Living Like We Believe

April 2019

Message from Pastor Tom, 

This month we are celebrating Christ's resurrection, the defining event of our Christian faith, the Gospel message, and the defining moment in our history. It demonstrates Jesus' power over death confirms His divinity and provides a powerful example of the Lord's ability to keep His word. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” John 14:1-3 NKJV.

Yet the resurrection Jesus experienced is much more than just a one-time event that happened in history. Part of this Good News is the very same resurrection power bringing Jesus from death to life can be experienced in our own life every day if we choose to tap into it. Our hope of the resurrection isn’t just for the future when we physically die and go to heaven; it’s also for now while we’re still here living and struggling with sin. Each of us needs to make use of the God-given power to help us overcome sin each day we’re alive. As we regularly confess our sins and repent of them, we can embrace the forgiveness and grace God offers us to keep growing and maturing in our relationship with Him. We can then place our hope in this dynamic relationship with Jesus, start living for Him and relying on His resurrection power to work in our life. This is when we begin experiencing the fulfillment of all the good purposes God has chosen for us, focusing on what God can do through each one of us.

So this April, let’s concentrate on celebrating Easter in remembrance of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, looking upon the blood Christ shed for us as the forgiveness, removing our sins so we can grow in our spiritual walk, becoming like Him, just as 1 John 2:6 stated, "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." As Christians we are not of this world, and yet we let the ways of the world enter into our thinking. This is when the evil one can get a foothold, giving us doubt, making things confusing and difficult. Let's not forget, when we focus on Jesus, remembering to keep Christ at the center of our lives and as the foundation of our belief system, we can endure. God’s love and grace gave us His Son to be sacrificed in atonement for our sins, and the Holy Spirit to be our Constant Companion and Helper. Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves, as He suffered and died on the cross in order to save us from the darkness and torments of hell that are depicted in Revelation. So you see, nothing is ever wasted in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We need only to walk the path God has set for us with our eyes keenly upon the cross, living as obedient children of God, making a favorable impression on the unbelieving world by our holy conduct and loving nature.

Yes we live in a broken world, but we can live as if we believe Jesus is Risen and draw upon the resurrection power available to us. We have our heavenly Father who is faithful to keep every one of His promises and know when we trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, God will save us from our sin and welcome us into His family without regard to merit or worth on our part. Eternal life is a promise, and He offers this gift freely to all who believe in His Son. Will you receive it today, or are you secure in your own salvation? For our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, please Lord, come quickly. "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you" Romans 8:11.

Happy Easter to you and your family as we celebrate our Father’s greatest sacrifice through His Son, Jesus Christ. Heidi and I pray this Easter you receive God's Love, Grace, and His never-ending peace. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and as always, I hope it spiritually enriches you. Have a most blessed Easter.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9.