Easter is officially over, now what?

What happened after Jesus rose from the grave, and what should we be doing now after the celebration of Easter?

I find it interesting that we rarely talk about all Jesus did after coming out of that tomb. Why is that? We can’t leave Jesus on a cross, we can’t leave him in a tomb, we must allow him to fill the space he has earned the right to inhabit. Today, we talk about that space!

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, he spent 40 days walking among his believers, teaching, healing, and doing miraculous works no one could deny. Thousands of people came to believe in Jesus during those days. Even those who were part of wrongly convicting and crucifying Jesus were given the opportunity to see him alive again, witness his miracles, and even receive his forgiveness and total redemption over their lives. The apostle John ends his writings about all Jesus did in these 40 days after his resurrection with this statement in John 21:25, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

But even with all these miracles that couldn’t be contained in all the books in the world happening with Jesus back with them, he said it was best for him to leave. How could it be better than Jesus teaching and healing? How could it be better than Jesus walking with them and making himself known? One thing, and only this one thing … The Holy Spirit empowering us to do these things and even greater things!

Jesus says in John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”

But what’s so good about Jesus going to be with the Father instead of staying here with us?

John 16:7 “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

The Advocate Jesus speaks of is the Hebrew word parakletos. Para means close beside and kaleo means to make a call. Put together, parakletos is an advocate who makes the right decision because he is close to the situation. WHAT? This is Jesus’ parting gift to us! Because Jesus leaves us to return to the Father, we receive one who is so close to us always that we are divinely guided with the right decisions!

John 14:26 “But the Adovcate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Yes, Easter is over, but girls, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit because Jesus has returned to the side of our Heavenly Father, and placed the third part of the trinity, the Holy Spirit, within us! How is it possible we are walking around as followers of Christ and recipients of this incredible gift, totally missing the power we have inside of us?

The Holy Spirit teaches us all things, meaning we don’t have to walk around in this life confused, overwhelmed, or unsettled. He is close to us and close to the situation, so he can perfectly guide us in making the right decisions. You don’t know what to do from here? You don’t know if you should stay or if you should go? You don’t know what’s best? You don’t know which way to turn? You don’t have to know, you just have to consult the Holy Spirit, then follow his promptings!

There’s one thing greater than understanding … trusting. Trusting the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Trusting the empowering of the Holy Spirit that if you will just show up, he will work in you to do impossible things. Trusting if you will open your mouth, he will supernaturally guide your words. If you will lift your foot, he will guide your next step.

But here’s the thing … if you won’t lift your foot, you’ll never receive his guidance for your next step. If you aren’t willing to open your mouth, you will never fully understand what he could speak through you. If you aren’t willing to show up, you have already dismissed yourself from being smack dab in the middle of impossible things unfolding for you and through you.

I don’t understand how Jesus dying on a cross, rising up from the dead to walk the earth for 40 days, then ascending to Heaven so he could give us the Holy Spirit to live within us, could possibly be real in my life right now, but I’ve decided trusting it is more important than understanding it.

I don’t understand how the Holy Spirit guides me as I write a devotional to share with you, but I know he does the moment I start studying and writing. But if I don’t study and write, then I am not guided.

Now, tell me, what are you doing today because the Holy Spirit empowers you? Are you confidently making choices? Are you boldly taking next steps? Are you using what seems too little to do things that are way too big for you alone? Honey, if you’re not, you’re totally missing out!

Jesus promised something bigger in you to do even greater things that he did. And if the things he did just in his 40 days after the cross and the tomb were so big that they couldn’t be contained in all the books in the world, then I’m pretty sure that means we should be doing a whole lot of awesome things with every single day of our lives as we carry the Holy Spirit inside of us.

Remember, this Holy Spirit is an advocate who makes the right decision because he is close to the situation. Today, at this very moment, you and I are divinely guided with the right decisions!

That doubt you feel is not from God. That wavering back and forth, stirred up with uncertainty and anxiety is not from God. God’s Spirit within you is certain. God’s Spirit within you is mighty. God’s Spirit within you sees it all, knows it all, and holds all power. It is the defeated enemy who is locked away in Hell who taunts you with uncertainty and anxiety. It is Satan and his demons who whisper fear filled what-ifs.

Who will you listen to? The Spirit of God which Jesus died to give you, or the defeated enemy who only wishes to confuse you? Will you try to understand God’s Spirit and get wrapped up in the things which your human mind can never comprehend, or will you simply decide to TRUST God’s Spirit and walk in divine guidance?

I’m stepping forward in joy and confidence, because I know every single time I lift my foot in faith, God’s Spirit living within me perfectly guides my lifted foot in the right direction. And you can do the same.

This is Jesus’ parting gift to us. Make sure you receive it and use it! And the great news is, you don’t have to understand it to start trusting it and using it!

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