Most Important Message Shared All Year: He Lives!

Guest Post  
by Monica Cole

Resurrection Sunday is a time to Rejoice! Jesus paid a debt for us that no one else could ever pay so that we could be in heaven with Him for eternity. God gave the perfect sacrifice, His only Son, and if we believe in Him, then we will be forgiven and saved from our sins.

To be saved, you must believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for EVERYONE'S sins, including your own, so that one day we could be with our Heavenly Father. If you believe Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, you will also need to admit you are a sinner - as we all are. Romans 3:23 KJV says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." If you have never confessed your sin and belief in Christ, take time to do it right now. Jesus is the only way to be saved from your sins and receive eternal life.

On the third day, he rose again from the dead. This is the Good News that Christians celebrate: His Resurrection! He is ALIVE! And one day our Savior will return. He, and only He, sets us free from our sins! "Jesus saith unto him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me'." John 14:6 KJV

The birth of Jesus is wonderful, but the resurrection is even more exciting. It is the finale to the Christmas story. Jesus accomplished what he came for. Jesus' last words before dying on the cross were documented in John 19:30 as, "It is finished." He knew that all was now completed and that Scripture would be fulfilled. To suggest that more needs to be done to earn your way to heaven is the same as saying Jesus died for nothing. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

Nails were not what held Jesus to the cross. Jesus had the power to come down from that cross, but He knew this is what had to be done for His believers to be saved. He died on the cross for you and me because of His love for us. He loved us that much! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 KJV

If you know of someone who is not saved, please pass this on to them. Share the greatest gift of all with them: a relationship with Jesus Christ and eternal life. Also, share this with your brothers and sisters in Christ so they may use this to share with others. God commands that we share the gospel with others. We need to help one another become passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

For a powerful resource to use while witnessing and for more answers as you seek to know Him, go to http://knowhim.afr.net.

Have a meaningful Holy Week and blessed Resurrection celebration!

Sincerely,

Monica Cole, Director
OneMillionMoms.com

P.S. Please forward this to your family and friends! Become a fan of OneMillionMoms on Facebook! If you use Twitter, keep up with the latest information by following us. 

In Good Hands (Baby Dedication Song) by Ben Chilcote

 

Babies, babies, everywhere!

I have seen so many precious little ones lately... those one the way and the new arrivals, that it seemed like a good time to share this song.

Ben Chilcote has written a song especially for baby dedications. It's called "In Good Hands", and it would be great for churches to play during their baby dedication ceremony.

If you don't know what a baby dedication is, it's a promise to raise your child(ren) in the way of the Lord and an acknowledgment of the fact that our children belong to God. He has graciously entrusted us with their care and upbringing, so it it only fitting that we offer them back to the One who loves them more than we could ever imagine.

When I heard this song, it touched my heart. My brother wrote a special song for my husband and I for our wedding, fourteen years ago. This song reminded me of that... not because they sound alike, they don't in any way, but because I can hear that it was written with the same heart of wanting to bless others. 

Give it a listen...

In Good Hands
Copyright 2009 Ben Chilcote

I closed my eyes and said a prayer

And when I looked down you were there

And you were placed into my arms

So amazing

Who am I that God would trust

His little one into my love

And now it all seems up to me

You’re small and helpless


Your steps are ordered

Your hairs are counted

I’ve been entrusted

With God’s beloved


How will I teach you how to walk

When I’m so prone to wander off

How will I teach you how to live

To love and give


How will I teach you how to trust

When I don’t keep my promises

How can I teach you all these things

I’m still learning


Your steps are ordered

Your hairs are counted

A life awaits you

Like a fountain


I am the only world you see

Your tiny hand reaches to me


So I take you by the hand

Close my eyes and pray again

Today I place my dreams for you

In His hands


And one day when you are grown

And walk with Jesus on your own 

I know you finally will be

In good hands


Through the tears and

Through the laughter

The Lord goes with you

Before and after


He is longing

For the moment

He can walk with

His beloved


Our steps are ordered

Our hairs are counted

He has never

Missed a moment

And be sure to check out Ben Chilcote's website here.

Thanks for reading and have a great day! God bless! :)

Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards

About Zombie Church  A creative, entertaining approach to resurrecting the undead church.    There is something missing in the church today. Stuck in a rut of routines and rituals, the church is caught up in doing what it is “supposed to do” but is lacking the true essence of what it is supposed to provide: life. Real faith--and a real relationship with Jesus--is not about playing by the rules, attending services, and praying before meals. Real faith is more than religion.   Believing there is a way to breathe life back into the church, Tyler Edwards adopts a contemporary and entertaining metaphor--zombies--to highlight and challenge the problematic attitude of today’s believers.

Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus.

 

While other books have addressed legalism in the church, this is the only book that effectively capitalizes on a popular entertainment genre in order to diagnose and correct the problem. Realizing that even his own church is part of that problem, Edwards has written an accessible and often humorous book that will help believers change the Spirit-draining (or life-draining) habits that stop them from achieving a full, fulfilling life in Christ.  Order a copy here.

My Review

 

When I saw the title of this book, I had to read it. I knew by the name what the author was trying to convey, but I was still wondering if it could be related in a way that would be well received. The answer is... yes. And what better way to get the attention of the younger generation than to use zombies as a sort of 'parable' or 'allegory'. It works.

I think this is a great book to describe what is happening in the church today. Many of us are concerned, with good reason. Tyler Edwards says of these zombie churches: "These are churches where God might be taught, but He is not attending." Such truth... I can't even count the times I've heard people say that the church is 'dead'. It is truly an epidemic.

Zombie Church not only points out the condition of the church, but offers insight into "awakening the undead."  It will challenge you and inspire you. Be encouraged... we can still make a difference. It's not too late for the church to come alive in Christ! There are so many things I'd love to share from this book, but it's best to pick it up and read it for yourself. It's worth it. 

*Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thanks!

See what others are saying... follow the Blog Tour here.
 

About Tyler Edwards

Tyler Edwards is the lead pastor at Cornerstone Christian Church in  Joplin ,  Missouri , where he works to help people learn how to live like Jesus, love like Jesus, and look like Jesus—so they carry out the mission of Jesus to the world. He graduated from  Ozark   Christian College  with bachelor’s degrees in both Biblical Literature and  Christian   Ministry . He has written articles for Lookout Magazine, spoken at various campus ministry events in  Missouri , and served overseas in  Mbale ,  Uganda .

 

Tyler loves cheesy horror films. He is particularly fond of movies like Dawn of the Dead, The Signal, and 28 Days Later, where zombies run wild and threaten to infect an entire town. Connect with Tyler on Facebook.

Giveaway

The publisher is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway open to all readers!

About the Giveaway!

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about Zombie Church  or share about it on Facebook!

 

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy. (All Litfuse bloggers who post a review are automatically entered and do NOT need to email us.)

 

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea:

 

TWEET THIS:  Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards - a fair-minded & tenderhearted critique of the church http://ow.ly/6Nv05 @litfuse RT for $50 to @amazon

 

FACEBOOK THIS: Don’t miss Edwards - a fair-minded and tenderhearted critique of the church. http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13424384 Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus. Share this for a chance at $50 to Amazon.com.

Thanks for reading and God bless!                   

National Back to Church Sunday

If you haven't heard, this Sunday, September 18th,  is National Back to Church Sunday.

If you've been thinking of going back to church but never seem to get around to it... or if you've never been and would like to check it out... then how about this Sunday?

Or... maybe there's someone you've been meaning to invite. Well, here is the perfect reminder.

Watch the video below and check out this website to find a church in your area.

 

Hope to see you there! :)