Saturday, March 27, 2021
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Carol Bauer
As you know, my wife, Carol, prepares a monthly prayer alert. I hope you will share Carol's thoughts with your friends and fellow worshipers. Thank you for taking an interest in her monthly devotion. -- Gary
The last several months have been eye opening, disappointing, exhausting, and downright depressing. From the 2020 election results through January 6th at the U.S. Capitol. . .
To the seating of the new Congress and the Georgia Senate results. . .
To the first two months of the Biden Administration marked by a flurry of executive orders and a shocking display of one-party rule. . .
And the death of Rush Limbaugh. . . It has been very discouraging!
Promised transparency and unity are in short supply and there are legitimate questions about who is really in charge of the administration. Newly passed legislation named for COVID relief was really a catchall bill with goodies galore for Democrat interest groups. And more big spending and higher taxes are on the way.
If all we did was focus on the political landscape right now, it would be very easy to throw in the towel. But as Believers we know the rest of the story. What better time to clarify our outlook and reground ourselves than during the upcoming Holy Week.
Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem with waving palm fronds and shouts of "Hosanna" from crowds seeking a new political leader. Instead, in one week's time the Son of God would warn his disciples of the rough road ahead, while promising that He was going ahead of them to prepare a place for them.
The Last Supper is the sacrament that poignantly and powerfully reminds us of the contrast between our present troubles in this world and eternity with Christ that awaits us. And then Jesus was crucified, abruptly ending the plans of those hoping for a new earthly leader. All seemed lost.
While we may feel discouraged and downcast in our present troubles, imagine how the disciples and Mary, mother of Jesus, must have felt at his crucifixion. Distraught, alone, fearful, angry, hopeless.
Though despair overcame them, the story was not over. Three days later Jesus had gloriously risen from the dead and appeared to them, at first unrecognizable, in his eternal body. He had conquered death, and they were told that believing in Him they could also.
He challenged them to spread to the ends of the earth the news about His promise of eternal life through belief in Him. And so those eleven began the movement that today has become the worldwide church.
He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!
Being a believer in the risen Christ and living out a life of faith in today's culture has its challenges. That is indisputable. The tenets of our faith are undermined by the culture and too many political leaders.
Yet, we in the United States do enjoy far more religious freedom than so many other countries and cultures. Gary's work as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has really brought this home.
The Easter season is the perfect time to remind ourselves that even though we may be in the midst of trials, we do know that the risen Christ prevails over the troubles of this world. We can rest in the knowledge that we know the rest of the story. We can find peace and comfort there.
In the coming days, as we ponder the last terrible days of Jesus' life here on earth followed by his crucifixion and glorious resurrection, let us rest in the knowledge of the promises of Jesus for life everlasting for those who believe in Him. It is my prayer that you and your family will find solace, hope, encouragement and strength during this Easter season.
Dear Lord, in this holy Easter season remind us anew of your promise to be with us always even unto the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Open our hearts to Your words of love and encouragement to dispel the cultural challenges that face us every day.
Keep us from discouragement. Help us to walk in obedience following in the footsteps of Jesus as we turn our eyes from present troubles to your timeless promise of eternal life with you. Give us joy and hope as we focus on the eternal perspective You have laid before us.
And then, once renewed and filled to overflowing with Your eternal promises, may You strengthen our resolve to live a life marked by faith in this world just where You have planted each of us. May our lives well lived point others to You.
May we be reinvigorated by your promises and reminded of them each day as spring unfolds and new life bursts forth from the dormant winter. Your presence and promises will feed our souls in the days ahead as we stand for Your righteousness.
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