Easter's True Message

[Angela Dobbins]

Easter's True Message

Easter's true message is Love- God's love for you and me.

We talk about love, we search for love... in all kinds of places and in most every way. But I believe the source of true love can be found in only one place- the heart of God. The Bible tells the story of how love entered into the world with the very act of creation. We can see it in every blade of grass and on the faces of the little flowers. In the songs of the robin and the whistling of the breeze, we hear it. And in the sun's warmth and the afternoon shade, we feel it. It's all around us- from the heavens above to the depths of the ocean floor. In all creation God is saying He loves us.

It's interesting to know that in the diary of the late Madalyn Murray O'Hair, a well known atheist, she had written many times, "Somebody, somewhere, love me!" It's also sad that Madalyn never knew how much she was loved by her Creator because she chose not believe in Him. She refused to admit that she needed Him. I have to tell you, I need Him... without Him, I'd be empty inside. But I'm happy and thankful to be able to say I'm not empty inside! Because, not only do I have God's love all around me in His creation, I have His love in my heart. And I can share that love with you, my family, and with others. And it's all because of one man- Jesus, God’s own Son.

Now, some say Jesus was just an ordinary man. But history has a different story to tell for anyone who genuinely seeks the truth. Not only do we know He was a great teacher, we are assured that He was the Son of God. And even more, that He gave His life, according to God's plan, so that every one of us might be able to experience the love of God in our own lives. We find the proof of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in an unprecedented number of New Testament manuscripts, in historical documents, and in archaeology. No matter how hard the skeptics try, they can not disprove the story of Jesus nor discount the ways in which His life has changed our world. Because, you see, He was and still is the greatest testament of true love ever known to man. He was God's love manifest in human form. And He is and will be forever with us by His Spirit, which lives in all creation and in the hearts of those who seek to know Him.

At Easter we celebrate the love we share as a family- God’s adopted children. And we remember what Jesus has done for each of us... certainly through His life, for it is an example of selfless love- God's love; and through His death, because He paid an atonement for our short-comings and opened a door to an eternal relationship with our Creator. But, even greater than that, the Bible and history tell us that He rose from the grave, defeating death, so that we might have eternal life! And today He is seated in Heaven at the right hand of God, Our Father and Creator.

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus give us hope... hope for today, for we can experience His love and the joy He brings to our lives; and for the future, because we believe we will see Him again one day and live joyfully in God's presence forever. As we search for meaning and answers to life’s questions here on earth, and as we long to be loved, may we realize there is One who loves us with an everlasting love and who is waiting patiently, as our Heavenly Father, to have us run into His arms and call Him by name. He longs to forgive our mistakes, heal our hurts, and to fill our lives with hope and joy.

The true message of Easter is "Love". Jesus embodied it, through His life and by His words. In Matthew 22:37-40, He commands us,

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

So, today, let us be thankful to Jesus Christ for coming to earth and giving His life so that we might fully know the love of our Heavenly Father and Creator. And may we open our minds and hearts, accepting God's love, and allow it to flow through us, that every person might know the wonderful gift He has bestowed to us all through His Son, Jesus Christ!

Blessings to all... Happy Easter!


Dear Friend,

If you haven't experienced the love of God in your life, but you'd like to, I invite you to ask Him to come into your heart today. I'm a living testament that He can change your life with His love and bring you new hope, no matter what circumstances surround you. All it takes is a simple prayer, from your heart, seeking forgiveness for past wrongs and a chance for a fresh start, believing that Jesus died so that you can have new life. If you'd like that new life right now, then pray this prayer with me:

"Dear Heavenly Father, I believe that You are the Creator of the Universe, of the earth and all that is in it. I believe You created me and that You love me- so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins so that I could have new life as Your adopted son/daughter. I want to know Your love and to have new hope and joy in my life. Please forgive me for the things I've done wrong and come into my heart. Change me now and make me a new person with a fresh start. I want to live the way Jesus taught us to live by loving You, as well as my neighbor. I give my life to You from this day forward. In Jesus name I pray. Amen."

If you prayed that prayer today, I'd love to hear from you. Please send me an e-mail so I can pray for you and send you some materials to encourage and support you in your new walk. If I can be of any help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. May God bless you abundantly, my friend, and guide you to becoming all He created you to be!

Love in Christ,

Sister Angela Dobbins

Founder
True Life Family Ministries
www.tlfm.org