EASTER

Vol. 15 No. 4

Dear Friend,

Easter Sunday we celebrate the most significant event in all of history and eternity.

Something overwhelming, stupendous, and unexpected happened on that first Easter.

Jesus Christ, killed on a cross and truly dead, was raised to life.

Indeed, Jesus Christ truly is alive...

            not merely alive when we remember him,

                        not simply alive in the stories we tell of him,

                                    not only alive when we obey his teaching,

but literally really alive.

This Easter, confess aloud, "Jesus is Lord,

            believe in your heart God raised him from the dead,

                        and rejoice in the life and love of Jesus Christ that God has given you.

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom.10:9 NIV).

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies (Rom. 8:11).

Joy to you - 
E. Stanley Ott                                 

LENT

Vol. 15 No. 3

Dear Friend, 

Beginning with Ash Wednesday and lasting until Easter, Lent is the season of the year in which the follower of Jesus Christ is invited to review and renew the depth of his or her commitment to Jesus Christ.

A Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, one of the great devotional classics of our century was written by Hannah Whitall Smith. Her words of clear love for Jesus Christ and positive encouragement have stirred literally millions of Christians to reach more eagerly for a deep relationship with God.

Hannah Smith recommended a simple prayer for the Christian to be used as a means of growing deeper in God's love:

Lord, I am thine; I do yield myself up entirely to thee, and I believe that thou dost take me. I leave myself with thee. Work in me all the good pleasure of thy will and I will only lie still in Thy hands and trust Thee.

Hannah Smith suggested that this simple prayer of surrender and trust be prayed several times each day.

As part of my own spiritual disciplines during this season of Lent, I have enjoyed memorizing Hannah's prayer and using it three or four times each day, on waking, upon going to bed, and during the day.

I encourage you to carry this prayer with you this week or memorize it (it is fairly short).

If you prefer to substitute "yours" for "Thine" and "You" for "Thee", go right ahead.

Use this simple prayer several times a day each day this week as one way of growing in your love for Jesus Christ as we drawer nearer to Easter.

Joy to you - 
E. Stanley Ott