Drama, suspense, problems —these are elements of a good story.  Right now, it feels like we are living in the middle of a story line in a book or movie.   Everyday we are wondering, what is going to happen, how is this story going to end?

Perhaps, we don’t need to wonder, anymore.  Perhaps, we have already been given the answers.

The Bible is God’s letter to us.  It has the story of redemption in it; it has prophesies fulfilled in it, and prophesies yet to be fulfilled; it is filled with poetry and prose.   It is filled with the message of God’s longing for us, and His willingness to gain our souls by going to the cross and dying for us.

 This is the message of Easter.  Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Easter is the event in history that celebrates the worst and the best thing that ever happened.  The worst—Jesus was crucified on a cross.  Jesus, about whom it is written, that “the Word was God, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1

Then, the best thing—Jesus rose from the dead.  He conquered death.  He showed us by conquering death, that we would also conquer death.   This is what we celebrate on Easter and we celebrate it every day.  Death no longer has victory over us.  We will live with God forever.  “The witness is this that God has given us eternal life, and that life is in His Son.”  1 John 5: 11

All of human history culminates in experiencing the victory over death that Jesus’ death has brought us.

But until, human history ends, and a new heaven and earth are given, we are in the midst of a war, a war for the souls of man.  We are in the midst of a huge spiritual battle.  “Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of darkness in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 6:12

Perhaps, you have been touched by this battle.  You may have been hurt by humans who listened to the forces of darkness, and now it is difficult to trust God, the lover of your soul, the one who died to demonstrate that love for you.

We are in the midst of a worldwide crisis, that, I believe has been orchestrated by the forces of darkness, to frighten and separate and extinguish us.   It is difficult to see God’s light and love and truth.  It is difficult to trust that light, that love, that truth.

God knew these times would be coming, so He gave us His Word.  These are the verses I am clinging to now, during this time:

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”   Romans 5:1-8

If you are longing to know God, but have really big questions, like “Is God Real?” “Is Jesus God?” “What about suffering?” I have included a link for you to go to, that may help you with those questions:  https://www.cru.org/us/en/how-to-know-god/lifes-questions.html

If you would like to watch a video on the life of Jesus, you can go to this link:   (there are options for other languages to watch film in at the bottom of the page.)  :https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/english.html

Our household is praying for your household to have a wonderful Easter in spite of this crisis!

Happy Easter Everyone!!