Welcome to New Life Community Church        "Where New Life is Found in Christ"

Living Better After Easter
By John Motz
Every year we build up to the celebration of Easter, and every year we then move along. We hope that something of the resurrected Jesus has a way of rubbing off on us, changing us going forward. It is interesting to me that the gospels also share the disciples' excitement and struggle of what to do next. In the final chapter of the Gospel of John (21), we read how following Easter Sunday the disciples had returned home to the familiar surroundings of the Sea of Galilee area and were out one night fishing. In the early morning hours, overwhelmed with a large catch of fish! John has an "Ah ha" moment, "It is the Lord!" he says, and with this everything changes! But what was it that clicked? Was it the sound of His voice? Was it His net casting directions that jogged their memory (Luke 5)? Was the magnitude of the catch? I’m not sure, but John noticed something that revealed Jesus to him in that moment.
This noticing Jesus is the key for moving forward. Working on a new habit of being attentive, trying not to let good things pass by unnoticed. It is easy to get numbed by the normal, distracted by the chaos, or beaten down by the discouraging way life sometimes goes. But the ability to see His fingerprints on our circumstances, or to recognize His blessings even while confronted by the difficulties changes everything for us. Jesus is Raised! We have an everlasting Hope!! May we have eyes to see it!!!
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18