Every Sunday when I was young boy, my mom and Dad always took my sister and me to church. It was a very small church in my little town of only 5,000. Most Sundays about 75 people attended, at least, thats what the old sign on the wall of the little church said. I was very proud of my 'sharp shooter' lapel pin that I received every year for perfect attendance.
Although we were very poor, we always wore the best clothes we had -- especially on Easter Sunday. I remember one Easter my dad and I dressed alike in our blue and white seersucker suits, with matching white buck shoes. We probably looked like The Coasters or members of one of those 50s rock 'n' roll groups!
At that time, I sure didn't realize what an impact going to church would have on my life. Even though I attended church for the first 40 years of my life, I kept Jesus in the "back seat". It wasn't until my mid 40s after making many bad choices, that I rededicated my life to Christ. That was over 40 years ago and He changed my life and has taken me places I could have never imagined.
When you accept Christ as your Savior, God forgives ALL of your past sins and wipes your slate clean so you can start over again. That's right! You get a totally fresh start! And then it's your turn to live for Him, tell others about Jesus and reflect His love.
But I have learned that just because you are a follower of Jesus, doesn't make your life perfect. You still have problems, trials and tribulations, and people will still cut you off in traffic. You will make mistakes, mess up and have troubles. But that's when God gives you His Grace. Like it says in the Bible, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This Easter I urge you and your family to attend a Bible believing Church and hear the GOOD NEWS that God so loved the world -- that's you and me -- that He sacrificed His only begotten Son on that cross.
And the best news came three days after His crucifixion --
HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD!
You ask me how I know He lives?
HE LIVES IN MY HEART!
Charlie