Defeating Death

 

April 2021

Message from Pastor Tom:

I found myself sitting here only a week before Easter, when my thoughts leapt to remembering Easter from long ago, praising Jesus and looking forward to the day when I get to see Jesus face to face. How blessed we are through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated death for the last time. This made a way for all who believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior, to live in paradise right alongside Him. Hallelujah! He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!

I feel blessed every day I travel to work when I pass this old grain silo beside the freeway with a giant lit up cross on its side. You used to be able to see the cross a mile away, but with all the growth these passing years and the trees getting much taller, it has become visible only when you get real close to it now. I always hope no large trucks are beside me to obscure my view, but even when it does happen, I take comfort in knowing it’s there. You see, I try to leave all my troubles at the base of the cross every day, and this cross helps to remind me to do just that. We all need to have our hearts become more like Jesus so we can find the peace and understanding He so wants us to have. 

Jesus spent years loving, teaching and equipping His disciples and when the time was right, He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). As Christians, we are taught our life begins anew when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We must let go of ourselves in order to become more like Christ, living a life that brings glory to God. Our mission as Christians is to fulfill God’s plan of bringing the Truth to all the people of the world no matter where they might be.

The disciples of Jesus’ time learned about what was happening, as well as the deeper meaning and the consequences of those events, as they shared their doubts, questions, and concerns with Him. We need only do the same to fulfill God’s mission joyfully, by opening ourselves up and enabling God to work through us as we share this Good News where there is the greatest need without fear of persecution or crossing cultural and racial barriers. The Holy Spirit will be our guide and constant companion and lead us wherever we need to go. 

As a Christian, it is my heart and my soul’s eternal life at stake. I need to trust God and obey everything He has commands me to do. I believe it is imperative to develop my mind as well as my thoughts to grow intellectually in Christ, thus surrendering and devoting my mind to Him. This enables me to become one of the Lords apostles, a servant of God, going out into the world and making disciples.

Heidi and I pray this devotion touches your heart in some fashion during this Easter season. That you too will find your own “cross” to remind you to place all the problems you bare at the foot of the cross, giving them over to Jesus who is better equipped to take care of them for us. We also ask you continue to join us in praying for peace for our country, our leaders and those who are persecuted racially and spiritually worldwide. 

Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you always. Have a very blessed Easter.

Blessings from a pastor and his wife.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3