Month: March 2025

Easter is a remembrance and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is recorded in the four Gospels: Matthew 28: 1-16, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:1-29. Also, remember again this principle in a study of the Bible, anything that is repeated two or more times, demands attention.

The facts of the resurrection are very clear as recorded in 1st Corinthians 15:3,4:

” For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance (1) that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (2) that He was buried, (3) that He was raised on the 3rd day according to the scriptures.”

The significance of the resurrection is also very clear: 1st Corinthians 15:17 ,20:

1. ” And if Christ has not been raised (1) your faith is futile; (2) you are still in your sins.”

2 ” But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,

3. the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Easter is also a remembrance and celebration of the believer’s resurrection.

1. The believer is made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2: 4-5)

“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………”

2. The believer is made a new person in Christ. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Nature itself has, since the beginning of time, prepared people for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God has put within the heart of every person a desire for a new life-— a resurrection to a new and better life. Unlike nature which experiences a new birth each year you and I must choose to participate in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is necessary only one time.

John 1:12,13 “But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.“

Once you are born again you cannot be unborn!

If this makes sense to you, I encourage you to seek out a Christian friend or go to your pastor and make this simple request: I want to be born again.

It is so easy to plan activities. present and future and then ask God to bless them.

There are many ways we do this: we read a book and are challenged; we hear a speaker tell of God’s call; we listen to a counselor who assures us that we are gifted; we have an older brother or sister whose success inspires us. Each has value. However, God may have a different path for you.

One thing we know for certain: God wants to direct our steps. In the midst of all these good goals, the Lord may have a better one for you. If you will prayerfully ask Him to direct you, He will. But you must be sensitive to God’s voice and willing to follow His directions.

The following verses in Psalm 123:2,3 give a very clear picture of how we should discern the plan the Father has for us:

” Behold as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the eyes of her mistress; so, our eyes wait upon the Lord our God until that he has mercy upon us.“

Now notice the setting for this. You are a servant in a large, crowded and noisy dining room. The guests are laughing and visiting with one another. The meal is half over, and you are now standing at a short distance from your employer. You have been trained to be alert and to watch him. If he needs something from you, he will simply raise a hand, which is seen only by you. You immediately go to him, and he whispers to you what he wants you to do.

One application of this is found in First Kings 19: 9-15. In this passage Elijah Is it running for his life and ready to give up and die. But God speaks to the prophet: first, in a great and strong wind, then in an earthquake, next in a fire and finally the sound of a low whisper. If God wants your attention and to give you instructions, but you must listen for his voice.

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. But you must lay it all on the line before Him, and when you hear his voice, you must listen and follow Him. How do we hear his voice? by having a personal quiet time with the Lord, by hearing the Bible preached by a faithful servant and especially by a personal study of the word of God!

Jesus said:” My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

If you are facing a decision or are in a difficult situation don’t wait for the wind, the earthquake or the fire, but take the initiative and listen for that whisper: the voice of the Lord Jesus. As you follow the personal steps noted above, and should you need confirmation seek council from your pastor or a brother or sister in the Lord.

I love that old song which says trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

How sensitive are you to God’s plan for your life?

Dear reader, if you have no plan for your life and what one, but have no one to turn to, simply bow your head and pray this prayer: ” God I do not have a plan for my life but I know you can help me. Pease send somewhat into my to guide me.”

A young man came to Jesus and asked a question. It was a good question, very clear, precise and thought through, and he wanted an answer.

He asked, “….. what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16)

Now, this is a question that has been asked all through the centuries by those who realize that though having and doing everything, something is missing.

The answer Jesus gave was very clear: keep the commandments of God and then he quoted six of the ten: do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, honor your parents and love your neighbor. Notice also that these six are easily observable.

The answer the man gave to Jesus was also very clear. Apparently, he had kept all six since childhood. He then rephrased his question from what I must do to what I am lacking. He was very sincere in his question. He was a good man, but to have eternal life one must be more than a good man. One must be a perfect man, a new man in Christ.

Jesus then told him, “If You want to be perfect, go now and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor— You will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me! When the young man heard that he sadly turned away for he was very wealthy (Matthew 19: 21, 22)

Jesus spoke to this also in Luke 9: 23- 25. ” And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it, for what is a man advantaged if he gained the whole world and lose himself, or be cast away?”

The man lacked that one thing, and he knew immediately what it was, and he went away from Jesus, very sad.

My question for the reader: what is one thing you lack, that prevents you from living a fruitful life for Jesus? (By fruitful life I am referring to John chapter 15)

Let me encourage you to first make sure that you belong to Jesus. Then (1) do your own assessment of your life, (2) deal with what needs to be changed and (3) rejoice and be fruitful.

Reader, if you have no one to help you pray this very simple prayer : ” God I want to belong to Jesus and do that which will please you. Please send someone to help me.”

Are you ever afraid? In today’s world there are so many things that can cause fear: war terrorism, earthquakes, illness, uncertainty over the future and the unknown.

In Matthew 14 Jesus’ disciples were in a boat on a lake. A strong wind had come up and they were having trouble rowing the boat. Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When they saw Him, they were terribly frightened.

In verse 27 Jesus said to them: ” It’s all right. I am here! Don’t be afraid.”

And when He got into the boat with them, the wind stopped, and all was calm.

As believers we can know that Jesus is with us, and we do not have to be afraid. He gives peace and calm in the midst of any storm.

In Isaiah 41 10 God tells us: ” Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold you with my victorious right hand.”

Also, we read in Joshua 1:9 ” Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

And in Hebrews 13: 5,6: We read: For God has said,” I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” (That is why we can say with confidence), ” The Lord is my helper so I will not be afraid. What can mere men do to me?”

In whatever storm you’re in, you can look to God for help. When you invite Him Into your life you can know He will take care of you.

In times of fear, you need to remember “It’s all right. I am with you! Don’t be afraid.”

Dear reader, If you are afraid and have no one to help you, pray this very simple prayer: ” God I am afraid. Please send someone into my life to help me.”