He is Risen!

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
Just writing that makes me want to jump for joy! Why? Because I know that my Redeemer lives! HE LIVES!! The one who has pulled us up from the grave and washed our guilty stains away with His own precious blood has overcome sin's punishment, yes, even death itself! And for this we will praise  Him in eternity!

Our church service was a different type of sermon this morning. The pastor drifted from the common and normal passages and themes to address a question that we maybe have lost sight of the answer for. He posed the following question: What was the point of Christ death and resurrection?

Of course it was to cleanse us from our sins and to satisfy the wrath of our loving, yet just, God. But yet, what was the motive behind this?

The obvious answer is God's endless and abounding love for His children. However, there is a desire that runs parallel to this attribute. In the book of John, chapter six, verse forty, Jesus was speak about How He is the Bread of Life. He said this "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40 ESV). Jesus clearly states that His Father's will is that all believers should gain everlasting life with the Father and Son in Heaven. However, because there had been no atoning sacrifice, eternity the great Holy of Holies, or Heaven, was not possible.

God wants His followers, that had already passed on and who were yet to be born for generations to come, to be with Him in paradise for His glory. Christ death permitted that. He cried "it is finished" and the curtain was torn exposing the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle to anyone to enter, thus showing that His Son's death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice and sinful man's debt was paid and he could enter into the presence of his Maker.

Rejoice, fellow Christians, because God has made a way to Him through Jesus Christ, His only Son! Amen!
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Changing gears, you probably noticed that this is the first time the DC team has posted anything on this blog in over a year! We apologize for the inconsistency and are happy to announce that this Easter, to commemorate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, we are bring the Dedicated Christians blog back to life again as well!

Some of the original authors have moved on, but we are also bringing in new blood to give you a fresh perspective. We also want to give a big thank you and shout out to Josiah, the original administrator of this blog. He has moved on from this part of his life and is seeking the Lord where God has him now.  In his place, the other Matthew on the team, Master Matthew Wood, has stepped up to serve as administrator! I would also like to recognize the rest of the team that has been part of the posting in the past! They have offered so much to making this blog what is is! Thank you!

As I said, we will be enacting new authors, so it may be some time before we start getting back into a regular posting schedule, but we will be doing our best! If you desire to see this blog advance and are willing to help, we ask that you consider becoming an author. If you are interested, you can email the team at dedicatedchristians@gmail.com.

We look forward to presenting you with God's word as He speaks to our hearts through His Word!

Have a blessed Easter and remember to rejoice in The Lord always for HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Matt Dustin for Dedicated Christians

~The Challenge~

Over the last ten days we have been discussing the ten commandments laid out in Exodus 20.  I want to summarize something very important in this post, one I hope all of you will read and ponder.

Through going over these commandments, all of us have seen areas we have failed in.  Failed by doing, or by not doing something.  But, through all of this we may never reach the heart of the issue. Where will you spend your eternity? How can you know?

I personally do not know all of you who are reading this now.  But I honestly care about you and where you will spend eternity. I am pretty sure if I ask you if you would sell one of your eyes for a million dollars, you would say no. Why is that?

That is because your eye is precious to you. How much more precious is your soul?

One of the standards God has set for us are the Ten Commandments.  By looking at these we can see our true sin.  Have you ever told a lie?  Have you ever dishonored your parents?  The Bible says that whoever breaks one of his commandments is guilty of the whole (James 2:10). We are wretched sinners, and all deserve hell and damnation before God.

Nothing we can do will reconcile us to Him, neither will any amount of worship or promising you will never do it again. If you are in a court of law and you have stolen millions of dollars, you might appeal to the judge saying, “But judge, I promise I will never steal again, ever!” If you do that, he may feel compassionate towards you, but still, a just judge, had to sentence you according to what you have done.

Since we have established there is nothing we can do on our own to attain salvation, we need to look at Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. When He died on the cross, He took our sins upon Himself so that we could reconcile ourselves to God.

Mouthing a prayer and saying you are saved will not save you.  There are two things you must do to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  Repent and Trust.

Trusting in Jesus Christ includes faith. Believing in Him and what He has done on the Cross.

The other part is that you need genuine repentance. You are sorry you have broken God’s law and want forgiveness since there is absolutely nothing you can do on your own. If you then truly believe that Jesus died for your sins and is the Lord of your life, you will become a true born again Christian.

So let me challenge you all today.  If you have not already, repent, and trust in the Lord.  Through that, you will find the True Light, Jesus Christ, and make Him your Lord and Savior.

If you have any questions, the Dedicated Christian team will be happy to help in any way the Lord enables us.  Please email us at dedicatedchristians@gmail.com.

God Bless,
Matthew