Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Happy Easter as we celebrate Jesus bringing us to God! The high priest in Old Testament would once a year on the Day of Atonement enter the most holy place and make atonement for the sins of the people (Lev. 16). Consequently, the author of Hebrews uses this exact imagery for Jesus, the Son of God. Significantly, Hebrews reminds us that Jesus as the Son of God was both the perfect mediator and sacrifice for us to a holy God.  Jesus in his humanity was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). Additionally, Jesus was also the son of God and is worthy of all worship and praise as God himself.  As a result, we as followers of Christ can boldly approach the throne not of wrath, but of grace because of our great high priest Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:7; Gal. 1:3; Heb. 4:16).

Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

The "He" in this passage is Jesus and He is the radiance and glory of God manifested. Many people want to know what God is like and the simple answer is, to know God we look to Jesus because He is the exact imprint of God's nature. It is almost too simple for some but the more you think about it the more it makes sense. No one shall come to the father except through the son (John 14:6 paraphrase). My favorite part of this whole verse is the small little phrase, "he upholds the universe by the word of his power." This to me is unfathomable. In my own little world I struggle to keep even the simplest of things together with great effort. Many tasks have been bathed in blood sweat and tears only to have them still not work out the way I had intended and yet Jesus, speaks and all is upheld.

This idea is echoed in Colossians 1:15-17. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

Take some time to dwell on the radiance of the glory of God today (which means think about Jesus). Think about what he has done for the glory of God, consider all that he has created, reflect on the awesome power of his word, and meditate on his absolute greatness.

- Jacob Bassing

Acts 27:23-24
For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

As I read this passage I immediately began to ask, "why have a never had a angel from God come stand before me to tell me how things are going to work out?" So I began to wrestle with the idea, when it hit me. God has revealed promise after promise to us in his word, letting us know how things would work out. Like Paul, in his shipwreck situation, we know how things will end.

Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

While you may never hear the voice of an angel, remember that the Lord has made so many incredible promises. One day If you have trusted in Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will dwell with him on the new Earth. You will glorify him by bearing his imagine as intended from the beginning. Knowing how all this will work out should be a reason for great confidence and hope. Deepen your trust in God today by reminding yourself that He is in control and that He has already won. Praise him today for the victory we have in Christ Jesus.

- Jacob Bassing

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

What is the greatest thing that has ever happened to you? Paul shares, in his fifth of sixth defenses in Acts, the most significant moment in his life. Paul shares through the words of Jesus three effects of Christ in salvation: He gives those who were blind spiritually sight (John 1:7-9; Acts 26:23; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:13), He gives complete forgiveness of our sins (Matt 1:21; Acts 2:38; Gal. 1:4), and His perfect life secures our permanent place in heaven (Acts 20:32; Col. 1:12; Heb. 9:15). Jesus plainly details all of this is only possible by faith in Him when he says at the end of this verse, "among those who are sanctified by faith in me."  

Salvation can only come by faith in Christ our sin-bearer who by the grace of God opens our hearts to receive the gospel (Eph. 2:8-9). It is humbling that something so great could be despised and rejected by so many (Acts 26:24, 30-32). Is there someone you know who needs a new start? Do you need to be reminded the power of the gospel in your heart? Put your full faith in Him who voluntarily took our sufferings and sins upon himself to bring us life!   

- Senior Pastor Matt Brooks

Acts 16:25-32
²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, ²⁶ and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. ²⁷ When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ²⁹ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

God has blessed me in so many ways that it is often hard for me to even keep them all straight. But in looking back at many of the blessings he has given me I can't help but think I have wasted more than a few of them. It was as if I looked at my blessings as a means to make my own life better never thinking about what God wanted me to do with them.

Paul and Silas were miraculously freed from their confinement (an incredible blessing). However, they did not view their freedom as a means of escape but as an opportunity to share the gospel. As a result the jailer and his household became believers. 

Had I been in this situation I think I would have ran the first chance I got. Paul and Silas, on the other hand were constantly looking for ways to advance the gospel. And because of there imprisonment and an earthquake they get an incredible opportunity.

How do you use the blessings that God has given you? Are they for you and you alone or were they given to you to advance the kingdom of God? How you use even the smallest blessing will show a lot about your heart and how you view God. It many be money, a house, an answered prayer, or any number of things, but remember that everything we are given can be used for the glory of God.

- Jacob Bassing