This week, Corey and I have been reflecting on where God has taken us and our family.  All we can say is, GOD IS GOOD.  There were days where we didn’t know how we would pay our bills.  But GOD IS GOOD!  There were days where we didn’t know if we had the energy to change another diaper and write another paper.  But GOD IS GOOD!  There were days where we stared at another positive pregnancy test and wondered where we would put another bed.  But GOD IS GOOD!  There were days where we cried and held each other as we lost a baby.  But GOD IS GOOD!  As we look back, we see God’s hand carrying us through.

1 Chronicles 16:12 says, “Remember the wondrous works that he has done.”  Psalm 105:5 repeats this.  In fact, all over the Bible, we are told to remember the good works that God has done.  So, this week, I encourage you to look back over your life.  What has God brought you through that, at that moment, you weren’t sure you would see the end of?  How has God provided for you when you didn’t see a way?  What prayer has God answered for you?  Thank him and then share it with someone.  It is so encouraging to hear what God has done.  GOD IS GOOD!

- Heather Mitchell

So, why does Paul want to personally know and experience Christ and the power of his resurrection?  There must be something about the resurrection power that Paul wants to know personally.  What is it?  And here is where we find that the power of the resurrection is very important to theology, but more importantly it is the power to live out the Christian faith.

Here is a short list of the things Christ’s resurrection guaranteed for us: repentance (Acts 5:31); no condemnation (Romans 8:34); new birth (1 Peter 1:3); forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 15:17); our future resurrection (2 Corinthians 4:14); and The Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32-33).  When we know the power of Christ’s resurrection and know all that it guarantees for us, we can live like Paul lived.

Paul went on to say, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”

As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, may we like Paul desire to know Him and the power of His resurrection, not just know about it!

- Pastor Corey