Jt’s Indie Christian Music Podcast

I want to challenge us all to have hearts of giving, filled with thanks, as we constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] risen from the dead. 2 Timothy 2:8, AMP Great power lies in this. If only we would tap into it!

I particularly like the way the Amplified translation puts this verse because it sends our thoughts in a particular place. For one thing, to constantly keep Christ in mind. We are called to always remember, to tap into that which He died for. And we are not just broadly keeping Christ in mind, but we are holding onto the fact that Jesus is risen from the dead! We need a more in-depth look at what His triumph over death entailed.

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound.
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
4 And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
Isaiah 61:1-4, AMP

4-8 But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.
7-9 He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn’t say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he’d never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn’t true.
10 Still, it’s what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.
11 Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many “righteous ones,”
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Isaiah 53:4-11, The Message

I encourage you to take a close look at, examine, read over and over, and read aloud these verses. When we keep in mind Christ as risen from the dead, not only are we remembering the awesomeness of His sacrifice and the tremendous power of His coming back to life, we are also keeping in mind everything that He died to give us in this life of salvation. Jesus wants us to have our life!!! His heart is that we enjoy it too! (John 10:10) By the sacrifice which He made, it is possible to live our lives to the full!

When we think on Jesus as risen from the dead, we are remembering that HE has promised to set us free, to deliver us, to recreate us in this life. What HE has promised, HE will fulfill! These promises are yours to keep, to hold on to, to know that God is faithful to you and never let you down! (see Hebrews 13:5)

So let us rejoice in this fact: that God has promised to give you life! No matter what you are going through right now, know that there is hope. Know that there are promises for you to stand on. Through these the Lord will keep you, firm and steady, immovable in steadfastness and patience, trusting Him and knowing with all your heart that God will bring you through.

Thank You, Lord, for these great and wonderful promises of Yours! Thank You for the bounty of this relationship with You. Thank You for Your heart that yearns for us to be totally and utterly free in You! Give us Your grace, that we may constantly rejoice and give thanks to YOU!!!

[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
Colossians 2:15