Heart to Heart

Lord, what could I possibly write this Easter to adequately express my love for You?

I already know your heart.

But Lord, what if someone does not understand why Your children believe what we do? What if they do not understand the meaning of Easter?

Tell my story.
Share the good news.

I always do...

I loved the world so much that I gave my one and only son, Jesus, to die for the sins of all mankind. Whoever believes in Jesus shall not die but have eternal life. I did not send my son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

What is a sin?

Sin is Anything you think, say, or do that separates you from me. The seat of all sin is the heart. All men sin, and fall short of my glory. The wages of sin is spiritual death.

Why did there have to be blood shed for the sins?

My law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

Who is Jesus Christ?

He is my beloved son. We created the world together, along with the holy spirit. Everything is held together by and through him. From the beginning, he knew that he would have to come to earth as a human, and die for all mankind's sins.

He came, in the flesh, as a perfect man. He experienced every temptation and hurt that you experience, yet he was without sin. He was born of a virgin. When he was 30 years old, he was baptized in the Jordan River, and filled with the Holy Spirit. He began teaching about the new covenant and repentance, for the kingdom of god was near. Many did not accept him or his teachings, because he was teaching differently than the Jewish law. He performed many miracles, and healed the sick. He had many followers, as well as enemies. Many people did not believe that he was the promised messiah. They questioned his authority.

Three years later, the chief priests and the elders of the Jewish people assembled to plot the arrest and death of Jesus. Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled as Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples. He was arrested the night of Passover, into the hands of the roman government. The Sanhedrin sent him to the governor of Judea, and Jesus was flogged. He was beaten, mocked, spit upon, and scorned. The people wanted him crucified.

My son had to bear the sins of all mankind. Every sin ever committed, and every sin that will ever be committed, was placed upon Jesus on the cross. He wiped out the written evidence of broken commandments which always hung over men's heads. He canceled the debt, which listed all the rules man failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross. Man would no longer have to work for forgiveness, but instead would be granted forgiveness by grace.

Christ gave up His Spirit on the cross. His blood was shed once and for all. Three days later, He rose to life from that tomb, as death could not hold Him down! Man was granted eternal life and the forgiveness of sins at that time. Satan no longer held the keys to death, but was defeated at the cross.

The record of your sin has forever been erased and forgotten through the blood of My Son, Jesus Christ.

How does a person receive this forgiveness of sins, and eternal life?

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that He was raised from the dead, you will be saved, and granted eternal life. You must confess your sins to Jesus, and repent of them. This means that you turn away from the sin. As you ask Him to live in your heart, and be Lord of your life, your sins are forgiven, and you become a new creation. Then your name will be written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Your name will be inscribed on the palm of My hand, as one of My own.

The blessed Holy Spirit, the Counselor, will seal you and live inside of your heart. He will teach you about Jesus, and help you to understand My word. He will pray for you and guide your life.

So it is each person's choice as to whether or not they will accept Christ?

Indeed, it is.

Why do You allow us to choose for ourselves, Lord?

Because Jesus loves you enough to let you choose, and I give you free will. You must realize that all choices have consequences, both good and bad.

What about those who reject Jesus, by not accepting Him or by ignoring Him? What happens to them?

They will not receive eternal life. When they die, they will be judged for their sins, and will spend eternity in hell. One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I am slow to anger, patient, and compassionate. I want for no one to perish.

I could not bear to be without You, Lord. I love You, and I am so grateful for You. I am not worthy of Your love or forgiveness, but I am so thankful for both.

And I love you, child.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Come to Me, just as you are. Come, let us talk about these things. Though your sins are like scarlet, they can be as white as snow. Though your sins are deep red, they can be white like wool.

Come.

From the heart of The Father God, and His daughter,

         Alison