A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse March 12, 2018 Your Living Hope Scripture Reading – Mark 16:9 - 10 (NLT)“After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn't believe her." 

As human beings sometimes at least we can be so hard on those who are going through a struggle, or even having a hard time believing God for something. Take our perspective on the Lord's disciple Thomas for example. I am certain already you have filled in the blank: 'Oh, you mean, ______________ Thomas!'And yet as you look at today's text and survey the disciples, those who left all to follow Jesus, but just as He said to a man had all abandoned him. Now here they all are filled with deep grief and sorrow, weeping in a darkened room and behind closed doors. And why exactly was it that they were weeping? Simply because they were absolutely convinced that Jesus Christ was dead and gone. Perhaps even terrified that one or all of them may meet the same fate as Jesus did.

How can I be sure?  Because when Mary tells them the fact of the resurrection, which Jesus Himself had foretold the disciples time and time again, they thought somehow that she was out of her mind. In fact, if you check out Matthew 28, even when Christ appeared to the disciples some were doubting Him and His word!

Why is this to be a comfort to our hearts at all in 2018? Simply because we need to realize that God understands our doubts and even at times our unbelief, when we face the struggles of life. And yes, Jesus will come to us and speak to us encouraging us to even encourage others with the eternal truth that He is, 'Your Living Hope'. 

Prayer Father, I thank-you for the resurrection power of Jesus my Lord. Today I ask You to fill me with faith, and remove my doubts. Help me to speak words of hope, healing, health and heaven to others, who may be going through seasons of testing I pray in Jesus name. 

Memory Verse:  Ephesians 4:2 NLT “Always be __________ and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”