Isn't there just something beautiful about Spring? Whether a person lives in a warmer environment or they've endured months of blizzards and high winds, there's just something about this time of year that is exciting and life-giving.
Spring is also an exciting time of year as we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Without a doubt, when coupled with his birth, these two events have shaped this world in ways one cannot even imagine as His life impacted so many in that day, as well as down through the ages.
Luke 24:5-6 (NIV) 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
The two angels that were sitting by the empty tomb of Christ asked the women who had come to bring spices to the tomb as a custom and sign of respect, “why do you seek the living among the dead”?
In this world, we often encounter people who might be somewhat similar in that they only view the Bible as a historical document and go to church as if they were going to a memorial service. We must know that Jesus is alive and is not among the dead! He lives and reigns in the hearts of believers, so there's no reason to be sad and somber. He lives!
As we approach the season of celebrating the death and glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I hope this letter finds you well. Our prayers are with you and your family and we would like for you to know that your presence is missed at services.
Luke 24:6-7 (NKJV) 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' ”
Can you imagine what it must have been like for Mary and Martha along with certain other women to hear those words from the Angel at the tomb of Jesus? The range of emotions went from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high as the news of the resurrection of Christ began to register first in their minds, then it moved to their hearts and finally made its way to their feet as they soon would be running to tell the Disciples!
Most of us know that Easter and Christmas are two times during the calendar year of the church that people are most likely to attend church, yet did you know there are far more people who would attend if they had a simple invitation?
Thom Rainer, a Christian blogger and researcher recently polled over 300 non-churched people, and found that ninety-six percent of them are at least are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited!
