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John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

It’s a story about love…Before there was any of us; before there were animals & plants; before there was planet earth…or any of the stars…there was God. And that’s where love originated. As God thought of all that He was about to do, He also decided to love. He decided to give. He decided to give His best to humans who would not be able to withstand temptation without Him. He decided to give His best…His only begotten Son, so that whosoever will believe and trust Him would have an eternal home with God. Jesus describes Himself by many titles. Here is one of them...

John 11:25-26 – “…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die…”

This story is not only about love, it is about power…miracle power…life-giving power. Jesus does not simply have super-powers, like some “Marvel Comic” character. He is power. It is a part of His very essence. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection…I am the life”. In creation, Jesus gave us life because He is life and has it to give. In salvation, Jesus sees us as dead in our trespasses & sins. So, He resurrects us from that spiritual deadness and gives us life again, that we might desire & know & enjoy & follow Him all the rest of our lives. He resurrects us because that’s what Jesus is. He’s resurrection. He’s life – back from the dead. He stores that which has been destroyed by sin & by Satan our enemy. He makes all things new!

John 16:33 - “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Sin & Satan have made a mess out of things. When we are given that resurrection-life, it is called the new birth. We now are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our sins, past-present-and future, are all forgiven. With a new heart, full of Christ’s love, we follow Christ and walk away from the things of our old life in this world. Sadly, this creates a new problem. The world resents and hates the things of God. The world’s hatred for God is directed at the people who remind them of Him. Jesus was fair and warned us of this conflict that we can expect. Jesus has already provided a way that we can have a life filled with joy and peace that the world cannot give & it cannot take away.

Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

Jesus did not just did not swoop down & die on a cross & rise from the dead & go back to heaven. He lived an entire life – filled with miracles – miracles that revealed grace, love & power. It was His desire to love us before the foundation of the world. It was His desire to love us when He came to earth. It is still His desire to love us now, as we go through life. Jesus isn’t going to change His mind. He’s coming back again to fulfill that desire completely – “so shall we ever be with the Lord”…”and [we] shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever! With Hebrews 13:8, I see Christ is like the North Star. It’s always there. It doesn’t wander around like planets or other stars. You can always chart your course by it. It is dependable. Jesus Christ’s love, power & purpose are always the same. He isn’t going to change. You can trust your life & your soul with Him.

John 20:31 – “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”