The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Tis the day after Easter.

I hope that your celebration was far deeper and much more grand than simply chocolate and bunnies. I don’t want to sound like a grumpy old man, but the thought of the Easter bunny taking center stage really grieves my heart.

‘Tis the day after Easter.

How absolutely wondrous is the truth that not only did the Lord Jesus shed His blood for us and die on the cross for our sins, He gloriously, victoriously, triumphantly arose. The Apostle Paul told us, “And if Christ be not risen, then our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). A few verses later he exclaimed, “But not is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

If you know Christ as your Savior, I hope that you celebrate His resurrection every day. Hear those wonderful words over and over again, “But now is Christ risen from the dead!”

In agony he suffered and His life He gave.
Three days later victoriously He rose from the grave.
We serve a risen Savior!

He’s alive! He’s alive! We actually celebrate His resurrection every day in our personal lives. We celebrate His resurrection corporately as His Church every Sunday. But today, in a very profound and personal way, we celebrate RESURRRECTION SUNDAY.
Christ the Lord Is Risen

(To the tune of Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee)

1. It was such a painful picture – see the Lord hung on the cross.
Darkness veiled the skies above Him, suffered He such awful loss!
Paid the price of our transgressions, now God’s wrath was satisfied.
So amazing is our Savior, “It is finished!” Jesus cried.

2. It was for my sin He suffered on the cross of Calvary.
He was cut off from His Father, bearing oh such agony!
In the temple (so amazing!) how the veil was torn that day
From the top down to the bottom, Christ has opened now the way.

3. From the cross His body taken, buried in a nearby tomb.
His disciples bore such sorrow, how their lives were filled with gloom.
Then on Sunday morning early, in the midst of all their tears,
Met by angels with the message (such great news calmed all their fears):

4. “He’s alive! Yes, He has risen! He arose just as He said.
Go and tell His dear disciples, Christ has risen from the dead.”
‘Tis the power of God Almighty, shout the news of victory!
We will live with Him forever! Oh, what joy eternally!

On behalf of all who make Dr. Mike’s Daily Prescriptions available to you, may I say Blessed Resurrection Sunday indeed!

“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised again the third day” (Matthew 16:21).

Their grief was overwhelming. If they only knew that Resurrection Sunday was coming!
Their devastation was indescribable. If they only knew that Resurrection Sunday was coming!
Their plans were shattered. If they only knew that Resurrection Sunday was coming!
Their dreams and hopes were crushed. If they only knew that Resurrection Sunday was coming!

They thought for sure that the Lord Jesus was their Messiah, and in fact, He was. But the precious disciples completely overlooked and apparently forgot the many Old Testament references that proclaimed that Messiah would also be our Savior-Redeemer and suffer for our sins. They heard the Lord Jesus speak very clearly about His mission, but somehow it didn’t sink in. I’ve been guilty of that as well. How about you?

Oh friends, if you know Christ as Savior, you might be traveling some very difficult roads right now. But because Resurrection Sunday indeed came, everything changes. Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? If not, would you take a moment to click the banner “Heaven” right there on my website? It’s Saturday, but Resurrection Sunday is coming!

He is no longer on the cross.

But it is a precious time around the world to remember again the tremendous sacrifice and the supreme price that the Lord Jesus paid as He took our place, took our sins, bore our shame, suffered separation from His Father as the holy, holy, holy wrath of God struck Him. He who never sinned became sin for us.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Paul never got over the incredible gift of forgiveness and salvation extended to him in salvation solely on the basis of God’s grace and Christ’s work on Calvary and the empty tomb. Frankly, neither have I. The Lord Jesus, God’s sinless, perfect Son, took our sins upon Himself on the cross and paid the debt in full. Three days later He arose in victory over sin and the grave. Christ Jesus indeed came into the world to save sinners. For me, the longer I walk with the Lord, the more my amazement grows as does the conviction that I am the chief of sinners. Oh, what amazing grace!

This is what I’m thinking today: As the hymn states, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” Do you know Christ as your own Savior? If not, would you take a moment to go to www.michaelpeck.org and click the banner “Heaven”?

To me, April seems to be flying by. Does it to you?

Every day I receive in my email inbox something from Trivia Today. It is a fun little test of one’s knowledge. Four choices are always given, and of course only one answer is correct. Recently the trivia question was “What artist, known for portraying scenes of rural life, didn’t begin painting until her seventies?” Of the four possibilities, one was Grandma Moses. And guess what? I got it right. Living from 1860 to 1961, her real name was Anna Mary Robertson Moses. As you know, her paintings became very popular and have been admired for her nostalgic charm. Incredibly she exhibited her work into her 90s and painted until a few months before her death at age 101.

I just can’t help but think of how many folks receive my Daily Prescriptions who are in the same category I am in, namely, being a senior citizen. I totally accept the fact that I am growing older. I embrace and celebrate it, to tell you the truth. Think of it.

I have learned lessons that are precious to me during my lengthy lifetime.
I am this much closer to Home where I will meet my Savior face-to-face.
I am going to be reunited with my redeemed loved ones and stand in awe in the glories that await.
I can’t do many of the things that I used to do. However, I don’t want to quit and just wait for the Lord to take me. I want to live for Him, learn about Him, represent Him well in this world, encourage others and be a blessing to someone daily. I want to point as many people to the Lord Jesus as possible.

Think of it, friends. Some of my friends prefer the KJV, so let me share this text from that translation. “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To show that the LORD is upright…” (Psalm 92:14-15a). Now please allow me to share the verse in the New King James Version, “They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing. To declare that the LORD is upright” (Psalm 92:14-15a).

Regardless of your age, if you are a follower of the Lord Jesus, you are still here, which tells me clearly that He still has opportunities for you to serve Him. It might not be as rigorous as it used to be, but I guarantee it will be a blessing to others. Keep looking up and joyously serving.