Celebration At "Son" Rise

Matthew 20:11 – 22 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,  And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

This year our weather here in Dalton was similar to the time that Jesus died on the cross so many years ago. According to our calendar we celebrated Good Friday this weekend and showed reference to Jesus for all the suffering he endured so that we could have life everlasting. Friday night the thunderstorms were out all around us and there were a few folks that lost power. So just imagine on that evening so many years ago when Lord was hanging on the cross and finally said, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and he gave up the ghost. This is when the thunder and lightning began to fill up the sky. It was dark yet it was the middle of the day.

Last night as the thunder and lightning filled up the sky it seems to be reminding us of just what a blessing we were given. This morning was beautiful, bright, and clear just as it was on the morning following His death. The three days he was in the earth He was fighting for mankind, past, present, and future; but it’s when He walked out of the grave that we have a reason to shout from the highest mountain and even in the lowest valley.

The storms of today can be overwhelming and can keep our mind in such a turmoil which causes confusion, depression, and oppression. No one is exempted from these torments, the young, the old, the middle aged; Satan is out to kill, still, and destroy everyone and everything but I thank God that He has no teeth, just a loud roar. We face these troubles every day but yet we can smile, laugh, and have such a peace knowing that one day very soon Jesus will return for us all.

I had a wonderful experience the other day during a storm that I would like to share with everyone. When it came time for me to come home from work it was storming pretty badly and since I left my umbrella in the van I waited around for it to ease up before I would get out on the highway. When I finally got in the van and on the highway the storm picked up again and since it was coming at me my vision was slim. I slowed down to about 45 mph and I went ahead and put my flashers on so the ones behind me could see me a little better. I had my gospel disc a going and I was just enjoying the ride home and singing to the Lord. I have a water leak in my car around the edges of the upper windshield and at times it gets on me when driving; I suddenly felt a brush against my right shoulder and I immediately looked up at the ceiling of my van expecting to see where the water was dripping from but I saw nothing. I felt it again and then I realized that it was the soft touch of an angel wing. I was blessed to be raised in church so I always knew I’m never alone and I could usually tell when their guard is up but I have never been able to feel them around me in this manner. I got so excited and began to have church and when I was only about 5 miles from my exit off the highway there was a beautiful colorful rainbow all the way across the highway. I felt the Lord reminding me that even in the darkest storms sunshine can be found. I love the Lord so much and I thank him for this wonderful blessing that He shared with me.

There are different little things such as these that are happening every day and that Jesus is trying to let us know that even though the storms are raging and Satan is roaring, Jesus is alive and well and He is always with us. He said He would go with us, even to the ends of the earth. Now it won’t be long before He returns to take us home and if we can hold on just a little longer it will be over and can rest at His feet forever more.

Written By: Karen ReNee