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Sunday, April 19, 2015

After Jesus?

Some years ago, CNN ran a program around Easter titled "After Jesus." I don't remember the content of the
program, but I did not like the title then and I do not like it now. It sounds like Jesus is dead or obsolete or a thing of the past. Nothing can be further from the truth. According to Newsmax, there has been a rise in practicing Christians in America as opposed to those who simply profess to be Christians but never darken the doorway of a church. People are getting saved, witnessing for Christ and finding new hope in Christ.

Other reports state that Christianity is on the rise in South America, Africa, Asia and South Korea. Many Muslims are also risking their lives by converting to Christianity. One only has to look at the number of Christians being martyred in Iraq and Africa as testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ. In addition, Christian bookstores, radio and television stations and major films continue to draw record numbers of people.

Whenever I visit some forums on the internet, I am always amazed at the number of questions that atheists are asking about God and Christianity. Many of these questions are very sarcastic, but why take the time to inquire about someone you don't believe in, or someone you say is dead. I attended a viewing this weekend and you can be sure I won't be inquiring about that person any longer. 

Some may look at the number of negative events happening in the world and say, where is God?  However, the Bible tells us that in the last days, "perilous times will come." 2 Timothy 3: 1. Luke 21: 28 says, And when these things begin to come to pass , then look up , and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." 

Jesus is very present in the world today, and always will be. When you write the date on a check or post something to your calendar, you are acknowledging that we live in 2015 AD, the year of Our Lord. He says,
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Revelation 22: 13). His name is "Emmanuel, which which being interpreted is , God with us," (Matthew 1: 23). 

Let us as Christians show the world that the light of Jesus still shines in us and through us, not only at Easter, but all year through. Enjoy the video below and please leave a comment in the box below or share this post on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media site you frequent. God bless.  

Thursday, April 09, 2015

Rejoice?

News of another fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a police officer has left Americans stunned and another family grieving for their loved one. As I thought about this latest incident, a word flashed across my mind: REJOICE. But as quickly as it came, I tried to push it away. What was there to rejoice about? A father, brother, husband, friend lost his life in a senseless way. The Scott family will never be the same again.

Yet, the apostle Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" So I questioned the Lord, "How can we rejoice when such a tragedy takes place? There can be no cause for rejoicing when the breadwinner of a family has been cut off. But the Holy Spirit gently reminded me, "Two thousand years ago an innocent Man was crucified."

Yes, Jesus was innocent. He was unarmed. He didn't even open his mouth to try to defend Himself. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And after He died, His disciples saw no cause for rejoicing. They went back to the life they had before they met Him. They obviously thought, that was the end of the story. But on Easter Sunday, He rose from the grave, and the world has never been the same since. Now we rejoice because Jesus is risen and we who have accepted Him will one day be with Him.

So what does this have to do with the Scott family? We certainly do not rejoice over their loss. We mourn with them and the Browns and all the other families who lost loved ones. But we can take comfort in knowing that just as God used Jesus' death for good, in the same way He will use the deaths of Walter Scott and the others for good. And in that we can rejoice. 

If you enjoyed reading this blog, will you share it on your Facebook page and any other social media sites that you frequent. Thank you and God bless.