In the Book of John, chapter 11, Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Martha was the woman who served her brother and sister and was known in her town to be reliable. When Jesus was at her home, she burst out in aggravation, telling Him it was unfair to be left to do all the work and that He needed to address it. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed, only one.” Luke 10:41-42a NIV
Jesus continued saying, “Whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Martha answered yes, but it seems to me, counting blessings may have been difficult for her—an act of obedience rather than an overflow of joy. In the end, I imagine Jesus was trying to tell her, “It will open up space in your heart Martha.”
Truth be told, I can be like Martha; preparing most of my days as a wife, mom, and friend to women all over the world; often stretched and without balanced control of the many obligations. Do you have some of these tendencies too?
Each Passion Week, we’re reminded that as God’s daughters, we are overcomers in Christ and that He offers forgiveness to anyone who will see that “few things are needed—or indeed, only one.” Let’s come to him with our full attention.
6 Ways to Celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection
1. By remembering His wonderful kindness every day
So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:6-7 NLT
2. By giving God thanks
When I choose to focus on what I have been given, rather than linger on what I’m missing, I feel relieved, more content, and less agitated. Gratitude overtakes me and I am joyful. Space in my heart opens up and I recall God’s unchanging plan that has always been to adopt us into His own family, by bringing us to Himself through the Resurrection of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ; and this gave Him great pleasure (from Ephesians 1:5)
Practicing a thankful heart and attitude will set down a blueprint with farseeing benefits in my life and in the lives of my children and all I serve in ministry.
3. By boldly rising above my problems
I try to alleviate my burdens and not get overwhelmed when things are out of control. Especially when difficulties challenge my peace, I cling to Jesus and call on friends that walk in the light and not in the dark.
If you’re lost and don’t know where to start, it doesn’t really matter where you are. One of the most underrated secrets to taking that first step towards the Resurrected Jesus is to start before you’re ready. Just turn!
4. By remembering that my life is purposeful
Knowing what is embedded in my heart, mind, soul, and spirit is believable because at the cross, His love ran red. Because He first loved me, my life is purposeful, my failures are not fatal, and my death is not final. Because my Savior lives, I live too.
Because He first loved me, my life is purposeful, my failures are not fatal, and my death is not final.
5. By meditating on the character of God, His attribute or name
Each week I pray with my Moms in Prayer group and experience an easy and effective way to go deeper into God’s promises. There I find a safe place to connect and pray with the women around me. I am wonderfully exposed to a different aspect of God’s character as we pray biblically, specifically, and in agreement.
6. By spending quiet time with Jesus, telling Him that I am in need of His forgiveness
This is a time to lay our burdens down and acknowledge our sinfulness in action, thought, or deed. In Moms in Prayer groups, this is the 2nd step of prayer. We meet with our Loving Father who tells us that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NASB
Confession is a time when we empty ourselves so that we, in turn, can be filled once again with strength to resist temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit. We realize that whatever we were holding onto in our human shortcomings, is no longer in us! Jesus has come and set us free from the bondage of sin.
God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. If you find yourself too overwhelmed, too tired, and just running too fast; if you can identify with Martha, know that obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off Jesus. Don’t linger. Take a few minutes between dashing and hurrying and celebrate our Resurrected Lord!
You can do this together by joining a group of praying moms. You’ll be amazed at the ways you can turn your trials into joy. You, your child, and the schools they attend will become threads of resurrected life, woven into the tapestry of His marvelous promises.
How do you celebrate Resurrection Sunday?
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Stephanie McDermott is the Moms in Prayer Florida State Coordinator and Leadership Developer for Bhutan, India, Singapore and Sri Lanka. She learned about Moms in Prayer in 2005 while living in Singapore when a precious young mother invited her to a group. Since then, Stephanie has led groups of praying moms in six countries ranging from Europe to Southeast Asia to the USA. Stephanie has a supportive husband that encourages her every step of the way and two beautiful children that have been prayed up in Moms in Prayer all over the world. She has her undergraduate and post graduate degrees in education and has taught in several countries. Stephanie enjoys classical music, knitting, mentoring women and her three international cats.
Comments 30
Beautiful devotional! As always Stephanie you turn our eyes to the One who holds our tomorrow and our children’s tomorrow! Great reminders to read on the Monday following Easter Sunday as we face the pitfalls of life. Love you!!
Dianne, it is a great reminder everyday.
Bless you for turning us all back to 6 ways to spend your life in His Resurrection Power! Shalom
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for penning down such a powerful and practical reminder – that He is near to us and delights in us coming to Him over and over again. For indeed we need Him every hour! The encouragement here brings much hope!
Jasmine,
Your comment is powerful and what a Savior we have; every hour that we need Him, He is there!!
Dear Stephanie what a wonderful encourager you are to me. You have reminded me once again that Jesus is the answer of my prayer. It is very important to pray in every situation. Our hope and fellowship is Jesus. What a mom can not do for her children but prayer can change the situation.
God is the controller of our lives. I am blessed dear sister.
Chandra
You are so right, prayer changes things in the lives of our children; ‘having faith in difficult times can allow you to find peace in God’s presence! I am so glad to know that you have found your anchor and your hope in Christ Alone!
These are beautiful reminders that will keep us tethered close to Jesus, our risen savior! I have been Martha lately, feeling depleted without time to breathe. I will meditate on the Word, the Bread of Life this week, confess and be renewed! Happy Easter!
Laurie,
What a reminder that mediating on the Word, the Bread of Life; confess and be renewed is exemplar of what happens in a MIP hour when we walk thru the Four Steps of Prayer. God Bless you in your renewal…..and Happy Resurrection Day to you.
I love this: Because He lives, I live too. The old is gone, the new has come! Thank you, now I have these 6 reminders to rotate on and not get stuck in a rut.
Oh I agree Karen, and they are reminders that never grow old!
Thank you Stephanie for taking the time to share these wonderful truths as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. I’m reminded that making space for Jesus, in our own lives, is the number one priority. I thank God for the privilege to pray in a Mom’s in prayer group that continues to keep my focus on the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords!”
Tina you are correct, I could hear Jesus saying to you “indeed, only this one beloved!”
So meaningful & real for us who are mothers & grandmothers.
Thank you Stephanie for guiding and teaching me how to cover my children in prayer using scripture. When we feel hopeless and anxious about our kids, praying for them, lifts our hope and delights our soul and brings inner peace. A peace that surpasses all understanding.
Deepthi, what a gem you are to remind me and everyone else we need to be anchored in Him alone; no matter what life brings us. He is the Way, the Truth, and LIFE resurrected~
Thank you Stephanie for reiterating g the fact that our God never sums us, he is there for us, even when we are sinners, He is just a call away and He can build us.
Sunitha it’s true, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us; a demonstration of a convent love that will never leave us or forsake us!
Oh how we do need this reminder from time to time, be encouraged by it to start again and keep going, be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit to do just that and be an encouragement to others around us. Thanking God for His faithfulness. And thank you, Stephanie for this piece of wisdom the Lord put in your heart and you so graciously shared with us. Blessings.
When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts, thankfulness overflows; hold on to that strength Rina and join me this Passion Week to encourage others; we all have a testimony to help make others understand that He is the Life!
Thankyou Stephanie…truly we are blessed praying for our children with God’s word poured on them each time we meet….we believe his word will never go void but will always accomplish and bear fruit.
Novella, what truth! Isaiah 55:11 tells us this very point and you remind us that it shall do what pleases Him, achieving the end for which He sent it.
Our fourth step, Intercession in a MIP hour, is our best gift to our children.
God Bless you.
Oh so powerful! REMEMBER Him, your purpose and His faithfulness. Rise up bold in His strength and meditate on Him. Thank you for these mindful ways to celebrate in Christ’s resurrection with a grateful heart!
Oh I agree Sue, His Faithfulness is great each and every day!
Sue, I agree. His radiant and magnificent resurrection, He broke the bonds of death and rose from the grave as a conqueror so we can have Life Eternal……
We are very precious person in this world because Jesus Christ has purchased us through his blood. His resurrection saved our life. We always remember his resurrection because it is give us strength and power. Thanks to God that God give us a very beautiful sister Stephanie who always guide us god’s path and teach us how can we pray for our children, she is not belongs from my country , but she always carry a
burden for our children. We always free that God full filled her all dzire and wishes.
Nibedita
What a warm and loving message to me and all women who walk in the Resurrection Light. None of us starts out as laborers in the harvest of Christ’s Kingdom. We must first be “harvested” by hearing the Gospel through the Good News of Christ and His Kingdom come. You are right, we are all very precious because Christ purchased us all through His Blood.
Thank you so much Stephanie for leading the women of the world into the throne room of grace on behalf of their children and schools.
Its easy Perri, the Lord has blessed me with this amazing Prayer Ministry, a real vehicle in which I ride in throughout the different countries, aligning with moms to cover kids and their schools!
This is lovely! Thanks, Stephanie!
Thank you for reading the MIP Blog, there is always a good read for all.