Bankruptcies, government failures, perfect storms of magnanimous proportions
have occurred throughout history—and the consistent truth is that the
answers for man’s problems are not sourced in man himself but are found in
the One who truly is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—Jesus. Lives are
changed one heart at a time. Destinies are changed one choice at a time.
Nations are changed one person at a time. Throughout the last year’s
political season the clarion cry was “Change.” But if there was ever a time
for a true change-the eternal kind—it’s NOW.
Do we really think we can abandon the Bible,
the Word of God, and His ways and prosper as a people and a country? Do we
really think we can kick God away from our schools, refuse to allow His Word
to be recognized, walk in our own ways—and still have His hands of blessing?
For over 230 years God has blessed America. His hands of protection have
remained upon us. But now, we are the world’s leading debtor nation; our
borders are porous to those who come to our country with illicit purposes;
we are overrun by terrible problems and we seem helpless to stop it much
less turn our country around to a sure footing.
It’s time to look up, “for our redemption
draweth nigh…” (Luke 21:28). Jesus came for a people in turmoil, in bondage,
in debt, overrun by cruel taskmasters in the Roman government. Jesus came
for a people who had no clear answers—even from their religion. But when
Jesus came, the people began to hear from God in ways they had not for over
400 years. Jesus healed, delivered, gave hope, helped and fed multitudes,
walked on water—and brought the presence of God into a darkened world. On a
dark night, God shone His light all around as angels declared the Good News
that Jesus, the Son of the Living God, was born.
We have the Good News of His Message; we have the opportunity to demonstrate
how to put our trust in our Lord God who loves us rather than the hands of
man’s provision. We have the opportunity to trust in Jesus, “to toil not,
neither to spin” (Matthew 6:28)—because we are not filled with worry but
with trusting praise in Jesus Himself as our Protector, Provider, Forgiver,
Deliverer…and yes, our Hope. Jesus was rejected, beaten, killed after
traumatic torture, and placed in a borrowed tomb. Jesus took our torment,
the punishment our sins deserved…and then God declared IT IS FINISHED. Three
days later Jesus rose again from the dead—forever destroying the curse of
sin and death.
The message of HOPE—is in Jesus. “Jesus loves
you, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” These are not only words in a
children’s song but words that ring true for the generations today. In the
midst of a terrible storm of hopelessness and despair we can find trust,
faith, and hope in the face of Jesus Christ.
Today, if you have not yet done so, turn your
life over to Jesus. He will give you wisdom to walk this journey; He will
give you help in your turmoil, forgiveness in despair and break the shame
and condemnation that often accompany sin. Jesus can forgive and totally
deliver. Receive Him today.
Ask Jesus to come into your heart to be your
personal Lord and Savior. I urge you to pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I recognize You are the Savior. Come into my heart, be my
personal Lord and Savior, take over my life—I surrender to You. I repent of
my sins—of everything I’ve done against You, and those things which don’t
please You. Wash me clean by the blood You shed for me at Calvary. And
right now, by faith, I receive You and Your forgiveness. I love you
Lord—thank You for saving me. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
And, if you’re not already committed elsewhere
on Sunday mornings, I invite you to come worship Jesus with us at Grace
Christian Center. We gather at 10 am in the Port Ludlow Conference Center at
200 Olympic Place in Port Ludlow. We truly pray you celebrate a fantastic
Easter with new hope in Jesus Himself—an Easter Hope!
