Month: April 2023

EASTER ~ A NEW DAY

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

30 When JESUS had tasted it, HE said, “IT IS FINISHED!”

Then HE bowed HIS head and gave up HIS SPIRIT. ~ John 19:30 NLT

EASTER ~ A NEW DAY! ~ Why is EASTER such a big deal to followers of JESUS CHRIST? No doubt some of you will dismiss the question, but think about all the people who have no idea why our sacred holiday is such a big deal. There are specific reasons for which we cannot merely settle for a bunny, flowers, and a feel-good holiday. We believe in the cross & the empty tomb!

For the Christian, EASTER is the proof of our faith because, without the resurrection, JESUS could not be the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON of GOD. However, the truth of this event goes so much deeper. Our great hope comes from the words, “HE IS RISEN JUST AS HE SAID!” EASTER morning gives us confidence and makes us seek JESUS to guide us daily. C. S. Lewis said it so well:

“I believe in CHRIST, like I believe in the sun —

not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else.”

We each fall so far short of earning heaven every day.  Our sin divorces us from GOD and HIS love. Nevertheless, the BIBLE says,

“When we were utterly helpless, CHRIST came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But GOD showed HIS great love for us by sending CHRIST to die for us while we were still sinners.”              

(Romans 5:6-8 NLT)

This is why EASTER is so important to us! Now, the choice is yours:

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of GOD.”

(I Corinthians 1:18 NLT)

Have you started A NEW DAY by giving your life to GOD and be saved? 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

PALM SUNDAY to EASTER SUNDAY!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “TEACHER, rebuke YOUR followers for saying things like that!”

HE replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Luke 19:39-40 ~ NLT~ (Habakkuk 2:11)

PALM SUNDAY to EASTER SUNDAY! What does your family do to make the most of this wonderful week? How do you make it special and different than any other time of the year? I fear many of us place more emphasis on CHRISTMAS than EASTER. For us, CHRISTMAS and EASTER ought to all be about HIS birth, death, burial, and resurrection. If you are a CHRIST–follower, I urge you to avoid making bunnies, peeps, and baskets the focus of this EASTER WEEK! Let’s emphasize JESUS & proclaim “HOSANNA! ~ Save Us!”

In the passage above, the Pharisees tell JESUS to keep EASTER a secret. If you read and listen to what JESUS said about this in Luke 12:8-9, then you will realize this is a very serious issue to our LORD and SAVIOR!

“And I assure you of this: I, THE MESSIAH, will publicly honor you in the presence of GOD’S angels if you publicly acknowledge ME here on earth as your Friend.” ~ The Living Bible ~ (TLB)

Listen to this same verse in THE MESSAGE BIBLE ~ (TMB):

“Stand up for ME among the people you meet and THE SON OF MAN will stand up for you before all GOD’S angels. But if you pretend you don’t know ME, do you think I’ll defend you before GOD’S angels?

Today, in church we sing the song, “Somebody is gonna praise HIS name” by PETRA. The lyrics state, “It will either be you and me, or it’s gonna be a rock or tree.” There is another great song that says, “Ain’t no rock gonna cry out in my place!” Do you struggle to share your faith in JESUS? FEAR NOT! ~ BE BOLD, BRAVE, & VERBAL! This is a great week to tell others about JESUS! They are wondering and listening. May JESUS and HIS HOLY WORD be on our hearts and lips every day this week! 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15