Quote from Forum Archives on March 21, 2002, 9:11 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Here us this week's message from Larry. See my closing comments
at the end:

Sowing Seeds of Faith

Thanks to a written suggestion you can now send an email card to
a friend or relative: We have connected with Heartlight Ministry
to offer free cards. Just click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/home.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 September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks 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 on September 11 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!

If you like this devotion you will love the book: ?Breaking the
Peanut Butter Habit: Following God?s Recipe for a Better Life?
now on sale only through this website. Click here for more
information: www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Join our prayer ministry by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me,
and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can
do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a
useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a
pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to me and my words
remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be
granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great
glory to my Father. (John 15:5-8)

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It is my fervent prayer that the hope of Jesus Christ is very
real and personal for each one of you. If, for some reason, any
reason, that is not the case, my prayers are specifically for YOU
today. You see, everything that Jesus Christ did is for our
benefit, yours and mine. He did not die in vein, nor are your
personal struggles, no matter how small or large, unseen or
unnoticed by our Savior. It was for us that He gave His life,
and for no other reason.

When something REALLY matters to you, don't you exert additional
energy, even if that energy comes at a great price? Well, our
salvation was purchased at a great price - the life of the only
One who could do anything about it - the very own Son of God
Himself - God in the flesh! Who else can save us but Christ?

So I appeal to each of you. If you do not know Jesus Christ as
YOUR PERSONAL Lord and Savior, won't you at least think about
what that means? If you already know Christ, won't you remember
Him today and think of others whom He also died for? Will you
bring hope to the hopeless, help to the hurting, and just open
your eyes to those around you? I'd do it for you in a second. I
hope you have a second or two for yourself and for someone else.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

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

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