Devot. The Old Rugged Cross

Dear Friends,

I pray that you had a very blessed Resurrection Sunday a few weeks ago, just as my family and I did.  Every Resurrection Sunday holds special meaning to us because of focusing on what Jesus did for us and getting to share that as a family.  It (He!) makes all the difference in the world and you perspective of the day.   After all, it is ALL about HIM!

I have some really good Resurrection Sunday devots. that I want to use, so we are going to continue on this theme for a few weeks.  After all, Resurrection Sunday was early this year:)  The next few will each focus on a verse of the hymn, The Old Rugged Cross. 

 

Last week's focused on verse 2, I think, this one focuses on the chorus.  Pray it is a blessing to your weekend!  Lord bless, keep safe you and yours this coming weekend and also use you to be a reflection of Him to someone who needs Jesus in their life.   

 

Also  I am including a link petitioning again for the release of Pastor Saeed and other Americans who are imprisoned in Iran.  There is a article about the talks w/ Iran and how it affects Pastor Saeed, a letter from his wife and the petition is on the right side of the screen if you scroll down a bit.  He is a brother in Christ, so please stand with him,  sign and pass along!     Petition:   http://aclj.org/

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/old-rugged-cross    (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

Devot. Dark Calvary

Dear Friends,

I pray you had a blessed week and are healthy!  I also hope you had as special and blessed Resurrection Sunday as me and my family did.   It has a special meaning for 2 reasons:  1.  Because of Jesus rising again we have the hope of heaven through faith in Him!  2.  Anytime I get to spend with my family is special:)

This devot. focuses on the 2nd verse of The Old Rugged Cross.   Pray it is a blessing and inspiration.

I also have 2 prayer requests for believers overseas.  1.  My Sunday School teacher shared at our church's Bible study last night that Iranian Christians are planning to celebrate Resurrection this coming Sunday (not sure why they postponed it last week).

The Iranian government has said that if believers celebrate this Sunday, they (the government) will be mopping up the streets w/ their blood.

PLEASE PRAY for the protection of these dear folks this weekend.  Ask the Lord to send angels to protect them (Psalm 34:7 talks about angels encamping around those who fear God) and for their courage at this time.  They truly show the rest of the Christian world what it means to be a Christian and to stand for Christ.   We are called to pray and stand by those who are persecuted and in prison in Heb. 13:3 so please remember them. 

 

 2.  The UN has had to stop sending much needed food and supplies to Syrian refugees due to a lack of funds.  Christian agencies are stepping up to help.  Please pray for the Lord to supply the desperate need in this area (Phil. 4:19).   May the Lord bless and provide for you all this week!  Devot. below.

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/dark-calvary  (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/#)

Devot. On a Hill Far Away

Dear Friends, 

 I hope you had a blessed week!

I  was thinking earlier this week of how several godly preachers in my life have said that "The resurrection is the 'hinge point' of Christianity."
It is the foundation upon which our faith in Jesus rests.  Scripture says that without Christ's resurrection our faith would be 'in vain', without hope, and we would have no hope of our sins being forgiven, our sin debt being paid (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19).  But because we serve a risen, alive Saviour, '"I (we) can face tomorrow"." 

 

Christ's death paid our sin debt, our ticket to Heaven in full, and His resurrection proved that He was God and that what He did on the cross, paid our sin debt IN FULL (It is finished"- John 14:30).  

 Unlike some religions that sadly have a dead leader or 'saviour' who never died for them, we have a LIVING SAVIOUR who sacrificially showed His love for us by His death and resurrection.

 

If you have a chance to go to a 'passion play' (dramatization of Christ's death/resurrection), go go and take all the kids and grandkids.  This is a great way to instill the true meaning of Easter in their young lives early.   From my childhood years to my late teens years we always found a passion play to go to.  It helped all of us to have the  reality check of the True Meaning of this week and be even more thankful for what our Saviour did for us.   What Jesus did for you will become even clearer when you see the crucifixion for yourself. 

 

I will include a link for a live streamed passion play called The Living Cross.  It started this past Sunday.  Folks from all over, even other states, have been to it.  I can tell you from experience that it is good musically, and production wise: http://new.livestream.com/opendoorchurchlive/services  (scroll down just a bit and you will see the last two presentations-3/29, 3/31).

 

Lastly, I will include a song link that ties into the devot.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF6aBDS3drA Lord bless you and your families in a special way this Resurrection Sunday!  He Lives! Devot below

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/hill-far-away (Used by permission. Taken from http://www.icr.org/#)