CHRIST JESUS HAS RISEN

2000 YEARS AGO

"ON THE THIRD DAY HE WILL RISE AGAIN,"

MATTHEW 28  1-9

JESUS HAS RISEN

HE HAS RISEN INDEED

JESUS IS ALIVE

HE WILL APPEAR AGAIN

O GLORIOUS DAY

WE LIVE---WE DIE

HOW DO YOU LIVE?

HOW DO YOU DIE?

GOD FORGIVES

WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS,

WE MUST ALSO FORGIVE OURSELVES,

IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST

AS YOUR PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR,

YOU CAN ASK HIM TO REIGN,

AS LORD OF YOU LIFE.

       PLACE YOUR TROUBLES AT THE FEET OF OUR LORD AND HE WILL CARRY THEM FOR YOU, AND HE WILL ALSO CARRY YOU.  GOD'S BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON THIS EASTER SUNDAY AND ALL THROUGH THE YEAR.                                                               RM

IMPORTANT LINK TO FOLLOW:   prayerletter@christianlife.com  

JESUS LAST HOURS

WERE YOU THERE?

Were you there, when they crucified my Lord,

Were you there, when they nailed Him to the tree,

Were you there, when they pierced Him in the side,

Were you there, when they laid Him in the tomb,

Oh,

Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,

WERE YOU THERE?

Read Jesus story of His last hours with God's Great Blessings,

John 18:1-19:42

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! The Lord is near."

Philippians 4:4-5

"Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them"

Matthew 18:20

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid...."

Hebrews 13:5b-6a

PEACE

"PEACE I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

BLESSINGS AND JOY                 RM

CHURCH OR NO CHURCH

     As I was looking out my kitchen window this morning, at the new beauty of Spring, I thought of our Father, the Creator of all that we see.  The wonder of everything, and as always, I could not imagine my life without my faith.  I could not survive a half a heart beat without it.  I am not strong enough or good enough to go it alone.  Which leads me to our question of the day, church or no church.  I know I am tilting at windmills, with this subject, however I must.
     It is a very serious subject and one the world, but I rather believe, the United States is more in danger of dismissing.  Why dismissing, because we think of ourselves so powerful and wealthy that Church is no longer needed as a Nation to be great.  Yet our "Founding Fathers" thought it was most important.  But this morning I am not addressing the Nations belief or its political position, I am talking about our personal belief.
      Let me say straight up, I am a Church person.  And I have gone to and belong to many, many Churches.  I am comfortable in all of them, because I just love Church. My Aunt use to say of me that even as a little girl, it was Church first, then the Easter Egg hunt.  That was the greatest complement that she could ever pay me. 
     But, for all of you naysayers, no, I am not advocating one particular Church.  On the contrary, to me, it doesn't matter which Church a person goes to.  It is being with a body of believers, a gathering in the Lord's name, of sharing ones knowledge, joy, sorrows, and learning about the greatness and mercy of our Lord our God and His love for us. It is also the support as much as the experience that is so important.
   A new buzz word, that I almost choke, as I say it, in retail today, is "they" want their customers to have a pleasant "shopping experience".  Of course "they" do, the longer you are there, the more money that you will spend.  My point being, your "Church experience" is free.
     What a person receives from gathering with other believers is so great and good, one can't imagine, unless you have been there.  The feeling that you have as you step outside, renewed and refreshed, is wonderful.  And the Church members are your extended family, the Leader, is the voice of the Word, (the Bible, God the Father, Jesus, the Lord, the Holy Trinity).  Even if nothing that you are going through, is any different, when you leave that Church, I guarantee, the experience, will give you new hope and straight to carry on.  And the time spent in that Church will be peaceful, calming, and for that short time all else is forgotten.  The real and sometimes harsh world, will be waiting outside the door but you will be better equipped to handle it, again, I guarantee. 
     Another point that is so sad, is we, as a nation, are raising generations of non-churched children.  Taking for granted that these children will never need the help or strength of God's presence.  This is not only selfish but so unkind to ones own children.  My Mother and Father went to Church as young people, but not as adults;  however, they always sent me to Church.  They were sweet and old fashion believers.  My Dad, was so sentimental, but quiet about his faith, but you knew it was there.  And I remember always saying my prayers with my Mom, at bedtime.  I give them so much credit for giving me this foundation because I have certainly needed it, through out my life.  Whatever, has happened in an adults life should not keep them from giving their children the opportunity to know our heavenly Father.  So much separates us from God in this World today, don't let it be you. 
     I have known so many people that have been raised in Church by their parents, then something separates them from the Church;  divorce, moving, despair (just when you need it the most), jobs, so many reason, and never go back.  Sometimes they think they are not worthy to go to Church, that is so sad.  We all have gifts to give to the world, as pointed out Sunday, but we need to be reminded of how important we are to God and His plan.   God opens His arms to everyone.  Just open the Bible in the New Testament, at any place and you will read of God's great love for us.  He gave His only Son for us, what more could a Father do!!!  I have heard people say, "I am divorced, I can't go to Church, of course you can.  There is a Church family out there for you, no questions ask, just that you need God's love, understanding and are willing to listen.  God takes broken souls and mends them as perfectly as a fine Tailor.
     I could go on and on and have, but one last  point.  Many people have said to me over the years, "I don't need to go to Church, it is only a building."  Well yes, it is only a building,  but it is the House of the Lord.  Look at it as visiting a friend or family;  you are always welcome, always a shoulder to cry on, always an encouraging word and always a sweet lesson to be learned.  What more could a person want from a friend.  And please please, always remember the song,  "Oh, what a friend we have in Jesus".

God's Blessings to you always and Joy in abundance,                          RM

THE CRUCIFIXION

They placed the cross upon His back

Yet, no one seemed to care

The weight across His shoulders

Seemed more than He could bear.

The spikes were driven in His hands

And pounded through His feet

The ones who had convicted Him

Were cheering in the street

The crown of thorns placed on His head

Brought blood upon His brow

The day of prophecy had come

He had to face it now.

The sins of man were laid to rest

He bore a heavy loss

The agony He must have felt

As He hung there on the cross.

The innocent blood of Jesus Christ

Was shed for all to see

The Son of God was Crucified

And died for you and me.

             (Written By MARILYN FERGUSON---from the Hurst Herald, Vol 8 Issue4, 4-1-09)