"He is not here but is RISEN!  Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee” (Luke 24:6).

We need a message of hope right now!!  We are straining looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.  Any glimmer of hope in sight is welcomed.  As we are looking, waiting and hoping are we missing the beauty and blessings all around us?

Someone has said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”  Are you dancing right now? If not, then why not?  There is much to dance about right now!!

Jesus is RISEN!  Hallelujah!  Sing with me…. “I serve a RISEN Savior, He's in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say - I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He's always near - He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today - He walks with me and talks with me Along life's narrow way - He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart…”

Notice a very important word in Luke 24:6 – it is the word REMEMBER. In the “remembering” we can focus on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy, and unchanging.  These thoughts are the music to our song and help us to keep on dancing in the rain.  Remember God’s promises, blessings, mercy, and forgiveness.  Remembering God and His word fortifies our hope.  The disciples forgot to remember what Jesus said about resurrection and were hopeless and not dancing as a result.  Remembering should have changed their outlook and given them a reason to dance.  Instead, despair set in.

Hope is in the resurrected Lord!!  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23). Jesus is all we need – He is enough!

“This I recall to my mind; Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” 

-- Lamentations 3:21-26   

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10)

There is a growing belief among some religious folks that God has given COVID-19 to teach us to stop and think about Him.  Well…. that type of thinking is ridiculous.  The actual theological term for this type of thinking is called HOGWASH!!  God did not cause this virus to happen.

As a result of this type of thinking many people will also believe that God is also responsible for the deaths caused by COVID-19, the loss of income and jobs, and the difficult disruptions of life.  The truth is God is not to blame for this terrible pandemic. 

What is truth is God can use this terrible pandemic to bring about good for people.  God can add a silver lining to this dark cloud looming over our country and world. It is important for us to “Be still and know.”

Consider for a moment…

1. Many of us have more time now than before to meditate, appreciate, and dedicate it to God.  Spending more time in study (God talking to you), prayer (you talking to God), and being transformed into the likeness of Christ.  What a tremendous blessing to have an opportunity grow closer to Christ.

2. Many of us have experienced more uninterrupted time with family than we had before.  Taking longer walks, more meals around the table, and greater conversations about the Bible, church, and following Christ.  What a blessing!

3. God will provide us with greater opportunities to do good, help, and allow the light of Jesus to shine brighter than ever. 

4. This is truly an opportunity to show greater trust in our great God who loves us, protects us, and provides for us in our great time of need. 

While these days are difficult and our future may seem uncertain, God remains the same and His grace is always enough.  Place your confidence and trust in God who can do more than we ask or think according to the power that works in us through Christ our Lord. 

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1

I miss you terrible and love you much—Shine Bright family!!

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2)

What a timely verse!  This pandemic has a lot of us worried. Worried about many things like getting the virus, losing a job, not being able to pay bills, or the impact it is having on family, friends, and our

community. Legitimate concerns are normal, rational, and understandable. 

James reminds Christians that there is a great opportunity for joy while going through difficult times. The normal response to trouble is not joy. The brother of our Lord says that we are to go against the natural response (worry) and instead be full of joy. 

Consider for a moment how the Lord asks His disciples to offer similar responses to life's challenges. We must go the second mile when everyone around us is walking only one (Matthew 5:38-42). We are to love when others hate and persecute us (Matthew 5:43-48).   We are to focus on heavenly treasures when everyone around us is focusing on earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21). We shouldn't worry when everyone is worrying (Matthew 6:25-34).  We are to walk the narrow way with the Lord even when friends and family are walking in a different direction (Matthew 7:13-14). 

Allow this current moment in time to be an opportunity for greater joy to be seen in your life. It’s what sets us apart from the rest of the world. Develop greater faith and trust in God. God hasn't changed in the middle of these trying times. He remains faithful, merciful, gracious, and generous in the good days and in the bad days. 

In the words of Corrie Ten Boom, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Continue to shine bright, family!!

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”  (1 Corinthians 15:58)

John 5  “I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"

Do you remember John saying, “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” (John 2:24-25)?  John records Jesus saying that the Jews DID NOT HAVE the love of God in them. What an indictment! 

I wonder if these religious folks thought they were right with God and were full of His love?  I believe most people do. Jesus the reason they did not receive Him is because the did not believe what was written by Moses or believe in the words spoken by Him. 

Are we full of God’s love?  What does Jesus think? Is the love of God seen by what we do and heard by what we say?  He knows us inside and out. 

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, All His wondrous compassion and purity;

O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine, ‘Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

Let the fruit of the Spirit be seen in me, Grant me grace all sufficient that I may be,

True and faithful each day, every step of the way, Pointing souls to the Savior on Calvary.

John 5:1-17

 Hope is a powerful thing! It can keep us going and can help us to reach a goal. I love the story about the businessman who was out of town on a business trip in a small town. After checking into the hotel, he decided to walk around and breathe in some fresh air that evening. He could see the bright lights of a little league ballpark and decided to go and check it out for some good ol’ down-to-earth entertainment. He made his way to the field and leaned up against the outfield fence. It was a brutal first inning for the home team. They had given up 10 runs before the first out was recorded. Finally, the third out would come after giving up 15 runs. The businessman said to the little left fielder who had just caught the third out, “Things look hopeless for this game.” He asks the young outfielder, “Are you discouraged?” The young player replied, “No way! We haven’t gotten to bat yet.” Hope is a Game Changer!

 So much emphasis and expectation can be placed on everything but God. Jesus is a game changer. Can you sense the hope that is placed in the pool? If only the lame man can get to the pool. The hope and expectation to catch it at the right time and then get in and everything will be okay. Jesus comes in and does what the pool could not do – HEAL THIS MAN with His word.  

 Don’t forget to put your faith, trust and hope in Jesus. He is the Great Physician!