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“A Word for this Week” - Pastor Bill Mugnolo

Week of April 1-7, 2024: “Childlike Faith” … 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

Out of all the special requests that I’ve ever received to carry out a pastoral function for an individual, the one I had several weeks ago was most special. My young granddaughter, Charlotte, asked me to bless her stuffed animals who were “dying”. After giving the traditional Benediction, she laid the toys on the floor where they “died”. Then, Charlotte said something that her Grandpa will never forget: “Now Jesus is going to raise them from the dead.”

Such childlike faith is what we are meant to have about Our Lord’s resurrection and about our own that is to come when He returns. This is, as the Apostle Paul says, “of first importance” to our faith. And yet Jesus’ first disciples, the “adults” that they were, had to be visibly convinced that Our Lord was truly alive. But once they became affirmed in such childlike faith in the resurrection, they went out and boldly proclaimed it—even suffering death for the sake of this essential belief.

As we celebrate Our Lord’s Resurrection this Easter Season, the Risen Christ calls us to a childlike faith. This is a faith that is trusting (Proverbs 3:5). This is a faith that is eager to learn the things of God—to soak them up like a sponge (2 Peter 3:18). It is a faith that is so willing to share what we’ve learned with others (Acts 4:20).

As it was with His first disciples, the Lord will often have to break through our hardened hearts so that we would believe. But as He does this, He gives to us the same message that He once gave to them: “Peace be with you” (John 20:19, 26). This is the peace of sins forgiven. This is the peace that will be with us all our days (John 14:27, Philippians 4:7). This is the peace that assures us of what the holy angels will say on the Day of Our Lord’s Return: “Now Jesus is going to raise them from the dead.”

Replace today's negative thoughts with God's eternal truths

The world says: "Its impossible." God says: "All things are possible." (Luke 18:27)

The world says "I'm too tired." God says: "I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28-30)

The world says: "Nobody really loves me." God says: "I love you." (John 3:16, 34)

The world says: "I can't go on." God says: "My grace is sufficient." (2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 91:15)

The world says: "I can't figure things out." God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5- 6)

The world says: "I can't do it." God says: "You can do all things." (Philippians 4:13)

The world says: "I'm not able." God says: "I am able." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

The world says: "It's not worth it." God says: "It will be worth it." (Roman 8:28)

The world says: "I can't forgive myself." God says: "I forgive you." (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1)

The world says: "I can't manage." God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Philippians 4:19)

The world says: "I'm afraid." God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." (2 Timothy 1:7)

The world says: "I'm always worried and frustrated." God says: "Cast all your cares on Me." (1 Peter 5:7)

The world says: "I'm not smart enough." God says: "I give you wisdom." (1 Corinthians 1:30)

The world says: "I feel all alone." God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)