March25 , 2023

    Open Your Eyes

    Related

    Pastor Rick Warren Says Final Sermon at Saddleback

    Pastor Rick Warren delivered his final sermon at Saddleback Church on August 28, 2022 with a message going back to the theme of his first sermon 43 years ago.

    Christians Denounce Greene’s Call for Christian Nationalism

    Thousands of Christians in the US signed a petition denouncing a lawmaker's call for Christian nationalism.

    Christian Groups Condemn Same-Sex Marriage Bill

    More than 80 Christian groups in the US condemned the bill legalizing same-sex marriage. In a letter signed by 83 faith-based groups, it called the Senate to oppose the said bill which they claim is an attack on people of faith.

    Ukrainian Kids Attend Bible Camps in Hungary

    Ukrainian refugee children have enjoyed Bible camp despite being away from their homeland.

    Bible Distribution Grew Despite Pandemic

    The United Bible Societies (UBS) announced that around 32.6 million copies of the Bible were distributed in 2021, a 5.5% increase compared to the previous year.

    Share

    Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-35

    We read in this passage about a couple discouraged disciples. Like many people today, they had given up!

    So often, in the church, we speak of the “good old days” as being a time that cannot be repeated. It is as if we think God was more alive back then than He is NOW!

    I believe the biggest enemy of the church today just might be discouragement. Some folks get down, tired, and low, even though God has proven Himself time and time again.

    In today’s text, we can see how discouragement CAN guide our steps. The disciples’ Lord was dead. His body was missing, and they were having a hard time keeping their heads up!

    In verse 14, we see they began to dwell on the past. They became so focused on the past that they became blinded to His presence with them NOW.

    So often, in the church, we speak of the “good old days” as being a time that cannot be repeated. It is as if we think God was more alive back then than He is NOW!

    Because of this, their senses, like many of ours, were deadened by discouragement. They were dead in their steps just as, in many churches, they are dead in their seats!

    Their discouragement was detectable by others. Jesus did not ask the disciples in verse 17, “How are you fellas doing?” Jesus knew how they were