Saturday Night Blog March 23, 2013

My friend, Zebediah had a big fan, his mom. They often partnered together to help folks in Rapid City who were being physically abused. One reason they cared so much was because of the real physical pain they had inflicted on them by others. They also dealt with persecution because of their faith in JESUS and their insistence on living lives of sacrifices for those who were being hurt. When you read his words, you will see why Zebediah had a great fan in his mom, and in me. GOD bless the reading of your words of peace and comfort from your wounded warriors! Easter this year will be sweeter if we remember the deeds and promises of our Jesus Christ, our MESSIAH. 

"I was asked to write about Easter coming up. Particularly in regard to this Easter being so different, as my mother passed away last year, and is now with the Lord.

As I think of Easter I remember many things my mother taught me. Something I wrote in another blog sums it up quite well I think. “ The war we fight was won long ago. When that most perfect servant declared on Calvary’s top "it is finished". Since we have only to fight the battles that remain, of this pre-concluded war.” We are told in 1 Timothy 6:12 to “fight the good fight” and by Paul we are told what to fight with (Galatians 5:22-23) but all of this comes down to a simple thing, "Love your neighbor as yourself and love the Lord thy God above all else." 

Easter is a celebration of the example we were given by Christ and with it the responsibility. Love acts not for what is received but for the sake of those for whom we act . It is written that we share in the death of Christ, (Romans 6:10-11) and in many ways a born again Christian does. One of the fruits of the spirit is even longsuffering. Because we share in the death of Christ the closer we grow to him the better we are at putting away the temptations of this world and the better we are at pursuing the spiritual things of God. It is important not to stop here as we also share in the resurrection of Christ (Easter) . Because of the resurrection we can know love that is real, because of this we can produce the fruit of the spirit. For this cause do we fight that which is the good fight. This is the challenge my mother lived and taught us as we grew up. This is the story my mother repeated every Easter, to be sure we knew. All modern frivolity aside we are called to serve and Easter is not only a celebration of Christ death but a reminder of his death for us and a celebration of his resurrection and his life. That is our hope and our calling. This year my mother is beyond this world and it is now up to me to tell the little ones of Christ and our hope, that they may continue and know love truly. It will be strange indeed without mom there, but I know she to shares in the resurrection. One day, I will see her again in the kingdom of God."

Thanks to those faithful ones who love Jesus, who are faithful to HIS cause… big marv