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 sorts of places and in most every way. But I believe the source of true love can only be found in 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.

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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 very 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 We find the proof of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in an unprecedented number of New Testament manuscripts, in historical documents, and in archaeology.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 this, 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 Almighty God, our Father and Creator.

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus give us hope. We have 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."

Today, let us be thankful to Jesus 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 own 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. I'd like to pray for you and to help you find guidance and support, as well as fellowship with other Christians. 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,

Angela Dobbins

Christian Life Coach

True Life Family Ministries

True Living Today- Life Coaching with purpose & passion!

In God's Family There Is Love

A Family Is...

A Family is a Place

To cry

To laugh

To vent frustration

To ask for help
And tease

And yell

To be kissed and hugged and smiled at.

A Family is People

Who care when you are sad

Who love you no matter what

Who share your triumphs
Who don't expect you to be perfect
Just grow with honesty

In your own direction.

A Family is a Circle

Where we learn to like ourselves

Where we learn to make good decisions

Where we learn to think before we do

Where we learn integrity and respect for others

Where we are special

Where we share ideas

Where we listen and are listened to

Where we learn the rules of life

To prepare ourselves for the world.

The world is a Place

Where anything can happen.

If we grow in a Loving Family

We are ready for the world.

~ Author Unknown

    

    

In God's Family There Is Love

    

     I came across the little poem above, one day as I was surfing the internet.  And I realized that the author's words, which seemed to come from a young heart, reflected real insight.  I wish I knew who wrote it because it conveys so much of what I believe a godly family should be.  When I say this, I am not only referring to individual families, but to our church and neighborhood families, as well.  It would do us great good to consider the author's words in describing what a family should be.

     When you think about it, there are all different kinds of families. There are biological families, blended families, adoptive families, extended families, school and work families, organizational families, team families, community families, and more. Each of us belongs to a family, whether it be small or large. Most of us are part of more than one family. But the most wonderful thing is that we are ALL part of God's Family!

     It is in God's Family that we have refuge and find strength to face the day-to-day challenges life brings. In God's Family we are accepted, loved and cared for as His children. Each and every one of us is unique and special to our Heavenly Father. In His Family we find shelter, comfort, guidance, strength, and peace, as we learn to receive God's love and to love Him and others in return.

     In God's Family, there are children with many colored faces, differing characteristics, and from all walks of life. We are all different because He created us that way. He delights in our differences and loves each one of us with a love that is everlasting and unconditional. It is here in God's Family that we discover what a loving Father our Creator really is and that we learn and grow in grace and wisdom, as we receive and share His love.

     In today's world, we are faced with so many challenges and external forces which threaten to destroy our families.  Being a survivor of divorce, myself, I can certainly identify with these challenges.  At a time when there is so much talk concerning "family values" and what an "ideal family" should be, it is important that we remember who we are as God's children and that we strive to uphold the loving values taught in His Word. By "His Word", I am referring not only in His written word, the Bible, but to the true Word of God- Jesus Christ His Son. He is the Living Word of God to us and the ultimate example of God's love for humankind.

     Always remember... in God's Family there is Love, first and foremost. True "family values" are those taught in the book of I Corinthians, chapter 13, in the Ten Commandments, and in the words of Jesus found in Matthew 22:36-40*. Individual families are as different and unique as the members who belong to them. And an "ideal family" is one where God is honored and where love abounds!

May God Bless You Abundantly!

Love in Christ,

Sister Angela Dobbins

Founder, True Life Family Ministries