I RUN THIS UNIVERSE! 

 -God, Job 41:3 MSG
 
Greetings!

There are two reasons Easter week rocks.

First, Christ's death and resurrection puts eternal life at our fingertips.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ... That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Romans 6:23, 10:9 NIV

Second, Christ's death and resurrection puts the abundant life at our fingertips.

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).  John 10:10 AMP

Most Easters we hear about the eternal life in Heaven that we can one day have if we believe in Jesus and what He did at Calvary.  And it's good that we hear it!

But I want each of you to also consider the second part of the Good News.  You can have an abundant life right here, right now.  (Remember that it is God's definition of an abundant life, not yours...and that His definition is even better.)

So how do you get this abundant life?  By approaching God.  But how can we, sinners, approach a perfect and holy God?  Because of Christ's death and resurrection.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  Ephesians 3:10-12 NIV

Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.  James 4:7-8a CEV

I recently came across a beautiful passage in Exodus 33:13-19.  In it, Moses is crying out to God asking to be with Him and go where He goes and to learn fully who He is in the process.  And God responds, "That's what I want too!"

Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight. And Lord, do consider that this nation is Your people.

    And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.

    And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here! For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the other people upon the face of the earth?

    And the Lord said to Moses, I will do this thing also that you have asked, for you have found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy in My sight and I know you personally and by name.

    And Moses said, I beseech You, show me Your glory.

    And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, THE LORD, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness.

Think about this.  Not only has Christ provided eternal life in Heaven for you.  He has also provided an abundant life with God here and now.  You now have the right and the opportunity to approach God, see Him up close, and be in awe of His Majesty and Love.

So on Judgment Day, you can thank Jesus for His Work on Calvary bringing you into Heaven.

But don't wait!  You can thank Him right now for also bringing you to the Ancient of Days and introducing you. Meet God. Get to know Him. Walk with Him. Dance with Him. Celebrate with Him. Now! In the middle of your current trials, in the middle of your current successes, approach God and smile and worship.  Ask Him to show Himself to you. It is one of the prayer requests that is guaranteed to be answered.
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To aid you, let me tell you about six specific ways you can approach God, learn about Him and be in awe.

THROUGH PRAYER & MEDITATION
Be still and know that He is God.  Get quiet and listen.  One of the best ways you can do that around here (in the busy, loud DC metro area) is at the Holy Cross Abbey out in Berryville, VA.  You can go for 4 days, 2 days or even just an afternoon. It's beautiful, it's peaceful and it's quiet.

THROUGH SCRIPTURES
God will reveal Himself to you on the pages of His Message to us, the Holy Bible.  On April 10, we are offering a workshop on how to see God in the Bible, in prayer, and in the circumstances around you.  So come join us as we dive in deep into the possibilities.

THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAISE
Singing and listening to God-centered music will take you to Him too.  Stephanie Cuomo has one of the most hauntingly beautiful voices out there when it comes to worshiping God.  So let her stir you up.

THROUGH FELLOWSHIP WITH BELIEVERS
The new church I attend, Church of the Free, in Vienna, VA is a first-century church in its aim to enjoy the freedom we have in Christ and the awesomeness of the relationship we can have with our Papa.  So come join us for Easter services this Sunday at 5:30pm. Email Pastor Rick for more details.

THROUGH GIVING
Contributing to God's Work will always bring you in to His Presence.  So consider supporting Rekindling at our next fundraiser on April 24 (details to follow). Another excellent opportunity is to attend the Burma Ball on May 14.  Here's a quick blurb about it:

Pastor Joseph a Burmese refugee, started a school to serve the Burmese refugee children escaping to Mae Sot, Thailand. They left in search of freedom with their families and even alone as orphans. The school currently serves 200 children restrained only by the lack of funds and the state of the crowded and small makeshift school building. Each year Pastor Joseph and his family turn away up to 600 children. The inaugural Burma Ball in 2008, in partnership with MANNA Worldwide, was able to raise enough money to begin the process to purchase land. With the purchase of new land in sight in this year, the 2010 Burma Ball will focus on raising funds for the upcoming construction and building expenses, as well as supporting ongoing daily needs of the orphans Pastor Joseph has living with him and his family. For more information about the Burma Ball visit www.mannaworldwide.com or find us on Facebook under Burma Ball 2.



THROUGH GOING ON A MISSION TRIP
All I'll say for now is get ready for next month's FIREWATCH, because we have some exciting and surprising news for you.  ; )



Bottom line, Easter week reminds us to celebrate not only the eternal life that is coming, but the abundant life that we have now.

So get excited about Heaven and get excited about drawing closer to the Almighty.

And start right now.

 
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here's to a beautiful weekend. 

Jesus, thank you for everything.

Yours,
shannon
 
Save 20% Save 20% on your next Rekindling workshop. Use the code "agape" and we'll give you our next workshop, "Listen to God" on Saturday April 10, for just $24!
 
Offer Expires: 30 April 2010