Tag: Jesus alive
Jesus is alive!
Dear family and friends,
On this Easter Sunday, April 12th, 2020, Mary and I would like to tell you how much we appreciate each one of you. Each person has had an impact on our lives. You are each unique and wonderfully made. God has used each of you to shape us and help us along life’s journey. No one is insignificant. Thank you for being who God made you to be and for loving us and our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is my life mission to love God and worship Him and to love those made in His image. (Matthew 22:37-40) My love for God involves obedience to His Word and following the Holy Spirit each day to do the works He has laid out for me.(Ephesians 2:10, John 15:9-10) My desire follows Jesus’ mission and desire–to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10, Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus Christ is God’s Son, sent to earth in a human body to show us the love of our Father God in Heaven. Jesus came to save sinful mankind from the penalty of sin, which is death.(Hebrews 9:26-28) The first death is the death of our body but the second death follows the Judgment at the Great White Throne for those who rejected Christ’s atonement. (Revelation 20:14-15) Eternal life with God is far better than the second death–the Lake of fire! (Seems obvious!)
Because sin leads to death, Jesus was crucified and died on a cross as a substitute for all who will repent–admit their sins–and ask God for mercy and pardon through Jesus. Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb, sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers. Scripture says He descended into Hell and announced His victory, taking the keys of death and hell from Satan. (1st Peter 3:18-20, Revelation 1:18) Jesus is now alive(Matthew 28:5-7) and reigns at God’s right hand, there making intercession for those who come to Him in faith. He is able to save us to the uttermost,(Hebrews 7:25) because He is alive. We are granted access through the torn veil, His own body! (Hebrews 10:19-22)
If you have not repented of your sins, today is the day to go to Jesus by faith! He will not cast you out but will give you pardon and the gift of eternal life. Receive Him today and join the family of God in thanksgiving and worship! In His Love, John and Mary Morse
Religious disputes!
Scripture reading for June 9th: Acts 25
Politics and religion are ways of the world that men use to gain control over others. It was no different in Paul’s day. After he had spent two years in jail as a result of a politician, the Roman governor Felix, a new leader took his place. Felix kept Paul, looking for a bribe. Now as the new governor, Festus, visited Jerusalem he was confronted by the Jews concerning the prisoner Paul. They felt he should die because of their original charges and Festus offered them opportunity to again make their case.
Festus convened the hearing in Caesarea. “When Paul appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove.” Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” (Acts 25:7-9) Paul stated that he was willing to die if he had done anything worthy of death, but as a Roman citizen, he appealed to Caesar. Festus declared that that was where he would be sent!
Festus was visited by King Agrippa and his wife. Festus shared Paul’s case with the king and discussed the lack of clear charges with him. “When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.” (Acts 25:18-19) In the midst of political and religious disputes, God was at work through Paul sharing the good news with all!
Jesus is alive!
Scripture reading for March 3rd: Mark 16
When the women came to the tomb on the first day of the week, they expected to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. They found the tomb open and saw a young man dressed in white robes sitting where the body had been laid. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go and tell the disciples and Peter. “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.'” (Mark 16:6-7) The women did as they were told, but the disciples did not believe them. Jesus appeared to two others as well, but the rest again refused to believe.
It may seem surprising that those who had been with Jesus had a hard time with the resurrection. Jesus had plainly told His disciples what would happen. (Mark 10:33-34) But they had also witnessed the crucifixion and were humans of Adam’s line themselves. Jesus met them where they were, and rebuked them for their unbelief as He had done on other occasions. He then sent them out to share the good news with the whole world!
The resurrection of Jesus Christ marked a turning point in the history of mankind. In Adam, all men and women were born in sin and had the curse of death. There was nothing that they could do to save themselves. But God sent His Son, born of a woman, to come and live among men. He demonstrated the love and mercy of God by forgiving sins and healing sickness and disease. But the greatest miracle, was His defeat of the curse of sin and the resulting penalty of death on the cross and resurrection from the dead!