Word for Today, Tue, 21 Mar 2005: Easter Story to Easter Faith

#1 · March 21, 2005, 8:28 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on March 21, 2005, 8:28 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Word for Today, Tue, 21 Mar 2005: Easter Story to Easter Faith

Dear friends,

I have not had many opportunities to write to you and I continue
to be pressed for time. I would appreciate your prayers for my
family, as we continue to struggle to make ends meet and set the
right priorities in the choices we make in the sight of our Lord.

Larry Davies, my friend and fellow prayer partner writes a weekly
devotional message entitled "Sowing Seeds of Faith" that I
usually share with you, and I would like to share this week's
Easter message from Larry.

Yours in Christ,
Brian

____________________________

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

Sowing Seeds of Faith... devotions and world-wide prayer
ministry would not be here without your support but as we expand
we also find a critical need for more help. Consider supporting
our ministry by buying a book or two or offer a contribution
directly to the ministry. If you would like to support our
ministry there are at least four ways you can do so right now:

1. Include Sowing Seeds Ministry in your regular prayers.

2. Sign up for our prayer ministry:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

3. Consider buying our latest book:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

4. Become a ministry partner through either a one-time
contribution or monthly:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

"Easter Story to Easter Faith" Larry Davies

+ On the Monday following Easter, a business owner must lay-off
an employee who has been with his company since the beginning.
How will Christ's resurrection guide him?

+ On the Monday following Easter, a minister and spouse will
move to a remote country church more than two hours further away
from elderly relatives dependent upon their care. How will
Jesus' resurrection help them continue in God's ministry while
dealing with disappointment?

+ On the Monday following Easter, the families of those who
died in the Tsunami devastation must find a way to go on living
despite the unimaginable grief they must bear. How will Christ's
resurrection enable them to endure?

+ On the Monday following Easter, you too must wrestle with the
unique challenges our changing world offers. How will Jesus
Christ's resurrection help you face life's obstacles?

If Easter signifies more than bunnies, brightly colored eggs and
new clothes... hard questions must be answered. Palm Sunday, the
last supper, Jesus praying in the garden, his arrest, the
appalling crucifixion and the resurrection has to be more than
just an annual story-time hour... doesn't it? This years Oscar
winning movie may be compelling drama but would you see it every
year? I think not. So how does Easter help us find real answers
for Monday morning problems?

Maybe it would help to remember the followers of Jesus as they
removed his lifeless body from the cross and laid it in a
borrowed tomb? For three years their lives had meaning and
purpose. Once, they were preparing for a "New Kingdom" and
Christ would be their Messiah. Now, they were holed up like
frightened rabbits awaiting the strike of hungry predators.
Confused, grief-stricken and deeply troubled the disciples faced
a Monday morning filled only with despair.

But Easter morning would bring about a dramatic
transformation...

"Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. Suddenly
there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came
down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. His
face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as
snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they
fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women.
"'Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus,
who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the
dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was
lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been
raised from the dead...'" (Matthew
28:1-7)

Jesus was alive! The disciples could restore their broken dreams
and continue preparations for a "New Kingdom." Christ was their
Messiah after all. No longer would they be frightened rabbits.
The now bold followers of Jesus would launch a movement that
would change the world. "Hear the Good News! Jesus Christ has
defeated death and offers eternal life to all who believe."

+ For the business owner, the critical decisions must still be
made but the living Christ gives him the compassion and wisdom
to provide real help for his employee and friend.

+ The minister must move, but church members begin visiting his
parents offering help and support. Jesus Christ is alive and
actively involving the faith community.

+ The families of those who died in the Tsunami tragedy can
find comfort knowing their loved ones are safely in the hands of
God. A living Christ offers assurance during times of crisis.

+ You can now wake up on Monday morning in the secure knowledge
that you will never again face life's obstacles alone! A risen
Jesus will give you much needed hope for the future.

Because Jesus is alive, Easter is never simply a story. Easter
is a testimony of faith offering continual guidance and courage
to deal with Monday morning decisions we all face. Most of all,
Easter is the promise of living hope that will enable us to cope
with disappointment and tragedy. Share this column with someone
and ask him/her to join you in celebrating the resurrection of
Christ on Sunday morning. Remember that Jesus Christ is alive!
Bet your eternal life on it!

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join
our prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it
shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a
Better Life" now on sale only through our website.
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Sports - Sign up for Fantasy Baseball.
baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I have not had many opportunities to write to you and I continue
to be pressed for time. I would appreciate your prayers for my
family, as we continue to struggle to make ends meet and set the
right priorities in the choices we make in the sight of our Lord.

Larry Davies, my friend and fellow prayer partner writes a weekly
devotional message entitled "Sowing Seeds of Faith" that I
usually share with you, and I would like to share this week's
Easter message from Larry.

Yours in Christ,
Brian

____________________________

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

Sowing Seeds of Faith... devotions and world-wide prayer
ministry would not be here without your support but as we expand
we also find a critical need for more help. Consider supporting
our ministry by buying a book or two or offer a contribution
directly to the ministry. If you would like to support our
ministry there are at least four ways you can do so right now:

1. Include Sowing Seeds Ministry in your regular prayers.

2. Sign up for our prayer ministry:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

3. Consider buying our latest book:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

4. Become a ministry partner through either a one-time
contribution or monthly:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

"Easter Story to Easter Faith" Larry Davies

+ On the Monday following Easter, a business owner must lay-off
an employee who has been with his company since the beginning.
How will Christ's resurrection guide him?

+ On the Monday following Easter, a minister and spouse will
move to a remote country church more than two hours further away
from elderly relatives dependent upon their care. How will
Jesus' resurrection help them continue in God's ministry while
dealing with disappointment?

+ On the Monday following Easter, the families of those who
died in the Tsunami devastation must find a way to go on living
despite the unimaginable grief they must bear. How will Christ's
resurrection enable them to endure?

+ On the Monday following Easter, you too must wrestle with the
unique challenges our changing world offers. How will Jesus
Christ's resurrection help you face life's obstacles?

If Easter signifies more than bunnies, brightly colored eggs and
new clothes... hard questions must be answered. Palm Sunday, the
last supper, Jesus praying in the garden, his arrest, the
appalling crucifixion and the resurrection has to be more than
just an annual story-time hour... doesn't it? This years Oscar
winning movie may be compelling drama but would you see it every
year? I think not. So how does Easter help us find real answers
for Monday morning problems?

Maybe it would help to remember the followers of Jesus as they
removed his lifeless body from the cross and laid it in a
borrowed tomb? For three years their lives had meaning and
purpose. Once, they were preparing for a "New Kingdom" and
Christ would be their Messiah. Now, they were holed up like
frightened rabbits awaiting the strike of hungry predators.
Confused, grief-stricken and deeply troubled the disciples faced
a Monday morning filled only with despair.

But Easter morning would bring about a dramatic
transformation...

"Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. Suddenly
there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came
down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. His
face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as
snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they
fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women.
"'Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus,
who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the
dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was
lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been
raised from the dead...'" (Matthew
28:1-7)

Jesus was alive! The disciples could restore their broken dreams
and continue preparations for a "New Kingdom." Christ was their
Messiah after all. No longer would they be frightened rabbits.
The now bold followers of Jesus would launch a movement that
would change the world. "Hear the Good News! Jesus Christ has
defeated death and offers eternal life to all who believe."

+ For the business owner, the critical decisions must still be
made but the living Christ gives him the compassion and wisdom
to provide real help for his employee and friend.

+ The minister must move, but church members begin visiting his
parents offering help and support. Jesus Christ is alive and
actively involving the faith community.

+ The families of those who died in the Tsunami tragedy can
find comfort knowing their loved ones are safely in the hands of
God. A living Christ offers assurance during times of crisis.

+ You can now wake up on Monday morning in the secure knowledge
that you will never again face life's obstacles alone! A risen
Jesus will give you much needed hope for the future.

Because Jesus is alive, Easter is never simply a story. Easter
is a testimony of faith offering continual guidance and courage
to deal with Monday morning decisions we all face. Most of all,
Easter is the promise of living hope that will enable us to cope
with disappointment and tragedy. Share this column with someone
and ask him/her to join you in celebrating the resurrection of
Christ on Sunday morning. Remember that Jesus Christ is alive!
Bet your eternal life on it!

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join
our prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it
shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a
Better Life" now on sale only through our website.
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Sports - Sign up for Fantasy Baseball.
baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/