The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a promise that has transformative power for us both for the future and for the present. The key to unlocking this power in your life is twofold: to truly believe and to understand what it means. The resurrection of Jesus Christ has the power to transform you into a passionate, enthusiastic, bold, and sold-out follower of Jesus! This Easter Sunday we take time to consider the resurrection what it means for you and me!

What Jesus did on the cross was so much more than a simple act of love. It was a rescue. When we were utterly helpless Jesus died for us. We were held hostage to sin, but Jesus paid our ransom. To truly understand the depth of Christ’s love, we must consider both, our condition, and the cost.

Jesus told a parable to teach his followers to always pray and never give up. He shows them the power of persistence in prayer. What is that you've stopped believing and praying for? The answers don't always come as soon as we hope, but every prayer makes a difference. Today we learn how to "go the distance," in our prayers.

In order to prepare for the fight, the fighter must also train outside of the ring. The outside training, referred to as "roadwork," is done in addition to the sparring sessions inside the ring and is designed to build a fighter's endurance so that he can go the distance. For the Christian, fasting is a lot like this "roadwork" training. When we add it to the sparring session of prayer, it equips us to overcome the spiritual battles we will face in the future.

A fighter doesn't become a champion because he suddenly decided to get in the ring with the defending champion. Champions are forged through hours of vigorous daily training in the ring. To step into the ring without the preparation that comes from sparring would be foolish. Without an intimate daily prayer relationship, Christians will not be able to operate in the power and authority that they were meant to possess. If we want to fight as champions, we need to "Spar".

Paul reminds the church that they are fighting a spiritual battle and must use spiritual tactics to win. God has equipped and armed us for battle, but engaging in spiritual warfare with physical tactics is like trying to win a fight by shadow boxing. Many Christians today simply don't have much of a prayer life. As a result, they find themselves as spectators sitting ringside, not engaged in the fight. Prayer is the battleground and God is calling His church to engage in the battle!

God wants to expand our knowledge of who He is. There are moments in life where God wants to re-introduce Himself to us. These re-introductions teach us to put hope in who God is, and not only on what He can do.

The letter to the church in Laodicea has no mention of heresy or sexual immorality, like some of the other churches. Yet it receives the harshest rebuke. What could upset Jesus more than a church that permitted the spirit of Jezabel, or the teaching of Balaam? A church that lacked passion. A church that didn't care! How can such a church restore the passion it once served God with? Join us for the series finale of "Circle the Wagons."

The church in Philadelphia was one of only two churches who were commended without any rebuke. To this church, Jesus encourages them to continue trusting in Him and promises that He will make a way, He will protect them, and He will bring them home. No matter what it is you face today, it is not your strength, but your trust in Him that will continue to carry you through!