WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EASTER?

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EASTER?

By Keith Bellamy

When I was growing up Easter was always a wonderful time. Not just for hunting Easter eggs, and not only for getting some extra candy with my Easter basket…we went to church to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Now in our fellowship we celebrate Christ’s resurrection every Sunday. But Easter was always special.

Many in our country don’t emphasize the resurrection anymore because it is such a far-out story. That’s true for the skeptic anyway. And so, I am writing today to those who hopefully believe in the resurrection.

What happens after Easter? Does His resurrection make any difference in your life? What gives you hope?

The late, Annette Funicello once said, "Just because I'm in a wheel chair doesn't mean I can't have a wonderful life." What a wonderful attitude! I wish all of us could develop such an attitude. She had to struggle with Multiple Sclerosis for many years before she died. Just about every boy who grew up in the fifties loved Annette. She was my favorite Mouseketeer from the Mickey Mouse Club. But there was nothing ‘Mickey Mouse’ about that lady! She set the standard for those who struggle with M.S. She had hope.

I was recently counseling someone who has an addiction to alcohol. He had “fallen off the wagon,” and was trying to overcome his addiction once again. The person I was trying to help has a “Christ-less” religion. He had bought into the philosophy that one can deliver “self” from substance abuse. However, I have never seen that happen.

Christ’s Way is the only Way. He is the only One Who promises hope. He is the only One who keeps His promises.

I believe in Jesus’ promise in John 11:25, 26, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Do you believe? When you die will there be hope. For that matter, where do you place your hope?

The greatest Giver Who ever lived willingly gave His life so that you and I can have eternal life. While His gift is free, He made certain requirements for receiving that gift. We will have to come to Him on His terms. Will you?

How Are You?

How Are You?

By Keith Bellamy

I asked that question recently of a friend. My friend has had all sorts of things happen to him in his short lifetime. To be honest I wondered how my friend was surviving at all. He had a failed marriage. He had two children who were torn between both parents. His father and mother had both died in a tragic accident. And my friend had been diagnosed with a terrible disease. The doctor told him he might have only six months to live.

Now what was amazing…never once did I hear my friend question God! I never heard my friend ask, “Why me Lord?” I never once heard him blame God.

My friend just kept serving the Lord with all of his being. He was not willing to quit over all of these things happening to him.

My friend wasn't surprised when his friends turned on him. After all, real friends wouldn't do that.

Now some of you may be wondering who this friend is, and some of you who are reading this may not care.

To be honest, this story could be about anyone. I made it up to hopefully get your attention!

Jesus’ own friends abandoned Him. And yet, He still loved them.

Now, how about you? Who, or what, controls you?

I run into people all of the time who try to blame others for their problems. They will quit the church and blame anyone and everyone else. Or, of course, they can always blame it on the preacher!

When someone uses those excuses, it tells me of their lack of commitment to the Lord. But I promise you…those same people will go to work at their jobs with hypocrites.

Yes, there are fake Christians. But isn’t that so in any area of life?

But our God is alive! And His Son is still King of Kings!

Please consider 1 John 3:16: We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

NOT KNOWING WHERE TO TURN

NOT KNOWING WHERE TO TURN

by Keith Bellamy

Have you ever tried to go on a trip and discovered that the map you were using was wrong? Or maybe someone gave you the wrong directions. I have also known people who cannot read a map. They just can't do it. And now we have GPS that is supposed to be accurate. I tried our GPS years ago just to see what it would do. On one occasion a highway had a number on it that hadn't been used since 1958. So, what is one to do?

My mother was not a very good driver. In fact, she couldn't read a map very well, and she often turned down the wrong road. This was especially exciting when we were on a long trip!

My dad would get directions from different guys he worked with and I think all of them must have enjoyed going on joy rides. On one occasion my wife and I took one of those directions and drove about 300 miles out of the way. So, we don't listen to other people when they give directions. We will look at the map, and sometimes we will trust the GPS.

Now apply all of this when it comes to eternal salvation. Did not Jesus say, “I am The Way” (John 14:6)?

When the Ethiopian did not understand what he was reading, he asked for help. (Read the whole story in Acts chapter 8.) After Philip explained the scriptures and told him about Jesus, "Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him" (Acts 8:38).

If you are not sure as to which way to turn, call us. We will not judge you. We are here to help.