Jesus and the Easter Bunny: How We Include the Gospel of Christ

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christianity, Easter, modernchristianity, religion, resurrection sunday

Courtesy of Ernesto E. Carrasco

Every year on the first Sunday following the full moon or the Paschal (Passover) Moon, Christians around the world celebrate Easter. The way people choose to remember the resurrection of Christ varies. That variation has many factors including culture, denomination, location, etc. In Italy, people light a cart filled with fireworks. Australians have the royal Easter show which is much like a farmer’s market where people display their crops and livestock. In Poland, Christians exchange blessings baskets filled with bread, meats and eggs. In Italy, people make effigies of Judas to burn. Christians in India exchange colorful lanterns and throw street festivals.

As I am a resident in America, I know that we also have some pretty interesting ways to commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. We dress our children in pastels, buy them baskets of candy and toys. Some of us go all out and give live bunnies for the occasion. Some churches have special services. Families have special dinners. Again, the way the holy day is remembered, varies. But a trip to Wal-Mart a few days ago made me re-visit my questions about how we celebrate “Easter”. I didn’t dare go down any of the aisles of pastels and candy the store strategically positioned in the front. And I didn’t need to. The writing was literally on the wall.

Over the years, we Christians have incorporated so many practices in the celebration of the Resurrection that a lot of us have forgotten where these practices originated. The word Easter was actually mentioned in the Bible only once in Acts 12:4 in reference to the time of year James was killed by Herod. It was during the time of Easter or Ishtar, which was a celebration of Eostre goddess of spring or fertility.

See Jesus anywhere?

I’m not judging. I did it for years. My parents subjected my siblings and me to “Easter” traditions and rituals. I passed it on for a brief time to my children. The world has incorporated these pagan traditions and rituals into the holiest of holidays.

The truth is bunnies and eggs have nothing to do with the resurrection of Christ and in my opinion should have no part of any commemoration of His death, burial and resurrection.

It was hard for me to explain to children how eggs and candy and Peter Cottontail had anything to do with Jesus. So, I stopped associating these things with the Resurrection of Christ. Like so many others, I started calling this celebration by its name: Resurrection Day.

Now my brothers and sisters, I make no judgement against you for doing these things. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Colossians 2:16

If we can reach more people with the gospel by being more inclusive, I am in full agreement. I do not judge those who choose to hand out Easter baskets, decorate eggs or buy bunnies for the occasion. I choose not to do so. If anything, I would advocate for baptisms on this holy weekend instead.

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 6: 3-5

My only prayer is that we all know and believe the gospel of Christ and that this Resurrection Day is a celebration of the great sacrifice that Jesus Christ made so that we will not have to face the second death on the day of judgement.

This and every holiday or observance that may come, let’s remember that while it is good and albeit at times necessary to incorporate other’s comforts for the sake of sharing the gospel, we must also be careful not to conform to this world but share the gospel of Christ to every person in every culture in all of the world.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:5-7

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Who Are These Christians?

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#standupchristians, christianity, fakechristians, realchristianity

Does it sometimes feel as though you are on repeat when you speak? You say things in the simplest way and yet so many want to make it hard. So, you say it again. They want to twist your words. You say it again. They want to tell you what you mean. You say it again.

And you think, can anyone hear me?

Paul says in 1 Corinthians that we are to speak the same thing. We are not to be divided in any way. Christians have a bad reputation for being hypocrites mainly because we all give different gospels. We do not speak or give the same message. We are not one body. I would argue that we are not even in the same family.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10

In this world of everything, it’s hard for the small to be heard. Real Christians are definitely the least of these now. And in this big world where it is practically criminal to say anything anyone disagrees with, it is hard to get the message across without someone adding their evil spin to it…even on repeat. But let’s not confuse the meaning of Christian.

So, what is a Christian. Who are we? What do we believe?

I tell you the truth my beloved brothers and sisters. Christians believe that Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection paid for all of their sins. We are the true members of the spiritual body of Christ. We believe that nothing we do, no activity, no ritual, no way of living can earn a place in Heaven with the Lord. Only belief in the ultimate, the final sacrifice can do this.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1 Peter 3:18

He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.

Romans 4:25

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:19

Why would one want to complicate something as simple as salvation?

Once you are a believer of the truth of your salvation, you are a Christian. What you do with this information once you receive is between you and God. How you live your life once you have received this information is between you and God. Dear friend, do not allow anyone to tell you about your sin. No one on this earth can judge you. Your sins and theirs are paid in full, just believe that. And beloved, trust me, receipt of the sweet gift of salvation from Jesus Christ will open your eyes to things more beautiful than any sin. You will desire to share this gospel with others. But, I beseech you, please do not distort the gospel of the grace of God. It is and always has been simple. We are saved by our faith through the grace of God by the blood of the savior Jesus the Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There are many reasons people want to add to this good news and place stipulations and clauses on the gospel. It does not matter. The motive is the same. The mastermind behind all of the confusion is the same. Lucifer, the fallen angel, destined for an eternal hell wants to build his army to fight the Lord in the end of days. And he will take the desires of your heart and build this army with your blood, if you are not careful.

Keep it simple. The already shed blood of Jesus Christ paid for your sins. You are destined for heaven if you believe this. And we want to build God’s army in Heaven where we will all live forever.

May the grace of God bless and keep you all.

Grace and peace,

Blessings and love,

 

 

How Christians Should Change the World

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Christianlove, gracegospel, healtheworld

I’m not a big Beyonce fan but on my drive home a few days ago, her song I Was Here, came on in my car. It is a beautiful song about your influence on the world. At least, that’s what I got from it. I started to think about who I influence, or motivate, if anyone. Have I helped to change anyone’s life? Have I made things a little better just because ‘I was here’?

As Christians we have these wandering thoughts, don’t we? Well, I do. I often ask myself if I can do more for the body of Christ. My answer is always yes but my intentions are often smothered by “life”. While we do life here on earth, go to work, pay the bills, have families and careers, our priority should be people, that is sharing God’s love and the gospel with people.

Like Beyonce’s song, I want to know that I have helped to touch someone’s heart. I have helped to save someone and guide them to everlasting love with our Father.

My son is determined to make the world “cleaner”. His summer project was collecting plastic bottles to recycle. He saved every bottle we brought into the house and even picked up a few on his own. We are still making trips to the recycling center. But when I asked him, why he wanted to keep doing this, he told me that he wants his grandchildren to know that he tried to save the environment.

That is his contribution to saving the earth (physically), so be it. Good for him. But later, we all discussed our true reason for being here (on earth). What is our real purpose?

Before you go, leave this earth, how much can you say you have accomplished? Sure, I have a bucket list of things I want to do before I leave. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to knock out a few things on the list. But as time passes and I get older, I find that the list is not so important. My focus, my priority has shifted.

I have chosen to love people and love them more than I love the earth, more than the universe (which some people worship but that’s another conversation).

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea.

Revelation 21:1

Courtesy of VineImage

We can influence the world by changing the hearts of mankind. Sounds a little crazy, right? We know that we will not be able to save everyone, but it helps to be a little optimistic about our goal. Can you imagine a world where everyone is happy and in love? Heaven right? Yes, my dear hearts. Think on these things as we strive to share the gospel of the grace of God with everyone.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

 

I have decided to love God and to love people so much that my desire is for them to know the gospel of Christ. And knowing this, that Christ died for our sins and we have only to believe this, is love. I am happy to share this with any and everyone, even if it means I forfeit items from my bucket list.

Paul, the apostle in the New Testament retaught this lesson of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Love never fails. Beloved, this is how we leave our mark on the world. This is how we help to make things a little better.

My son is still hard at work leaving his ecological footprint on the earth. But what spiritual footprint will we leave? When we come before our Father in Heaven, what will He say to us? Will he see that we chose material things over the souls of our brothers and sisters?

When you leave this world, will you leave regrets? Or will you be like Paul and boldly say ‘I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing’ (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Why Did God Do This To Me?

My dear friend had a question. One that all of us have asked at some point in our lives. A true student of the Bible should question the Bible, the validity of it and even question God. This, my friend, is how you get your answers. This is how you may come into the knowledge of the truth. First, you question it.

My friend, Ryan, and I had one of our two-hour long conversations last week. And yes, we discussed the Bible. We talked about many things but the question that stayed with me most was the simplest. He said, “I just can’t wrap my mind around the fact that it was God’s will to allow my ancestors to be slaves. There is no justification for that. Why?”

He believes there is a God. He believes Jesus is the Son of God. But, my friend has lost interest in our faith. And guess what? He is in the perfect state of mind. Here’s why.

Ryan is starting to question his beliefs. He is searching for truth. He is not taking anyone’s word for anything in the Bible. He has asked the ultimate question. Why?

The answer is there is nothing nor will there be anything that happens in this universe that God has not already seen happen. He has a master plan for all our lives. That plan is simple: that we go to Heaven to be with Him. (Just as Jesus took the thief next to him on the cross to Heaven. Luke 23:43) Now, how this plan is carried out is completely up to each of us. That, my friend, is called free will. And God knows you better than yourself and loves you.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1 John 3:2

And He knows what things we will encounter on our journey. The detours we take on this road to Heaven is courtesy of the freedoms afforded to us by the Father.

God did not just declare slavery or any other unfortunate events to happen. He allowed these things and made them, so they would have purpose. Let’s look at some Biblical genealogy for a moment. God allowed the Hebrew people in the old testament to become slaves too. Joseph was sold into slavery by the hands of his own brothers (Genesis 37). Joseph thrived in Egypt and saved his family from a famine. His family moved to Egypt where they were later enslaved and gave birth to Moses, who was given the ten commandments. It was God’s plan to give the ten commandments to His people through Moses. Who else could possibly come up with such a perfectly crafted plan? And every stop along the way had divine purpose. And, you know what else? My friend and brother, Ryan, would not exist to now finally seek the truth of God if his ancestors had not been slaves. This too was part of the plan.

God will not reveal the details of His plan for us. God did not reveal the mystery of Christ until Paul (Acts 9:1-19). The disciples thought that Jesus had died and that was the end. In fact, one of them, Thomas, did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead (John 20). It was not until Jesus revealed himself to Paul in Acts and gave him the gospel did we learn that we are saved by grace through faith. God’s grace and our faith secures our salvation. So, my dear friends, God will not draw a map of our lives and show us every bump in the road. First, we could not handle it. Second and most importantly, God wants us to trust Him. He warned that we will face trouble in this world (Job 14:1). But, the Lord has given us everything we need to complete out journey. We are saved by placing our faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection for our salvation. Jesus left the Holy Spirit as our comforter and companion to be with us until He returns to take us home. We place all our faith in that master plan.

Now, Ryan was quiet after I spoke. Surely, we will have another conversation this week. I encouraged him, as I urge everyone to study the scripture. Trust the Lord. When you heart is open to the truth and you seek it as my friend here is seeking, you will find it. Remember, beloved friends, it is God’s desire that we all find the truth and in turn, find a place with Him eternally.

⁹ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

¹¹ According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

¹² In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

¹³ Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:9-21

 

Is Our Christian Faith on Life Support?

Christianity has been on the decline for many years. This is no secret. In recent years, the number of people claiming the Christian faith has dropped drastically, especially among our children.

Why are millennials ditching the Christian faith?

According to the Pew Research Center, 60 percent of millennials look at Christianity in a negative light. I’m going to go out on a limb here to say that the outlook for Generation X will not be better unless we do something about this.

A few days ago, I sat down with a small group of millennials and asked if they believed in Jesus. I wanted to know their thoughts on our faith. Sadly, their answers did not surprise me. At first, they hesitated to say. I guess they feared that I would “preach” to them. But once I assured them they were in a no judgement zone, their answers flowed freely.

Church people are hypocrites.

I agree whole heartedly with this one. People have seen and heard our “do as I say, not as I do” mentality for so long that we are no longer taken seriously. Religious people preach a long list and do’s and don’ts to go to Heaven. But they try to hide the fact that they cannot stick to their own religious diet. The truth is no one can. The way to Heaven is very simple: faith in the complete work of Jesus. In John 14:6, Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the light. No one come to the Father except through me.” We are reminded through the teaching of Paul (who was given the gospel from the risen Jesus Christ) that we are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Do not allow anyone to say that you must keep the commandments to go to Heaven (Romans 10:4). Jesus died for every single sin you can imagine past and present. If you trust that fact, you are redeemed. That security will allow you to walk this earth freely. You will appreciate that sacrifice your Father made just for you and want to share it. Try it and get back to me.

The Bible has too much code. Anyone to make up an interpretation.

Again, very true. Anyone can and will make up an interpretation to fit their personal agenda. More recent example of “Christians” twisting the Bible for personal gain is when Attorney General Jeff Sessions quoted a passage from the book of Romans 13 when he and the current administration caught a lot of heat for separating immigrant children from their parents.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Romans 13:1

Sessions clearly believes that God has ordained the lawmakers of this country and as citizens we must obey them. Well, true…and false. In Romans 13, Paul is writing to the church in Rome where they had been so compassionate about their newfound beliefs that they were purposely breaking the laws. In the passage, Paul points out that the laws are made for law breakers. A peaceful person has no use for the law because it does not apply. I think we can all agree that God did not ordain Sessions, Trump or any other politician before or after them.

This one reason why we study the scriptures for ourselves.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

I can attest to the fact that if truly want an understanding of God’s word, He will give you understanding (2 Timothy 2:7). With this understanding, no one will be able to feed us their false teachings. We take no person’s word for the interpretation of scripture. Like David in Psalms 119:11, hide the word of God in your heart.

Christians can’t agree on one simple thing: How do I get to Heaven?

There is nothing more frustrating than the feeling of being pulled into many different directions. How discouraging! There are churches telling you to get baptized, pray a prayer, beg for the Holy Spirit to rain down, attend orientation ceremonies, confess your sins to the world and the list goes on. The truth is you must do NONE of these things to get to heaven. Yes, you read correctly. Beloved, you must DO nothing to be with our Father when He I ready to call us to Heaven. You only need to BELIEVE that God’s begotten son Jesus, died on the cross and was resurrected for the atonement of ALL sins. That means every sin you have committed and will commit. Let’s face it. We are of the flesh. Sin is inevitable. Everyone is fallible and will make mistakes. But, be at ease, dear heart. Jesus Christ has got you covered! Now, the “good” things that we do, be it feeding and sheltering the homeless or sharing the gospel, we do it because we are saved by the blood of Jesus. We want to be good representatives for Him. And those good works you perform while you are here will be rewarded in Heaven (1 Corinthians 3:8).

Friends, what we see with our youth falling from the truth, is nothing new. Satan has twisted the word of God since before the garden of Eden. It is so important that we all focus on a spiritual relationship with God as opposed to a religious one. The time that Paul spoke of when he said people will not hear the truth but will fall victim to false teachings, is now.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry

2 Timothy 4:2-5

It’s easy to become engrossed in these things when you do not know the truth.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Please trust in this promise God made to all of us. And that, dearly beloved, will keep you.

Grace and peace,

Blessings and love,

Pray For What?

Tags

anti-religion, faith, lifestyle, prayer, prayforpeace, religion

 

When someone tells you that they will pray for you, do you secretly think they are lying?

Yes, I do.

They may mean well. Some may even spit out a quick ‘God bless you’ to keep themselves honest. Yes, I have done just that. But I have stopped making those promises. I do not pray that you will pass your test or that God will raise your mother from the dead. Nope.

My prayer, if any, is simple: Thy will be done.

I am just sick of hearing these people who just want to be seen and heard, belting out these beautifully crafted poems and speeches masquerading as prayers. Yes. I am the girl in the back of the church rolling her eyes, waiting for the curtain. From what I gather from this situation, Jesus was with me on this one.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:5

I’ve gone to some churches and I can recite their prayers. I know exactly what they are going to say when the stand to deliver this “prayer”. Really, it’s a well-rehearsed speech filled with commands and begging followed by some thankfulness.

I was bored. I wondered if God shared that sentiment.

The truth is that we don’t know for what to pray. We already have everything we need. Jesus left us with the holy spirit, the comforter, the reminder, that internal peace that assures us that paradise is ours one day.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26

Yes, Jesus gave us the “Lord’s prayer” but remember this was before He gave His life for our sins. Plus, note in that prayer, Jesus says “thy will be done”.

Thy will be done. The Lord’s will be done.

There is no harming in asking for anything. But know that God’s plan will always prevail. So, if it is not in God’s plan, your request will be denied. Not because you didn’t pray hard enough. Not because you didn’t have faith but simply because it was not part of God’s plan.

The Apostle Paul prayed three times for God to take away his sickness (2 Corinthians 12:8). But, God did not. Why? Because it was not God’s plan. Instead, God reminded Paul that there is a reason for every affliction, every situation.

 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Paul accepted this as we should. Our omniscient God has an excellent plan. We have everything we need, if we have trusted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who died for all of our sins. Simple. Again, there is no harm in praying and asking for what you want. But, know that God has a righteous plan that is set and intended for the good of all people.

Now the question is, do you trust God’s plan?

 

A Higher Loyalty

Have you every questioned someone’s loyalty? Quite discomforting, isn’t it? The sheer torture of dealing with the fact that someone dear to you may not have your best interest in mind, especially when it counts the most. How do you find out for certain? Do you test them to see where their allegiance truly lies or do you just trust?

Some people just trust that the person is indeed loyal and most of the time, that loyalty is reciprocal. But, most people would test. And some people suffer a bit of disappointment when those results are revealed. Sure, you may say ‘At least now I know the truth’ or ‘Well, that’s a load off’, but you are still disappointed.

And what about you? Who or what has your absolute allegiance?

My sons and I were reading about Paul of Tarsus’ last letter to Timothy and the churches in 2 Timothy. One of the most touching parts of the letter comes when Paul says his goodbye knowing he is about to be put to death. This part shows that Paul is so certain that his placed unequivocal faith in Christ and that his loyalty to the gospel of Christ has been unquestionable that he is at peace with dying.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. The verse made me wonder how many of us can say the same as Paul? How many of us can say that we have placed our unquestionable, untarnished, blind faith in Jesus Christ? How many of us can say that out loyalty is to Jesus? Could we too withstand being tortured, exiled, and even suffer death and remain loyal to God?

Have you trusted that it is Jesus Christ alone who is the way to the Kingdom of God?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

It is through Jesus Christ’s suffering and dying and been raised again from that brutal death that guarantees our destination is Heaven. That is, if you believe.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Have you trusted in Jesus, solely Jesus?

How loyal are you to that belief?

You are not trusting that your own merits, deeds, good intentions or love for humanity will get you to Heaven, but your faith in Jesus and only Jesus is the way.

If He chose to do so, would Jesus Christ question your loyalty? We cannot question His loyalty? He offered the gift of eternal peace and has never taken it away. Can we say the same about our faith in Him?

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:36