Australia’s Largest Christian News Site

Intention

God desires His people to rise in holiness, reflect His true image, hear His voice and walk in obedience to His Spirit.

Scripture

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” — Romans 8:28-30

Reflection

One Easter Sunday, I found myself at the beach, grieving that my daughter and son-in-law, though born again, were not walking with God. As I prayed, the Lord spoke to me: Will you love My dead church? As I opened my Bible to John 20, I read how Mary stood weeping at the empty tomb until Jesus, whom she didn’t recognise, called her by name. In that moment, I felt Him speak my name too, showing me His heart for His people.

Mary Magdalene’s grief at the empty tomb in John 20 reflects a deeper question Jesus asks of us: Will we love and intercede for those who are spiritually dead? Will we labour in prayer and discipleship so that others may arise into the life Christ offers? Just as Lazarus was raised after the fourth day, the Church is being called to awaken, to shake off the grave clothes of religion and return to true worship and obedience. We need a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and God’s Grace to strengthen us to arise and stay standing.

In Revelation, Jesus speaks to the seven churches, commending faithfulness and warning against compromise. Today, those warnings still ring true. Many have embraced a diluted gospel that prioritises personal gain over holiness. But Jesus calls us to know Him as He truly is — not just a giver of blessings, but the King who calls us to righteousness. He longs for His Church, His bride, to rise from spiritual slumber and embrace the fullness of His resurrection life.

Jesus desires those who will walk in step with Him, who will understand His heart, His timing, and His ways. Psalm 25 calls us to seek His guidance, crying out like David, “Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths.” Rather than running ahead with our own agendas, we must be led by the Spirit, seeking God’s direction moment by moment. This requires humility — laying aside bitterness, division, and idolatry. Too often, we elevate worldly leaders and systems above God, as described in Romans 1, worshipping the created rather than the Creator. But Jesus calls us back to wholehearted devotion.

As we approach Passover, we are reminded of the immense grace and mercy God has extended to us. Ezekiel 16 speaks of His covenant promise to atone for the sins of His people. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have been given an open door to repentance. He invites us to bring our brokenness, our fleshly struggles, and even generational sins before Him, trusting in the cleansing power of His blood. Isaiah 53 assures us that He has already borne our iniquities — He has made the way for us to walk in freedom and holiness.

God is calling His people to a higher standard, to purity, and to a renewed love for the lost. He wants us to rise as intercessors, as those who will stand in the gap and call others into His resurrection life. The Church cannot remain asleep. The Lord is asking: Will we answer? Will we love the spiritually dead and call them into life? Will we be the ones who cleanse and revive the bride of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word?

This is the hour to step forward in obedience, to reflect the true Jesus, and to walk in the power of His Spirit.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to holiness and transformation. Help us to surrender our own agendas and be led by Your Spirit. Give us the grace to intercede for those who are spiritually dead, that they may arise in Your resurrection life. Teach us to walk in obedience, free from idolatry and compromise, reflecting Your true image to the world. May we love as You love, serve as You serve, and remain steadfast in our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

___

Image courtesy of Adobe.