VICTORY IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FAILURE

[Pastor Victor odero okello]

"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen,
just as he said.'"

Matthew 28:5-6a (NIV).

Falsely accused, arrested, killed: Jesus Christ

The disciples of Jesus must have been shattered that Friday. For three years they followed
the man from Nazareth. They watched Him heal the sick, restore sight
to the blind, and even raise people from the dead. When Jesus said, "I
have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me
will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46, NAS), they got it. Darkness
enveloped the hearts of their countrymen. They needed a "Light."

Twelve ordinary men abandoned everything to follow Jesus: jobs, family, and homes. Not with regret, but with hope. Hope for the promise Jesus
offered. Look where it got them that Friday. Good Friday,
we call it now. But it was anything but good to them. Jesus was dead
- they'd witnessed the crucifixion. Only 11 now, they must have
gathered that night after scattering throughout the city. Other
followers joined them to mourn the death of the man they loved, and the
death of the hope He offered.

On Saturday, they still gathered. No one left - though they could have. They could have packed up their things and put this failed adventure
behind them. Back to fishing, back to family, back to normal. But no
one left. In spite of what appeared to be complete failure of this new
kingdom, everyone stayed. Faithful.

Saturday inched forward to noon, dusk, and then evening. The beauty of the night sky didn't ease their pain. Perhaps they reminisced some. In
hindsight, Jesus wasn't really what they were expecting. When the
prophets of old foretold a king would come to rescue them, they figured
it would be someone imposing, with power, maybe with chariots to whip
their enemies into submission. Some took longer than others to
readjust their expectations. But when God opened their eyes to the
beauty of His plan, they bought into it with their lives.

I'm sure troubled thoughts stole their sleep that Saturday night. Finally, in complete exhaustion their tired bodies overtook their worried
minds. Sunday morning dawned. I imagine some woke up hoping it was
all a bad dream. Then reality settled in, like heavy summer storm
clouds. Jesus was still dead.

Two women got ready first and went to the tomb. Expecting to find the body of their beloved Savior, God treated them instead to a display of His
power. With a violent earthquake shaking the ground, an angel of
the Lord came from heaven, rolled back the stone covering the
tomb and sat down on the rock. Hello!

The angel looked at the women, and spoke words that transformed them from hopeless to hope-filled: "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen,
just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly
and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead
of you into Galilee" (Matthew 28:5-7a, NIV).

Can you even imagine the celebration? It had only looked like failure. Instead, it was glorious victory! Hope wasn't dead.
Jesus was alive! The disciples learned a lesson they would never
forget: When God is involved, things aren't always what they seem.

Today we see problems and failures with the same eyes as the disciples. Even knowing that God is able to do things beyond what we can imagine, when
we look at a "failure," we often only see an ending. God, however,
sees an opportunity for a new beginning. As we celebrate Easter,
may that truth nestle itself into our heart. With God all things are
possible. He is risen!

Dear Lord, my heart is filled with thanksgiving and praise for You. How can I begin to thank You for sending Jesus, and for His sacrifice for me?
Thank You also for the lesson that nothing is too big for You. Help me
remember that truth when I'm facing what looks like failure. In Jesus'
Name, Amen.

Reflections:

When you have failed in the past, what have people done or said that was most helpful to you at that time?

Power Verses:

Luke 18:27, "Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'" (NIV).

Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they
will walk and not be faint." (NIV).

[Prophetess Dr. Teloria Williams]

Praise Him! Your words are an encouragement to all who read them. We need more individuals like you to
make the word come to life for us. We may not be all that we will be , but with encouragement we will continue to strive for perfection. God Bless! Pastor Teloria Williams Holy Ghost Powerhouse