2 Tim. 1:9-10 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was HIs plan from before the beginning of time–to show us His grace through Christ Jesus. And now He has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.
When God decided to make us holy and sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to do so, He didn’t leave anything undone or unfinished. Despite our religious tendencies and popular works mentalities, Jesus did it all on the Cross and there is nothing left to be added to that magnificent work. Grace encompasses everything and wasn’t meant to be tampered with. What does that finished work represent? Why is it that we can walk in the Sabbath day rest once having found and believed on the marvelous work of Calvary? Glad you asked!!!
1. He broke the power of death- the product of man’s fall and the crowning glory of the curse is the power of death. Man’s greatest fear and satan’s greatest ally were annihilated by the shed Blood of the Savior. When He laid His life down and took it back up again willingly (after leading a sinless life) He made a statement before heaven, earth, hell, time and eternity that the power of death was broken beyond repair. Praise Jesus!!! (I feel His anointing as I write this)
2. Illuminated the way to life- by the example of His life, death, and resurrection Jesus Christ showed us how to live here on earth in perfect harmony with the will of the Father. He showed us that no matter what we have done to destroy and sabotage our own future, He made a way of escape from the consequences of sin and death and released us into the joy of His Kingdom even while here on earth.
3. Illuminated the way to immortality- the greatest victory of the Cross and the bottom line of all that He did was to secure eternal life for all who believe on Him. John 3:16 says that “none would perish but all would inherit ETERNAL LIFE.” The Word of God and the work of the Cross provide for us and make plain to us that eternal life with Christ Jesus is our future if we will only believe on Him. I tell you what, I choose to believe! Nothing will separate me from the love of God that was made manifest on Calvary.
In a day where so many games, gimmicks, false doctrines, and greasy grace methods are being peddled far and wide, I choose to place my trust in the finished work of the Cross. There is no other way for me and nothing left for me to do in order to finalize my reservation in heaven. I challenge you today my friend, lay hold of the finished work of the Cross and enter into the rest of your salvation. Heb. 4:6-7

There is a very simple verse tucked in the end of Colossians 4 that has really been blessing me lately. It says (vs. 17), And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” This little verse has great meaning for those of us who are young ministers. (a young minister is anyone who has surrendered their life to the will of God, whether they are full time in the ministry or not really doesn’t matter)

1. You have a ministry!- Don’t allow the enemy or anyone else to convince you that you are not needed in the Kingdom and that God has not equipped you to do something special and unique for Him. Archippus wasn’t a “giant in the faith” like Paul or Peter but he sure got his name in the best-selling book of all time!

2. The Lord gave you that ministry- In His sovereign grace and goodness the Lord Jesus has entrusted you with a special assignment. That assignment must be carried out with integrity of heart and faith in Christ to succeed. You cannot accomplish your ministry alone or in the flesh. You need others around you to cover you, encourage you, and even sharpen you. You need complete reliance on the HS to guide your every step.

3. Be sure to finish your ministry- To carry out or complete in full will mean perseverance, faithfulness, accountability, and many other things that we can naturally resist as young ministers. We don’t know what was happening in Archippus’ life but something was missing or attacking him that caused Paul concern that he might not finish what God had called him to accomplish. Paul said these same words to Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:5b…and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. I like that word fully. That means there is a perfect place of accomplishment and fulfillment in God’s will that was predestined before your birth. Whether your discouraged, heartbroken, confused, or any other good reason for quitting, today the Lord says to you, CARRY OUT THE MNISTRY GOD HAS GIVEN YOU!!!

Something so exciting is happening this summer with the Lord opening a massive door of favor for 220. The old Compusa building next to the Mall of La is going to be ours for the months of June and July. It will be turned from an empty building into a beacon of light for young people all over BR. Nothing like bored teenagers coming and hanging out with our leaders and getting saved and discipled. There are so many things we are planning to do but I don’t have to to write about right now. For those of you in 220, get ready for the best summer ever! For those of you not in 220, pray for a mighty harvest of young people to be saved and added to the Kingdom.
Ps. pray for the 220 staff as we are just taking on more for the sake of the Harvest!

Year after year, century after century, the church marches on in its resolve to finish the Great Commission and usher in the return and reign of Jesus, our Savior, Lord, and King. On that determined march we celebrate certain days that remind us of what has happened that will inevitably determine where we are going. Easter is to me the most prominent of these days. The mark of time itself that says, HERE IS WHERE JESUS FINISHED EVERYTHING!!! What other day could possibly compete with that? I mean does Labor Day hold anything on that? or what about American Independence Day? The latter could be said to have similar tones of meaning but infinitely less important on the eternal landscape.

Tonight, as I reflect upon the anniv. of the Man who distinguished Himself as the only Man to lay down His life and take it back again, there abides a sense of true wonder and joy that should prevail in the hearts of all true believers for the holiday that stands head and shoulders above all others. This sense of wonder was first felt upon the report of the women to the disciples that Jesus was gone and angels declared Him alive. That wonder has remained throughout 2000 years of persecution and hardship. That wonder has caused wars to be fought, kingdoms to be divided, and families to be torn in two. That wonder has calmed the martyr’s heart on the night before execution, held the captive silent before the torturer, and steadied the resolve of men and women threatened by death in this world. That wonder is Jesus! That wonder is revolutionary! That wonder fills my heart with such passion and devotion tonight that my spirit could burst from within with pride for my Jesus. My Rescuer. My Redeemer. My loudly proclaimed Hero of Heroes.

My prophetic prayer and challenge tonight is that the God of Easter (who created the bunny but resembles a lion!) would be seen by the eyes of your heart. That the Son of Man would be glorified to new heights in your life and the priority of His preeminence would permeate every part of your existence. Easter is more than an egg hunt…it is the divine well-spring of eternal life! Forgive us Lord for missing it in years past and deliver us from commercialization and secularization of the Gospel and the celebration of Your unprecedented Resurrection. Jesus defeated death, hell, and the grave forever and ever. Celebrate this monumental feat with wonder and joy in your heart! Happy Easter!!! Praise you Master for His eternal victory over sin and the devil!!!

Matt. 28:5-7 Then the angel spoke to the women, Don’t be afraid! he said. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and He is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there. Remember what I have told you.