One morning, my husband came down the hall with a vaguely familiar aroma wafting in his wake – an aroma that took me back many decades. I asked him, “WHAT are you wearing?” And he told me, “I saw some Old Spice on sale, and I bought a bottle of it – what do you think?” To which I replied, “You smell like my grandfather!” Some smells bring back memories of people or places. And I think that might have happened to Peter on this day that John is recording for us. The header for the beginning portion of John 21 in my Bible is “Breakfast by the Sea” – but I decided to temporarily rename it “The Smell of Burning Coals” – because I imagine that’s one of the first things Peter noticed about this day. Peter and his friends had gone back to fishing, since they did not yet have their commission from Jesus – and Peter might have believed that Jesus no longer had a purpose for him. While they were fishing, they heard a voice calling out from the shore. (It was Jesus, and John was the first to quickly figure that out.) As soon as Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, dove into the sea and swam quickly to the shore – where he saw Jesus cooking fish and bread over a charcoal fire. The smell of those burning coals must surely have been a reminder of the night not that long ago when Peter, warming himself by the fire in the courtyard of the high priest, denied that he knew Jesus – not just once, but three times. He no doubt wished he could stay away from charcoal fires, because they would forever be a reminder of his denial of Jesus.  However, on this day, something was going to change. That same smell would become a new memory – a new reminder – a memory of the time when Jesus would forgive Peter not once, but three times – and restore him to his purpose. I hope you too have a memory of the time when you fully realized that Jesus had forgiven you – completely – not once, but many times over. Cherish that memory and fully embrace the joy of being forgiven – and then let the rest of your life be a big thank you note for His grace. By Judy Shrout

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15) One of my favorite shows the past couple of years has been American Idol. It is amazing getting to see talented people with different stories grow into artists and performers throughout the show. This year has been extra special. In Hollywood, one of the most secular parts of the world, God’s name has been glorified through the singers and judges. For Easter, they had a faith themed night where performers sang worship songs and included special guests like Brandon Lake and CeCe Winans. This was powerful watching from home and brought me back to Matthew 5 where Jesus reminds us that we are the light of the world. There are three ways we can do our part in displaying the light of Jesus in our dark world. 1. “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” I love Jesus’ imagery here. When you picture a city on a hill, it stands out and people notice it. In the same way we all have unique talents and abilities that allow us to have influence on other people. Jesus calls us not to hide our gifts, but to use them to glorify His name. What an amazing opportunity we have every day to use our platform to share the Good News we just celebrated at Easter. 2. “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand.” The second part of Jesus’ message is about purpose. The purpose of a lamp is to shine light, not cover it up. This is very convicting to me – convicting me to stay true to my purpose around my friends that are not believers, having the boldness to pray before our meal or invite them to church. But we serve a God so much bigger than ourselves, and He has put us right where we are to look different from our world – to be the light in the darkness. 3. “And it gives light to all who are in the house.” When we use our gifts for God’s purpose, it changes the culture around us. Now this is important: we are not called to save people; it is Jesus who does that, but we are called to live out our faith and share our testimonies. When we live with the light of Christ in us, it impacts those around us, and they can tell our joy is different. Have you ever been around someone that you gravitate toward because they radiate the love of Jesus? Those people in my life are so influential in my walk with Jesus and inspire me to live out my faith on my team and in my sport. My encouragement and my questions for you to reflect upon are: what areas of your life are you hiding the light, and how can God use you in this season to be the light of the world? By C.A. Carter C.A. is the daughter of Jimmy and Carrie Carter – and has just completed her freshman year and first year on the golf team at the University of Kentucky.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. (John 1:1-3) The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-4) [Jesus said], “I have come that you may have life and have it in abundance. ” (John 10:10) “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3) When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. (John 19:30) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:16-17) The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, whatever he saw… When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:1-2,17-18) When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb... And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5: 8-9) Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war… He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. (Revelation 19:11-13)  By LaRaine Rice LaRaine serves as the communications coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She is married to Jeff and the mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. Her favorite season is spring and the new life it brings.

John had a nickname for himself in the Gospel of John. He called himself “the disciple that Jesus loved” five times in the gospel of John. Perhaps he did so out of humility. Maybe he didn’t want to write in the first person in order to make the account sound more historical. Perhaps after spending time with Jesus, watching Him die, entering the empty tomb and talking with Jesus after the resurrection, there was only one conclusion to be made: Jesus loved John. And John chose to refer to himself in context of his relationship with Jesus. Other people who knew Jesus came to the same conclusion. In John 11:1-3, we read, “Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. So, the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Mary and Martha recognized that Jesus loved Lazarus and used the same “nickname” for him. Jesus truly loved John and Lazarus. He wept with Mary and Martha because He loved them. Jesus loved His mom, and He loved Judas. He wasn’t a big fan of the Pharisees and Sadducees, but He loved them too. You also are “The One that Jesus Loves.” You might not feel worthy of His love but know this truth: there’s nothing that will stop Him from loving you. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35,38-39). Beloved, do you accept His love? Do you truly understand the depth of His love for you? Today, refer to yourself as the “One that Jesus Loves.” For that is who you truly are. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine serves as the communications coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She is married to Jeff and the mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. Her favorite season is spring and the new life it brings.

The Gospel of John reveals essential truths about Jesus written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah (John 20: 31). God revealed His name to Moses in Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Jesus, God in Flesh, revealed more about what it means to be I AM. Jesus told us: “I AM the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). “I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). “I AM the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:7-9). “I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:11,14). “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). “I AM the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser… I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:1-5). Jesus also revealed His true identity in the garden: Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I AM” (John 18:4-5). His statement was so powerful that the soldiers fell down. This name for God (“am”) is in the present tense just as the word “is.” This means that God is all of these today. He IS the bread of life. He IS the light of the world. He IS the way, the truth and the life. God is all of these and so much more. Take time now to look back through these statements. Ask God to show you in what ways you need Him today. Are you feeling lost? He IS the Good Shepherd. Use one of the “I AM” verses above as a prayer. Ask God to guide you. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine serves as the communications coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She is married to Jeff and the mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. Her favorite season is spring and the new life it brings.

If a lot can happen in 3 years, an infinite amount can happen in 2000 years! While Jesus walked the earth, there were also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written (John 21: 25). Jesus, the man, was evidently busy those three years. And He has not stopped since then. Yes, we know that in John 14, He told the disciples that He was going to prepare a place for us to be with Him. But that is just part of it. His presence resides in those who believe on His name. Those of us who know Him, know that He continues to work in lives. Illnesses are healed. Marriages are saved. Hearts are mended. When we open our eyes, we can see Him at work everywhere around us. And it’s been this way since Pentecost. His work is like the grains of sand; we can’t count what He has done over the last two millennium. It’s truly unfathomable. But, for just a moment, right now, think about ALL that He has done in your life and maybe the life of your family and friends. Surely you can think of ten things He has done. Maybe even 20.  Today spend time remembering what He has done for you. Praise Him for it. And tell someone that Jesus is alive and at work in your life. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine serves as the communications coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She is married to Jeff and the mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. Her favorite season is spring and the new life it brings

A lot can happen in three years. A newborn can turn into an energetic three-year-old. Some can finish high school or college in three years. If we can accomplish so much in three years, just imagine how much God incarnate could do. John was there for most of it. In the closing of his Gospel account, John states, There are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written (John 21:25). So, how then did John (and the other Gospel writers) narrow down the story? Why not give us all the details? No one can be sure why exactly. Perhaps after Jesus’ resurrection, when He explained everything to the disciples, these were the stories and teachings He used. Maybe after a few years passed, John realized that while much of the ministry was exciting, it was the teachings of Jesus, His crucifixion and the events of Holy Week that deserved primary focus. After all, Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and His resurrection are the cornerstones of our faith. While we cannot be sure, the fact that there weren’t enough books to contain all that He did serves at least two wonderful purposes. First, it aligns with the rest of scripture helping to make the Bible one story of God’s redemption. The story begins with creation, is spotlighted through God’s chosen nation (the Hebrews), reaches the pinnacle with God’s presence on earth, continues through the Church and will culminate in Heaven. Had every last detail of Jesus’ life been recorded, we might have missed the most important week of all. Secondly, John’s gospel is compact. It highlights the most important events and teaches the reader just who Jesus was, or more correctly, is. It makes it easy to remember and to share with others. John stated in chapter 20, Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (30-31). John wrote what he wrote under direction of God so that we might believe. Today, as you have time, skim through the Gospel of John. See what is written there, ask the Lord for help in sharing His story with others so they may believe that Jesus is the Messiah. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine serves as the communications coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She is married to Jeff and the mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. Her favorite season is spring and the new life it brings.

Do you have plans for today? The Kentucky Derby? Prom? A wedding? A graduation? Fun plans – but not all weekend plans are fun. Some are chores -- yard work, house cleaning, grocery shopping. And is Spring Cleaning still a thing? Even if you don’t have plans this weekend, God has a plan for you: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God has a plan for each of us! The lyrics of the song, If It Was Up to Me , by Ben Fuller (featuring Carrie Underwood) speak of how we don’t like going through difficult times but then remind us that “He always has a purpose through the joy and suffering. I’d be crazy not to trust Him with everything... I’d never know how good Your plans could be if it was up to me.” In my own life, I can look back on the hard times and see His hand over all of it, and I can now appreciate the growth that came from those experiences. Psalm 33:11 tells us, The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. It is comforting to know that His plans and His purpose never change – ever! Sometimes we may think God can’t use us for anything. We might feel like Esther who thought she was powerless and useless when the Jewish people were threatened. Her uncle reminded her: “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). When we feel purposeless, we can reflect on this verse: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Jeremiah 1:5a). According to Merriam-Webster, the word “consecrate” means to dedicate to a sacred purpose. Yes, we all have a sacred purpose – that’s His plan! Are you seeking to know God’s plan for your life? First, surrender your will to His will and walk with Him in prayer and Bible study. Second, seek godly counsel from and fellowship with faithful Christ-followers who know you and know Him. Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14) The church is a place where we can find community – community that helps us discern God’s will for our lives and where we can be encouraged and counseled in our faith walk. Hope to see you at church tomorrow! By Jennifer Preston

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) Thomas’ confession, “My Lord and my God,” was a powerful declaration of belief, but it came after seeing Jesus physically and touching His wounds. It was a significant moment of realization for Thomas, but in John 20:29, Jesus directs attention to an even greater kind of faith — the faith of those who believe without seeing. Jesus affirmed Thomas for his belief, but He also pointed beyond the need for physical evidence. He highlighted the blessing reserved for those who trust Him based solely on His Word instead of personal, visible proof. This statement was not just for Thomas; it was meant for every believer who would come after him — including us. We are among those who have not physically seen Jesus, yet through the testimony of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit, we believe. Believing without seeing is challenging. In a world that often demands evidence and proof, faith requires trusting in things unseen. Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith is not about ignoring logic or reason but about trusting the promises of God and the reality of His presence, even when we cannot see Him. Jesus’ words in this verse remind us that faith is not dependent on physical experience but on the trustworthiness of God’s promises. It is not merely wishful thinking but confidence in His unchanging character and His revealed truth. The blessing Jesus speaks of here — “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” — is one of deep intimacy with God. It’s rooted in a relationship built on trust, rather than sight. For many of us, there are times when we might long for tangible proof of God’s presence or work in our lives. Like Thomas, we might cry out for something we can see or touch. Yet Jesus reassures us that believing without seeing carries a special blessing. Faith strengthens us, draws us closer to God, and anchors us in His promises even when circumstances seem uncertain. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus Himself acknowledges the difficulty of believing without seeing, yet He celebrates those who trust in Him regardless. Through the gift of His Spirit and the testimony of His Word, we have all we need to live a life rooted in faith. Believing without seeing is a gift of trust, rewarded with a deeper connection to God and His unshakable promises, even in the absence of visible proof. By Jim Connell Jim is the founder of Lexington Rescue Mission, and authors JesusIsLordBlog.com, FaithAnswersPress.net, and FAQs of Faith (a mobile app)