The plan for man’s salvation was established from the very beginning. Foretold through the prophets, fulfilled by Jesus during the events of Passion Week, and continually echoed today through the apostle’s writings. Let us never forget that Jesus was the plan from the beginning.

After Jesus cleansed the temple of the merchants and money changers who had defiled it, the Jewish leaders challenged Him asking by what authority He performed the works He had done and taught the things He had taught. By this, they hoped to catch Him in what they and the people would deem as blasphemy. But Jesus turned the tables on them asking whether they believed John the Baptist had been a true prophet. When they refused to answer Him, He refused to answer them.

A committed servant of Jesus must be available, humble, obedient, faithful, and enduring. The truth is, no matter our capacity, or our talents, or our giftedness, when it comes to the service opportunities appointed to us through Jesus, complete faithfulness is required.

Worship doesn’t have to be complex, loud, and showy, for it to be authentic. The things which motivate us lead us to true worship. When that worship is motivated by the love we have for God, the results are expressions of pure joy.

God’s Word tells us that peacemakers are blessed. He also promises that He will give His peace that surpasses human understanding to those who live our lives for Christ. But we must always remember that His peace, and our abilities and opportunities to share that peace are gifts from God – not anything we should take our own pride in. Instead, we should rejoice that He has called us, and that He has rescued us out of death to write our names in His book of life.

Living the Christian life often requires us to obey the calling of the LORD, even under difficult circumstances. Although we might believe we are not qualified or able to serve God’s Kingdom in the ways He has led us, we rest assured that God knows what He is doing, and it is He who empowers us by His Spirit to accomplish the works He has ordained for us since before the beginning of creation. Often when we obey God in faith, He will bless us. Sometimes though He does not. But His leading for us is always for our own eternal wellbeing and the benefit of those whom God has called us to serve.

None of us are perfect and all of us need God’s power to help us make it in this world. The holy ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two of the greatest gifts given to us directly from Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Baptism allows the believer the opportunity to announce to the world that they have given their heart and control of their life to Jesus. It symbolizes death to self, burial into Jesus Christ, and resurrection into a new life. Participation in the Lord’s Supper helps us proclaim the death of Christ as necessary for our salvation and proclaim our anticipation for His eventual return. Participation in the Lord’s Supper requires us to be in right relationship with Jesus and unifies the bride of Christ, His Church, together around the supper table of the Lord.

Jesus did not give us lip service. He gave us His life. On Calvary’s cross He laid it all down. He left the glory of heaven for the work of the cross. He surrendered to the agony of the cross, all for love, so that you and I could one day inherit eternal life. If He held nothing back for you, why would you hold back anything from Him? What does your stewardship say about the authenticity of your faith? What does it say about where your trust really is? What does it say about your heart?

When’s the last time, or perhaps the first time, you experienced the Greatness of God or the powerful presence of His Spirit? When’s the last time you expected God to hear your prayer, answer your prayer, and then move in your life because of your prayer? God desires to hear from us. He wants His children to speak with Him. Ask Him things. Share their struggles. Share their joy. Jesus teaches us that God moves into action because of our prayers. Will you be bold and audacious enough to speak with your Heavenly Father?

Easter is not about peeps, colored eggs, or some cute little over dressed bunny. Instead, Easter is all about the risen Savior. The resurrection of Jesus brings us hope, forgiveness, redemption, and an eternal guarantee. If you belong to Jesus, you don’t have to fear anything! What’s the worst thing that could happen to you? You could die, and then you get to go to heaven! Jesus brings us life, eternal life, life to the fullest, life that begins the moment we believe and continues into all eternity. Do you have that assurance? Do you know that you know you belong to God?