When we go through stressful times, practicing gratitude helps us experience the peace of Christ in our hearts.

The Holy Spirit knows just what we need and intercedes for us in perfect ways

The Holy Spirit is described in many ways including the Giver of Life, Comforter, Teacher, and Advocate. It brings order into the chaos of our lives in a powerful way.

When American Christians think about the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven, we typically think of it as something experienced after death. It’s so much more, and it involves living in the Kingdom of Heaven before you die!

Learning to stick with Jesus can be challenging. Sometimes we need to be pruned like a vine -- old attitudes, habits, or ways of thinking need to be removed to make room for growth in the ways we think and behave. When that happens, we learn to stick with Jesus, and we can trust that Jesus sticks with us.

A Christian disciple is both a follower of Jesus and a learner. Doing and serving are part of learning. God invites us to a life of following Jesus -- learning, doing, and serving -- but we can only do that because of Christ’s resurrection power. 1 John 3:16-24 assures us that God’s love abides in us when we see the needs of others and help as we are able. Our responses are about more than words or lip service. God calls us to truth and action.

It's difficult to deal with unknowns. Christ's resurrection is not about evidence or reasoning -- it's about a relationship. We want proof of the resurrection, but faith is a growing thing that has to be experienced.  Relationships with others can make all the difference as we become witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Relationships call for disruption! Relationships call for radical hospitality.

We want proof of the resurrection but faith is a growing thing. When we have doubts, it’s important to hang in there! Thomas often gets a bad rap for doubting the story the others tell him of seeing Jesus in person, but he asks very pragmatic questions that any normal human would ask. Thomas told the others he needed proof, seeing and touching. Did Thomas actually utilize both of those two means of proof (look at verse 27-28)?

An empty tomb and empty places in our lives . . . what do they have in common? The empty tomb led to new life for those who followed Christ. While our lives may sometimes feel empty, God stands ready to meet us just where we are -- in each ordinary and everyday moment.

In the middle of hard times, we may forget to celebrate that God is with us in our trials. Yet, even Jesus experienced celebration in the shadow of the cross.  During the past year it has often been difficult to rejoice. We have been trapped in a season of isolation, fear, and uncertainty. Such seasons do not last forever; in fact, the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV).