"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” ” – Matthew 28:1-7 (NIV)
Second Chances
Our God Is the God of “Do-Overs”
Scripture
The miraculous lesson of Easter is this: Through Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross and Resurrection, we have been granted a second chance. We have permission to leave our old lives behind and focus on the new day, with all its potential for joy and choices that honor God.
Our God is the God of “do-overs,” second chances, fresh starts, and new beginnings. And He doesn’t have any limit on how many you can have. But sometimes, we lose sight of what God can do because of something in the past. We’re stuck, unable to move forward with the wonderful plans He so desperately wants to reveal to us.
Because Jesus lives, we can have a new attitude toward ourselves. We can live amazed by His great love for us—that even when we’re at our worst, He still chose to die for us so we could be made right with Him (Romans 5:17). Let that sink in for a moment. Jesus died for our sins and is alive today to help us grow closer to Him and be changed by His Word and His Spirit.
Do you need a second chance? Ask God for one...or a third chance, fourth, or fifth—whatever you need. God is full of mercy and is longsuffering. His loving kindness never fails or comes to an end (Psalm 100:5).
Here’s a prayer to get you started:
"Thank You, God, that Jesus is alive! And God, I know it doesn’t do me any good to hang on to my mistakes when You lovingly stand before me with a fresh chance, so I let go of all the wrongs I’ve done. Take my sins and make me clean. I give it all to You, excited to see the beauty that You will bring from them."
It’s Never Too Late!
Find out how you can have the fresh start you are looking for. Read Now
All of Heaven Is Behind You
Do you have a challenge ahead? Joyce shares what you need to know to activate your gifts, talents…and God’s supernatural strength.
Key Scripture
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions....
Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
From Joyce
"We do not grow or become strong during life’s good times; we grow when we press through difficulties without giving up.”
Challenge
Luke 18:27 (AMP) says, What is impossible with man is possible with God. Think of an area in your life right now where you need a second chance—a “do-over." Then take some time to write down some of your favorite scriptures that remind you of God’s mercy and love for you. Ask God to speak to your heart and build your faith as you study. Then, grab a journal and write down the ways you see God working in your life.
Prayer
God, I know it doesn’t do me any good to hang on to my mistakes when You lovingly stand before me with a fresh chance, so I let go of all the wrongs I’ve done. Take my sins and make me clean. I give it all to You, excited to see the beauty that You will bring from them. In Jesus' name, amen.
How to Know Jesus
It’s time to experience Christ's love and embrace a brand-new beginning in Him.
Come home today.
