Marriage and Family Meditations XLXI (61)
Psalm 104:34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.
Cornerstone Ministries Napa Valley
Christian Relationships
Marriage–Christ and the Church
Why Celebrate Easter?
(Because He rose so that we too can rise from the dead)
Dear Loved Ones, Family and Friends,
It is my hope and prayer that each of you and your families will reflect upon the deep and miraculous significance of the coming Easter celebration, as we recognize the life changing significance of the resurrection of Jesus for all who believe in Him as the only begotten Son of God. I hope you are thinking about what His death and resurrection means to each of us.
The bible teaches us clearly that the over all condition of mankind from birth is that we are separated from God, born into sin, and spiritually dead, removed from the very source of eternal life, which is God our Creator. We are seen by the LORD as separated from Him and walking in darkness, blinded by sin, and with out hope in this world, Condemned for our unrighteous sinful lives.
The evidence is all around us and in us through out the world, revealed in the insanity, cruelty, and moral bankruptcy of our lives. It is reflected in the Clash of racial hatred and the bigotry of nations through social and religious wars, the out of control crime the corruption of society through out the world, broken marriages, abandon families, gang violence, wide spread drug and alcohol abuse, pornography, human slavery, hatred and bigotry, lying and gossip, out of control lust and sexual promiscuousness.
Romans 3:9 – 20
But Jesus is God’s answer to our condition!
Jesus came from God and died and rose from the dead so that we who were dead might also be raised with Him into eternal life.
Ephesians 2:4 – 7 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:6 -11 Christ in Our Place
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
What a joyous celebration it is for all of us who have put our trust and faith in the Son of God, our eternal Lord and Savior. May we all reflect the love and grace of our God as we share the reality of Easter with those around us who may still be walking in the darkness of sin, and death.
May God grant that we will all walk faithfully in the resurrected life that Jesus has given us through His indwelling Spirit.
Maranatha … (The Lord is Coming)
Love and Blessings Vince
Right on, Pastor Vince. Because He died, we can be forgiven and reconciled to God; because He lives, we can have His life!
His life is what enables us to live.
May the Lord use this simple but profound truth to empower His people!
Comment by Bill Holdridge — March 31, 2010 @ 11:19 pm |
The entire chapter 17 of John is so valuable to a believer to review at Easter time in particular as it reveals the heart of Jesus toward “his own”. What IS eternal life, but that we may know the only TRUE God…not in the afterlife, eternal life, but in the here and now. (v. 3) How are we set apart or sanctified, but by the provision of the Truth from the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit…(v. 17)! Indeed it IS the Bread of Life. How will the world, the non-believing world, (and other believers) come to KNOW Christ Jesus, but through the blessed work of the Holy Spirit accomplishing through the Bride (in spite of the Bride) the will of the Father. How did Jesus petition the Father on this? “I do not ask in behalf of these alone(original disciples), but for those also who believe in Me through their word(folks like us);that they may be ONE; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You, that they may also be in Us; that the world may believe that You did send Me.” Unfathomable love, yes, that Christ Jesus died for our sins and provides us Resurrection Life; but think of the unfathomable trust to give us His Word to share and the charge to “be perfected in unity that the world may know that the Father sent Jesus” (v. 23). Holy, Holy, Holy. Hosanna in the Highest. Let heaven and earth be FULL of Your Glory.
Comment by Roseanne — April 1, 2010 @ 3:57 pm |
Blessed Thoughts Rosanne, There is no more intimate look into the heart of Jesus than this precious time between He and the Father. And it does give us a precious look into the life He has given us to live in Him now, and with Him for all of eternity. Love to you and Bruce Vince
Comment by pastorvinceasaro — April 1, 2010 @ 9:48 pm |