The God Of Second Chances

What does Easter mean to you? I invite you to share your thoughts, reflections, posts, favorite verses, hymns and worship songs with us!

For me, Easter embodies God’s love. It’s a chance to come face to face with the God of Second Chances. It’s a reminder that we find healing, restoration, forgiveness, and the ability to start fresh and find new life through Jesus Christ!

During my devotional time, I’m currently reading The Voice New Testament – a new Bible translation that invites you to step into the story of Scripture in a fresh way! To give you a sense of what The Voice is like, here’s a few passages from this translation:

The apostle John writes in Chapter 3, Verse 16:

For God expressed His love for the world in this way:
He gave His only Son,
So that whoever believes in Him
Will not face everlasting destruction,
But will have everlasting life.

The more time you spend on this earth – the more chances you have to realize how much you need someone to turn to when life doesn’t go according to plan. That’s why God sent Jesus. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus says:

Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do.
I haven’t come for the pure and upstanding.
I”ve come to call notorious sinners
To rethink their lives and turn to God.

Through Jesus, we learn how to live and find our way home. When we become prodigals on our journey through life, Jesus leads us back to the Father.

On the very first Easter Sunday, the resurrected Jesus appeared to His disciples. This event is recorded in John 20:19^b-23:

…Out of nowhere, Jesus appeared in the center of the room.

Jesus: May each of you be at peace.

As He was speaking,
He revealed the wounds in His hands and side.
The disciples began to celebrate as it sank in that
They were really seeing the Lord.

Jesus: I give you the gift of peace.
In the same way the Father sent me,
I am now sending you.

Now He drew close enough to each of them
That they could feel His breath.
He breathed on them:

Jesus: Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God.
You now have the mantle of God’s forgiveness.
As you go, you are able to share the life-giving power
To forgive sins, or to withhold forgiveness.

The miracle of Easter is that Jesus died on a cross, but the cross is empty and so is the grave that once held Him!

Jesus lives – and through His healing power – we live too!

Have you experienced the healing power of Jesus – the God Of Second Chances – in your life? If not, click here to learn how to meet Him!

Have a blessed Easter! I look forward to reading your thoughts and reflections on Easter in the comments!

Spiritual Resources

• Looking for some great inspirational books? Check out my Book Reviews!
• Looking for some great music? Check out Songs Of Worship!
• To meet more faith-based bloggers, visit Spiritual Sundays!

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Disclosure Of Material Connection: I received a free copy of The Voice New Testament from Thomas Nelson Publishers.