He told them to not be scared. He told them,  “I know you are looking for Jesus. Let me tell you –He is not in the tomb. He’s risen just like He said He would. I am going to show you that the tomb is empty and then you have to go quickly and tell others”.

“Then go quickly” , the angel instructed the women. Don’t stay to wonder how this happened. Don’t try to figure it out. Don’t start asking questions. Just “go quickly”.

How many times has God asked you to do something and you lingered behind?  How many times have you peppered your prayers with questions?  Do you “go quickly” only after you have wrapped your head around it?

Sometimes you just have to say what God told you to say. Sometimes you just have to do what He asked you to do. All the time you just have to “go quickly”. Obey.

Obedience positions you for blessing. Pastor Gerry Hartman likes to say, “Delayed obedience is disobedience. Partial obedience is disobedience. Obey God and leave the consequences of obedience to God.”

“Then go quickly” and tell other that Jesus is alive, that Jesus is risen. “Then go quickly” and tell others that Jesus is alive and wants to meet with them. “Then go quickly” and be a messenger of hope, a messenger of good news.

“Then go quickly” and ask for forgiveness. “Then go quickly” and forgive. “Then go quickly” and make that phone call, write that note, share your story.

“Now I have told you.”

Pray 1 John 5:2; Philippians 2:13;  Romans 1:16; Luke 11:28 ; Psalm 37: 3 -6 

God, I am your child and I want to show my love to you. I want to obey your commands. You are the one who works in us to will and to act in order to fulfill Your good purpose. Work in me, O Holy Spirit. I want to go quickly and tell others about Jesus. I want to hear Your Word and obey it. Be quick to ask for forgiveness and quick to forgive.

I commit all my ways to You, obey You and I trust in You, Lord.

I Will Go!

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6 NIV

The women went to the tomb looking for Jesus after he was crucified. They were met by an angel of the Lord. He told them they are looking in the wrong place. Jesus was not at the tomb “just as he said”.  In case the women wouldn’t believe him, the angel showed them the place where He was but where He no longer is.

When Jesus was among us, He chose His disciples, He modeled for them, He instructed them and among the things that He told them, He told them:

• He was going to suffer many things, He was going to be killed and He was going to be raised from life on the third day. Matthew 16:21
• He was going to the Father for our own good. Unless He went away, we would not receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide us. John 16:7-15

Jesus suffered “just as he said”, He was killed “just as he said”, He was raised on the third day “just as he said”. The Holy Spirit came “just as he said”.  The Holy Spirit is available to guide us “just as he said”.

God – Father, Son, Holy Spirit– will do what He said He would do.

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

What are you worried about? What doubts do you have about God’s promises? What has God spoken to you that you have not yet seen fulfilled?  Do you need to go and see the empty tomb? Do you need to revisit where you once were and you no longer are to remember that God is faithful to His promises?

Pray Psalm 119

Teach me, O God, to trust in you. Your Word is trustworthy and true!

I place myself, my family, my future in your hands. You will keep me and watch over me. You will provide me what I need and open the doors for me that need to be opened.

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your commands and obey them with all my heart. I want to position myself for blessings and position my family for blessings. 

I know not because I feel it but because Your Word says it, “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,” 2 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

He’ll Do It Again!

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.” Matthew 28: 5

The women who went to the tomb of Jesus Christ were startled by the appearance of the angel of the Lord until he told them not to fear. “I know that you are looking for Jesus.”, the angel said.

The guards were at the tomb to discredit Jesus. The women were at the tomb to mourn Jesus. The angel was at the tomb to proclaim JESUS has RISEN!

When  you are at the “tomb”- going through circumstances and situations in your life that cast shadow over your faith, do you turn on Jesus or turn to Jesus?  Do you proclaim the power of His resurrection?

Are you earnestly, passionately, diligently, looking for Jesus?

God knows what you are truly seeking after and He will guide you if “you are looking for Jesus.”

Looking for Jesus is not seeking for His signs, the manifestations or the miracles. Looking for Jesus is to seek His Presence, to seek to abide in Him and He in us.

When you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29NIV)

When we abide in Him and He in us, no matter where we find ourselves, we proclaim His glory not because of what we see but because of what we believe -and because we know Him. We no longer approach situations from the ground level like the guards or the women. We approach situations from the heavenly perspective, like the angel.

“It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.”  2 Corinthians 4:13-14 NIV

Seek the Lord diligently and proclaim His power! Do not speak the circumstances in your life but declare His promises. Proclaim the power of His resurrection! Give Him glory!

Pray 1 Chronicles 16: 8-11 NIV

Lord, I give You praise and I proclaim Your Name for what You done and what you will do! I want to tell others of your wonderful acts. Make me bold. My heart rejoices as I seek You. I look to you and to Your strength. I seek your face always. Forgive me if I have looked for your power and your gifts and ignored Your Presence. Be merciful and give me the desire to abide in You and You in me.

I want to be seriously passionate about my faith, show others who “are looking for Jesus” the way and worship Your Holy Name!

Bless the Lord, O My Soul!

“His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.” –Matthew 28:3 NIV

The angel that appeared by the tomb of Jesus Christ, the one that rolled the stone away, had an appearance of lightning and “his clothes were white as snow”.

There was no doubt in the mind of the women that went to the tomb that this was a messenger from God. You see, when you see lightning, it pierces the darkness. Even if it is daytime,  lightning brightens up the place. When lightning strikes, it draws your attention to brightness.

“His clothes were white as snow” – the angel was wearing clothes that had no shadow, shade, stain, or darkness.

“His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.” – The women knew that this was a messenger from God because there was no darkness about him.

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 NIV

Every message that we receive, every messenger we accept, if they are from God, there will be no darkness about them.

Who are you getting your messages from? Who are you going seeking for direction and counsel?

“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ”  1 John 1: 6 NIV

Are you being a messenger from God? Are you telling His Story? Will the people around you believe you because there is no darkness in you?

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all  sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1: 7-10 NIV

God does not require us to be perfect but He does command us to be obedient. It is not that we will never do anything that will dishonor God, although we strive everyday to honor Him.  It is not that we will never miss the mark, although we endeavor to live a life without sin.  It is that we must promptly recognize that we have fallen short and confess before God and sometimes to one another.

Unconfessed sin is darkness in us and gives satan, the prince of this world, a hold on us. 1 John 5:18 NIV  John 14:30 NIV

Pray Hebrews 4: 16  Psalm 51

“Heavenly Father, I thank You for your love for me. I thank You that you have given me the privilege to approach You with confidence, knowing that You will be merciful towards me and will help me when I need it. I need to be a light in the dark places. I need to have no darkness in me. Forgive me, Lord,  for thinking, saying, acting in a manner that does not honor you and for not being the light in all circumstances.