by leaps and bounds

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:4-7).

Can you imagine going to a tomb expecting a body to be there, but instead finding it empty? That would be more than enough to render you perplexed and afraid.

Notice what was said: ”Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but He is risen.” Then they were reminded that Jesus had spoken to them about being crucified and rising again on the third day. Obviously, what Jesus said would happen- did happen.

An old Easter hymn contains these words: “I serve a risen Savior; He’s in the world today. I know that He is living; whatever men may say.” I can’t speak for you, but I would love to go to Israel and visit the site where they say Jesus was buried. In my heart and mind I believe I would hear, “Don’t search for the living among the dead. He is not here; He is risen.”

If we look for Him in our dead works- He is not there. If we look for Him in broken dreams- He is not there. If we look for Him in shattered relationships- He is not there. Jesus is alive and does not dwell in the midst of dead things.

Jesus is alive and brings life into our situation. He causes us to rise up to do works that are pleasing to God and that further His kingdom. He brings new life that enables us to dream new dreams. He steps into our lives and helps us establish healthy relationships with others.

He is alive! Since He is alive, we can enjoy a life worth living.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

Many years ago I remember a man testifying that he had listened to many sermons, but did not become a Christian as a result of hearing them. Then he visited a church and listened to a simple sermon regarding the cross and the crucifixion of Jesus. This is the sermon that touched him deeply and persuaded him to give his life to the Lord.

Could it be that we have- at times- moved away from the simplest, yet most powerful doctrine of the Bible? The Apostle Paul stated it this way, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:1-2). Paul, a highly educated man, chose not to dazzle the people with flamboyant words. He simply wanted to preach Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ crucified.

Why is the crucifixion of Jesus so important? Among the reasons we can name, there is one we seem to forget at times. That reason is the fact that Jesus was our substitute. Years ago, gospel music itself often alluded to this truth.

I understand that I am really dating myself- telling my age- but that is alright with me. As a child, I remember singing various songs out of the hymnal. Oh, more memorable songs like “ Amazing Grace,” “ Leaning On the Everlasting Arms” and “ I’ll Fly Away” were in that hymnal. However, “He Bore it All,” a lesser known song became etched in my memory. One line in that song says, “I was condemned to die, but Jesus took my place.” Think of how powerful those words are.

“I Should Have Been Crucified,” written by Gordon Jensen in the 1960s, is another song that follows this line of thought. One line in the song says, “I should have hung on that cross in disgrace, but Jesus, God’s Son, took my place.” This is a great reminder of the fact we are the ones who have sinned. It is also a reminder that Jesus took our place and paid the price for us so we can obtain forgiveness.

Sermons dealing with joy, peace, victory, etc., are needed. However, now and then we need reminded of how much we really need Jesus. Without Him substituting Himself for us, joy, peace, victory- forgiveness itself would elude us. We must continue to be thankful that Jesus is our substitute.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them… (Luke 9:56).

Have you ever noticed that Satan’s agenda and God’s agenda for us are polar opposites? Jesus made this evident in John 10:10: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Contemporary Christian artist, Jeremy Camp, wrote and recorded a song titled “Dead Man Walking.” One line of the song says, “I was a blind man falling until I felt the life you’re calling me to.” The life God calls us to is not hopeless, discouraging and disappointing. Sure there will be gains and losses, ups and downs and successes and failures. However, these will not define the overall tenor of our lives. The abundant life offers more than life’s struggles can ever take away.

John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Freedom in Jesus is a wonderful thing. Consider the words of James: “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it- not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it- they will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:25) Notice the word “blessed.” We are truly blessed to be free in Jesus.

It is important to realize that before we became Christians, our sins ruled over us. We were slaves and did not have the power to overcome our sinfulness. That changed when we gave our lives to the Lord. Romans 6:22 says, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holines, and the end everlasting life.”

Freedom in Jesus and power over sin sounds great, doesn’t it? That isn’t all! There is also the absence of condemnation. Romans 8:1 states, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Finally, the Bible tells us God is the author of peace- not confusion. That is so true! We are free. Our sins are forgiven. Sin no longer bullies us. We no longer live under the cloud of condemnation. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).We have peace that passes all understanding.

This is the life He has called us to!

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain to you; listen carefully to what I say.” (Acts 2:14)

Spring! This is the time of year when the flowers bloom again, the birds come back looking for places to build their nests and our lawns grow fast enough to need mowing. Over all, it is a time of new beginnings.

The Day of Pentecost was a day of new beginnings for Peter. As he stood up to proclaim the gospel to the people of Jerusalem, he experienced something he may have thought was beyond his reach. Consider what had happened before this day.

Peter had told Jesus that he would never deny Him or leave Him. However, after Jesus was arrested- Peter denied Him three times. Peter wept bitterly over his failure and then left the scene. Figuring that it was all over, he went back to his fishing nets. He probably thought he was disqualified from ever doing anything for Jesus again. Can you imagine the relief he felt when he was able to stand before the city of Jerusalem and proclaim Jesus to all of those people?

You know, we are allowed new beginnings, also. We may feel that we have let the Lord down. We may think we can never do anything for Jesus again. This is simply not true.

God’s Word declares that He is not a respecter of persons. In other words, He does not love one person more than the other. He is willing to help everyone. So, if Peter was given a chance for a new beginning- we can be given the same opportunity.

So as we enjoy the spring weather, let us think about new beginnings. Let us seize the opportunity to begin again. After all, God is waiting to help us do just that.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

“Wait!” That is not an easy thing for most of us to do. We have to wait in doctors’ offices. We have to wait at stop lights when we are in a hurry. Most of us would probably say waiting is not our cup of tea, so to speak.

We live in somewhat of a “microwave” generation. We want things to happen- and we want things to happen NOW! This can also carry over into our prayer lives. However, God does not always answer prayer in a split second. God does not always answer in the way we expect either.

As our Heavenly Father, God has free rein to answer in His way. God can answer “Yes.” God can answer “No.” And- are you ready for this? God can answer “Wait a while.” The “wait a while” can really get to us. In the waiting, there are things we must consider.

God is all knowing. He knows what lies ahead. He knows what is best for each of us now and in the future. We must consider that He always has our best interest in mind. Jeremiah 29:11- a popular verse- says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God is always on time. He is never too late. He is never too early. His timing is absolutely perfect. If we know this, why should we ever want to hurry things along?

Finally, look at the verse at the top of the page. “Wait on the Lord and He shall strengthen your heart.” There is something to be gained in the waiting. God uses the waiting time to make us stronger. That is a real blessing to us.

So, when God says, “Wait” let’s put the microwaves away. What seems slow cooking to us will yield a much better product than our impatience could ever give us.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.