God is most up-close and personal during times of hardship.

Life can be so difficult. It brings problems, challenges, and pain. As God’s own, we often wonder why we must endure such adversity. We ask, “Why doesn’t God remove troubles from the Believer’s life? One reason is so that we may know and love Him.

God longs to have an on-going, intimate, love relationship with you. He knows you and He longs for you to know Him. The more we know Him the more we will love Him. Sometimes this process calls for difficult days.

It’s when we need comfort that He becomes our comforter. When we are weak, He becomes our source of strength. When others let us down, He proves to be faithful. God becomes more than enough when we recognize He is all we need.

God doesn’t allow hardships in our lives to cause us undue pain but to draw us close to Him, to know Him and to experience Him in a way that we come to trust Him and His plan for our lives.

What is God teaching you about Himself today?

The question that many have asked ever since Christ’s resurrection is this. “Is He really alive?” They want to know if the testimony from those who claimed to have seen Him alive is legitimate or not. When Mary shouted, “I have seen the Lord” was she certain and how can we know?

The question shouldn’t be a debate about whether Jesus arose from the grave or not. That type of discussion is built on doubt. And as long as you’re cynical you will never see the risen Lord. Therefore, the question we should ask is “Do I care that Jesus arose from the grave?” Does it matter to you that Jesus lives?

It should matter because if Jesus lives we live.

Death and sin have lost its power over me and I am a new, living creation that will continue to live for all eternity. I know this by faith. The moment I put my trust in Christ, my testimony became like Mary’s. “I have seen the risen the Lord!”

The world says, “Show me and I’ll believe.” Faith in Christ says, “Believe and you will see.”

Once you encounter Him the debate is over. Once you trust Him the doubt ends. Once you receive Him your sins are forgiven. Shame and guilt dissolve and eternal life is yours. Nothing stays the same. For all things become new. It’s a fresh start. You are His and He is yours. Nothing is sweeter, more satisfying, freeing or glorious!

May the risen Lord open your eyes this Easter so that you can proclaim, “I have seen the risen Lord!”