Come As You Are This Easter

I remember when every Easter, my mom would try to make or get us a new Easter outfit.  Something pretty and flowery and spring like.  Easter bonnets came out and Easter Sunday was like a springtime parade.  We presented ourselves to God in our very best.  I don’t think there was anything wrong with this, but did we impress God?  I don’t much think so.

 I think God is much more impressed with what is underneath all the flowers and frills.  How impressive is that beautiful new outfit, if what is underneath, deep in the confines of your heart and soul, is dirty and ugly?

 Maybe we should work on our Easter “outfit” all year long.  Working each and every day to clean out a little more of the gunk.  Scraping out a lifetime of buildup around our hearts in order for the Holy Spirit to come and fill it.

 What?  You don’t think you can do that?  You can’t be good enough to present yourself before our King?  Well, guess what.  The cross took care of that.  We can come to him just as we are.  Gunk and all, and just hand it over to Him. 

 “Worthy Is The Lamb”
Thank you for the cross Lord                                                                          Worthy is the Lamb
Thank you for the price You paid                                                                   Seated on the throne
Bearing all my sin and shame                                                                         Crown You now with many crowns
In love You came                                                                                               You reign victorious
And gave amazing grace                                                                                  High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
Thank you for this love Lord                                                                           The Darling of Heaven crucified
Thank you for the nail pierced hands                                                            Worthy is the Lamb
Washed me in Your cleansing flow                                                                Worthy is the Lamb
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Pray Unceasingly!

In His light,

Lois

 

Come As You Are This Easter
By Rick Warren

“He will send down help from heaven to save me because of his love” (Psalm 57:3a TLB).

 There’s a myth that says you’ve got to clean up your act before you can come to God: “I’ve got to get it all together. There are a few things I’ve got to get right in my life first, and then I’ll come to God.”

It’s like brushing your teeth before going to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned or washing the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher or picking up the house before the maid gets there! Why do we do this?

The truth is, God doesn’t expect us to clean up our act before we approach him. The death and Resurrection of Jesus is God’s statement on that. Jesus spread out his arms and said, “I love you this much. Now, just come as you are.”

In Psalm 57:3, the Bible says, “He will send down help from heaven to save me because of his love” (TLB). That’s what Jesus did on Easter. And that’s why we can bring our messes and failures to God.

There are people you know who think God will never love them because they’ve made such a mess of their lives. But you know God wants them to come as they are. Help them hear the Good News from Jesus. Invite them to come to church with you this Easter. It’s such a simple thing to do, but it can make a difference that will last for eternity.