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Happy
Easter
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Easter is so much more than just a holiday. It is the
celebration of an event that changed the world and is still changing lives
today—the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Why not make this the best Easter season ever? Open your heart to God by praying this prayer, and then allow God to
speak to you through this excerpt from Proverbs31 Ministries.
Dear God, help me recognize Your voice calling to me this Easter.
Empower me to experience Your love, though it is too great to understand fully,
so I can know with confidence when You speak to me personally. Make me complete
with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Do you know Jesus Christ? Many have heard of Jesus and know
a little about Him. Many sing songs about Him at Christmas and Easter. Some
think of Him as a teacher or perhaps the founder of a major world religion.
But, do you know Him personally? Do you know that Jesus died and rose again,
not to start a spiritual movement but because He loves you and wanted to
provide a way for you to know Him?
The Bible tells the story of God’s love for people. In the
beginning, God created us to reflect His image and to have a relationship with
Him (Genesis 1:27). We were created good—and then sin entered the world. We
essentially chose to try life on our own without God, instead of living our
lives for God as we were designed.
God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on
the cross to pay the price for our sins and bring us into a relationship with
Him. Through Him, we can know the promise of eternal life and experience the
joy of knowing God here on earth!
If you would like to have a relationship with God, the Bible
tells us that the first step is acknowledging that we have sinned and that
there is nothing we can do to earn God’s love (Romans 3:23-26). Next, we
believe and confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9) and allow Him to guide our
lives. Where we once wanted to control our own futures, we now invite Jesus into
our hearts to be Lord over our lives.
Knowing God’s peace, perspective, and purpose for our lives
begins with a personal relationship with Jesus. Follow these steps to the new life with Jesus God
desires for you. “I have come that
they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b):
- Recognize the problem of sin and separation: We were created to know, love and glorify God. When we choose to go our own way, living life in willful disobedience to God, we are choosing to be separated from God both now and for all eternity. The Bible says we are sinners (Romans 3:23) and the wages of those sins is death. (Romans 3:23, 6:23) But “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
- Admit we cannot save ourselves: Because God is Holy, He cannot allow sin to enter into Heaven. Most people attempt to save themselves by their own efforts, good works or church attendance. The Bible says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) How then can a sinful person enter Heaven where God allows no sin?
- Believe we are saved by grace: The good news is, in spite of our sin, Christ died for us. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not of works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
- Respond to God’s gift by faith: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
If you believe these truths
and would like Jesus to be Lord of your life, you can pray this prayer:
Lord, I confess that I
have sinned against You and ask You to forgive me. I’m sorry that my sin has
hurt You and other people in my life. I acknowledge that I could never earn
salvation by my good works, but I come to You and trust in what Jesus did for
me on the cross.
I believe that You
love me and that Jesus died and rose again so that I can be forgiven and come
to know You. I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I trust
You with everything, and I thank You for loving me so much that I can know You
here on earth and spend the rest of eternity with You in heaven. In Jesus name,
Amen.
What do I do now?
Just like a new baby needs to be cared for and nurtured in
order to grow physically, a child of God needs to be nurtured in order to grow
spiritually. Here’s how you can begin
growing in Christ:
- Tell someone: Tell a pastor or Christian friend who will help you grow and find your gifts of service. “Jesus appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11, 12
- Join the church: The church is where God’s family encourages and supports one another. ”It is good and pleasant when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
- Pray and read your Bible daily: God communicates His will for your life through His Word and prayer. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
- Seek a godly mentor: A mentor teaches you the ways of God and how to live a holy life. “People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.” Proverbs 27:17
Ready to begin a new life with Jesus? Want to renew a
commitment you made to Him? I encourage you to step out in faith and make this your
best Easter season yet!
Easter blessings to you and yours!
Pam
