DEATH CAN BE LIFE

The week-end of June 11 and 12, 49 people started their day like any other day; I heard of a person who went to sleep one night totally expecting to wake up the next morning--he didn't. One person gave a concert fully expecting to return home. Forty-nine individuals decided to spend an evening of music and relaxation with the expectation of returning home. Fifty people didn't return home, one didn't wake up in the morning. The truth is most people believe when they wake in the morning they will see their bed that night; most people fall asleep believing they will wake the next morning. The attack in Orlando, Florida, is poignant to Americans because this is not the norm for life in these United States. In other parts of the world atrocities such as this is a daily occurrence.
My heart is heavily burdened for these peop le and for others facing these atrocities throughout the world. Every individual is and will be held accountable when the time comes for us to go before God. Some, like Mohammed Ali, believe if they are good-go to church on Easter, Christmas and a few Sunday's in between; donate clothes, money, even time-maybe God will allow them to enter heaven. The answer is NO. Many believe God, Jesus, the Bible is a huge fairy tale to keep the masses under control. The answer is NO. Unfortunately, our churches are filled with ones who are regular church attendees but are deaf and blind to what is spoken. For these people the answer is still NO.
The "good news" is out of death comes life. The song Glorious Day by Casting Crowns says it succinctly. Meditate on the message this song delivers:

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwell among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day.

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day.

If something happens to you before you slip between the blankets tonight, where will you spend eternity? What will you answer to God be when you meet Him face to face? You have a choice. You can choose His Son, Jesus Christ. You can make Him Ruler of your heart, mind, and soul. Ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins, ask Jesus to take up residence in your heart this very moment before your time is no more. Die to sin. Rise to eternal life. Out of death comes life, life everlasting.

 

 

'I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE"

LET US BASK IN THE RAYS OF OUR RISEN SAVIOR, JESUS CHRST!! 

Jesus Christ suffered more than we can even start to comprehend. He went to the cross and died a humiliating punishment only thieves and murderers suffered after being flogged thirty-nine times, after having a crown of thorns not laid on his head but pushed down on his head, and for several hours battled with Satan to overcome death. Yes, it all truly happened. Its not a myth. Its real!! Crowds saw it!!

Why, after telling you to bask in the rays of our risen Savior, do I remind you of what he endured before there was an Easter? Because we must know what he suffered, what he overcame so we can truly appreciate the gift he gave us. What is this gift you ask? Well, let's see what Jesus says it is.

John 10:27.28, "My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."  

What does he mean--eternal life? What is it and when does it start? Well, again, let's see what Scripture says about it. John tells us, "God so loved the world that He gave Hiss one and only Son, so whoever believes in him will have eternal life.....Whoever believes in him is not condemned." Jesus himself tells us, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." "Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life."

As soon as you believe you have eternal life!! That is why, for a little while, those who believe can bask in the rays of our risen Savior. Do you want to join us? Tell him to come into your heart, ask him to forgive your sins, and believe he died for you and rose from the dead. Now you too can bask in the rays of YOUR risen Savior. Doesn't it feel good? Do you feel the warmth of His Light, the comfort of His peace, the joy of a pure heart?