Easter is over...what do we do now?

Now that another Easter has passed, what do we do?  We have celebrated during this exciting season which culminated on Resurrection Sunday.  Some of us have observed the Lenten season and have made personal sacrifices.  These sacrifices were made in hopes of ridding ourselves of the distractions that keep us from focusing on Christ.  We can now eat those sweets and we can now watch television.  Before we resume our daily routines especially those prior to this Lenten season, we must take a moment for reflection.

Were we able to have a closer walk with Christ? Will we go back to our previous routines full blast? And lastly, how will we change from this day forward?

Resurrection Sunday was a beautiful day for many.  This day was time for praise to our Holy Father.  We praised Him for the sacrifice He made for us on the cross.  We praised Him for giving us everlasting life.  During this season, many of us experienced God’s mercy and grace as we walked closer with Him.  Hopefully, we were able to walk closer with Him as we made our sacrifices during Lent.  Hopefully we were able to read more of His word and understand Him better.  What good is sacrificing just for the sake of sacrificing?  If we did not approach these sacrifices with a specific purpose, a purpose of growing in our Christian journey, then we may have just wasted our time.

Now that the Lenten season is over, will we go back to our same habits? Some gave up television during the season and SURVIVED!  What does this tell us?  Should we continue to make these sacrifices?  Was that thing really hindering our walk with Christ?  If you feel closer to Christ as a result of your Lenten sacrifice, then will you consider removing or limiting that aspect of your life?  Consider replacing a half hour of television with a daily devotional or with prayer.  If giving up sweets have made you feel healthier or may have allowed you to lose weight, then maybe consider cutting back.  Remember, you survived this period and can incorporate these sacrifices in your daily living.  In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20  Paul says: 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.  God wants us to take care of ourselves and we honor Him when we do so.

From this day on, we should Honor our Lord and savior for His great sacrifice to us.  We should honor Him with our daily living.  We should honor Him with our continued commitment to Him and with our praise.  Jesus appeared to his disciples prior to ascending into heaven in Luke 24:50-53, 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

So as we continue on after Easter, let us continue to focus on Christ.  Focus on Him so that we can lead a life that is pleasing in His sight.

HE LIVES!!

Matthew 28:1-10, 16-29 (NRSV)

 

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."


Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

I serve a risen Savior, he's in the world today;
I know that he is living whatever men may say;
I see his hand of mercy; I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him, he's always near.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask my how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.

The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”
(Luke 23:34)


 “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)


“Dear woman, here is your son.”
(John 19:26)




“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
(Mark 15:34)
 
“I am thirsty.”
(John 19:28)

“It is finished!”
(John 19:30)

“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”
(Luke 23:46)

Join us today as we reflect on these seven last words.  Church Service Begins at 12noon.

There will be a fish fry following the service.