It’s Good Friday; and it’s a bad world. There’s a plague of locusts destroying crops, further starving the people of Africa. Running at a faster, more frequent pace; we are experiencing earthquakes, floods, tornados and wildfires. All of these are competing, to outdo the viral plague which is currently sweeping the globe; a whispered household name: Coronavirus.
God woke me early this morning to write… something I’ve been unable to do for almost a year, due to chronic illness. I wanted to first write to apologize and explain why I’ve been missing, but I got too sick again before completing it. However, it’s always God’s timing, not mine. Even though all my posts center on Jesus, today on Good Friday, God has inspired me to just talk about precious Jesus… and YOU, because Jesus died on the cross a long, time ago on this day, for me, and for you. “YOU,” is a great reminder that God’s promises are true for each and every one of us. God promises that before Jesus returns, every single person on earth; no matter what their age, sex, race, or religion; will have heard The Gospel, with an opportunity to accept Jesus and receive salvation:
“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come” (Matt.24:14 NLT).
“Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death” (Matt. 27:1 NLT).
COVID-19 has come at a time of outrageous, in-your-face, emboldened rebellion. These sins destroy; breeding darkness, disturbance, sickness, and death. Why would God allow this? The Bible tells us that our world will only get worse until Jesus returns for God’s children; it will be worse yet for the unsaved people left behind. But nothing compares to Hell, where all pain and suffering comes together with unimaginable evils. We live in a fallen world, where each man and woman are given free will. Disasters are part of “the fall” from Satan seeping his poison into the earth. Because our fleshly nature is sinful, sometimes others sin against us, and other times, we destroy our very own selves. We are not actors in a movie. We live uncertain lives, never knowing what’s around the next corner. God is omnipresent and omniscient. God knows everything about us, and He aches for us to turn to Him during trials. Tumultuous times give us a chance to repent, run into the arms of our Everlasting, Ever-loving God, and shout, “Save me!” God sent His Son, Jesus, as our way out of the misery. God gives us shelter, protection, and peace of mind through our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Salvation. He rescues us away from the burning coals of Hell, and instead gives us our with our one-way ticket into Heaven; a Paradise with no more tears, suffering, and pain; but only freedom, joy, and love… forever!
Every year during Easter, I learn something new. On Palm Sunday, my pastor gave an online sermon, mentioning that Jesus died for the entire world, but his suffering he endured was for each of us, individually. His punishment was just for your sins, as it was for mine. Jesus interceded for us, allowing himself to take the punishment we deserved… and he had a choice! Has someone ever taken the blame for something you did wrong, ending up with your consequence? You might have felt bad about it, yet also greatly relieved. But Jesus’ suffering was so much more. You can learn more details about the pain, suffering, and rejection Jesus endured for us; by watching: The Crucifixion of Christ, live sermon, by Pastor Mike Dean. Called and anointed by God, this authoritative, yet humble man of God, is greatly gifted to compassionately counsel others and share biblical truths even your children can understand. The service also includes Holy Communion, if you’d like to participate in this traditional Easter ceremony, despite social distancing measures and quarantines in place.
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ” ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me’ “ (1 Cor. 11:23-25 NIV).
Easter is an especially meaningful time to repent and ask forgiveness for our sins. It’s a special time to grow closer to Jesus. It’s also a good time to reflect on the unchanging glory and greatness of our Holy Father. God sent Jesus to save us from our sins. Jesus loves us all soooooo much, that he chose to die in our place, giving us true hope for a better future, a perfect forever future. We only need to admit we are sinners, asking God’s forgiveness, believing Jesus is God’s One and Only Son. We gratefully accept his sacrificial gift of laying down his life for us, because Jesus already took the punishment for our sins on the cross. Through Jesus, our dirty scarlet sins can be purely washed, white as snow. After we die, we are free to walk through the gates of Heaven, into New Life! There’s NO other way:
” ‘Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist–denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us–eternal life” (1 Jn. 2:22-25 NIV).
Have you been offered yet, the gift of eternal life? It’s my humble privilege to help you understand how to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. Even if you were the only man or woman alive on earth, Jesus would have given himself over to be crucified, He would have died only for your sins; in order that you could receive the very best gift, which we cannot even fathom in our human minds… … a glorious, joyful, free life in God’s Kingdom of Heaven… forever! Jesus wants to live with you always! That’s why he willingly gave up his own life for you, as a sheep goes to slaughter. Now, that is true love!
Jesus knows we can’t get into Heaven covered in filthy, unforgiving sin. We need him! We need to accept his sacrificial gift. Not even one “tiny sin” is allowed to soil the purity of Heaven. Otherwise, it would be spoiled for everyone else, including yourself. God always tells the truth and keeps His promises… and in the Bible, He promises us a Heaven that is beautiful, perfect, wonderful, marvelous, and unimaginable! That one “tiny sin” would spoil Heaven’s Holy Beauty; just as the Garden of Eden became spoiled when Adam and Eve sinned in paradise.
Disguised as a serpent, the deceitful devil tempted and tricked Eve, by pretending to be her friend. She disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then she tempted her husband to taste it as well. Now two sinners stood naked and ashamed in the garden. It’s easy to deceive ourselves into thinking a sin is “not so bad,” as long as others are also participating. It’s exactly why: “One bad apple spoils the batch.”
It’s a scary, dark world, but the silver lining is we can have salvation through Jesus Christ. With Jesus living in us, death has no victory. We all live and die. There is fear in the unknown, but the fear is valid for those who choose to reject Jesus when he is the only one able to cleanse away each and every sin. It’s so easy; we can simply accept his sacrificial gift. He already gave it to the whole world, to each and every one of us.
You may have never even picked up a bible, know any biblical characters, or have ever gone to church. Maybe you are struggling with, hiding, or even spending time in jail for a sin you committed. Come as you are; the gift of Jesus is still for YOU! Choose to believe in his beautiful name, and confess him as your Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit will then come dwell with you and show you the rest of the way.
“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9 ESV).
If you’d like some guidance, on how to ask Jesus into your heart, please visit: How to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.
Here are two bible verses about accepting Jesus Christ into your heart:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16 NKJV).
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (ROM. 10:9 NIV).
If you have received Jesus Christ after reading this blog post, I’d love to hear from you; and I promise to pray for you! I’d also love to hear that you already know him! In a world of daily stories filled with devastations, the sacrificial love of Jesus is Good News! Share it. Whether you share this post, via my website or The Silver Lining Ministry Facebook page; or choose to share your own way… please just share The Good News! You can make a difference, because “it only takes a spark!” I am praying for you; yes, YOU! I really am. I’m praying for my family, friends, readers, town, state, country, and everyone in the entire world. I’m even praying for myself, which I often forget to do. May God encourage you on this Good Friday, in Jesus’ name. God loves YOU… because God… is… good!
More encouragement for dealing with Coronavirus, coming soon.
Related past posts for your encouragement:
You are Worth Dying For: 10 Biblical Truths to Survive Rejection (Compassion Series)
Are You REALLY Walking with Jesus?
Pain before Victory… Palm Sunday
Before Your Loved Ones Die, Give Them Jesus… Expect a Miracle!
Looking Back on Easter Miracles
The Silver Lining 