MIND OF CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.
PASTOR THOMAS E. OGLESBY
P.O. BOX 85
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY 07110
website: mindofchristministries.net
Phone: 973-818-2750
e-mail: mindofchrist@verizon.net
April 2022
“Jesus Is Alive”
Dear Believer(s):
As we approach Easter, let me remind you that I will be in special prayer on Easter Sunday Morning. Please get your prayer requests to me so that I will be able to pray for your special needs.
As we celebrate Easter, let me remind you that Jesus is not dead, but He is Alive. He is not on a cross. He is not in a grave. Jesus has risen from the dead.
As we read in the gospels of Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; and Luke 18:31-34, Jesus speaks a third time about his death. “Jesus took the disciple’s aside and said to them, “Listen! We are going to Jerusalem where everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of him, insult him, and spit on him. They will whip him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life. But the disciples did not understand any of these things; the meaning of these words was hidden from them, and they did not know what Jesus was talking about.”
We celebrate Easter. By declaring that Jesus has risen from the dead, and that He is alive. “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:2-6)
This Easter don’t just celebrate because of tradition but know in your heart that Jesus has risen, and because of His resurrection, God loves you. God made the total sacrifice for you. He had His Son to die so that we could live. It is important that we read the Word of God and know the truth. The Bible says in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The Jews were not responsible for the death of Christ. Our sins were responsible for His death. Jesus died that we might be forgiven of our sins, and that we might have eternal life. Jesus says in John 10: 17-18, “The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again. No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father has commanded me to do.” No man can kill the Son of The Living God. He was alive from the beginning. He is alive now, and He lives for evermore.
Even when Mary Magdalene told the disciples that she had seen Jesus after His resurrection, they did not believe her. Jesus later appeared to the disciples, and they were terrified. They thought that He was a ghost. But He said to them “Why are you afraid? Why are these doubts coming up in your minds?” He showed them His hands and feet. They still could not believe. They were so full of joy and wonder. Jesus ate with them in order to prove that He was alive and not a ghost. He reminded them that He had told them about His resurrection. He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and then told them that He must suffer, and must rise from death three days later. He told them the message of repentance, and that forgiveness of sins must be preached in His name to all nations, starting in Jerusalem. He explained to the disciples that they were witnesses to all of these things. He reminded them that He would send to them what His Father had promised. You must wait in the City of Jerusalem until the power from above comes down upon you. Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Jesus has risen from the dead. Many may point to science and themselves choosing not to believe in God’s Son. Others believe in other gods, man, money, and the things of the world. But I am saying to you believe in the Son of God. He died for our sins. He died that we may live always. He died that He might live within us. The power from above that Jesus spoke to His disciples about is the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is not dead in the tomb. We talk about what his resurrection means, and we sing about it. We have plays where we act out His crucifixion and resurrection. We preach and teach that Christ has risen. But what does Jesus’ Resurrection mean to you as a Christian?
Jesus’ death and resurrection has made it possible for the Spirit of God to live in us. Today, the same spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives within us. Paul wrote to the Church of Rome, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11) The very same Holy Spirit that we have received is the Spirit by which the Father raised up His Son from the dead.
Many today are doubters. Some feel that Jesus is still in the grave. If you want to feel His anointing, and give Him mighty praise, receive Him as your Savior. You will know for yourself that there is power in the name of Jesus. You will realize that there is Salvation in the name of Jesus. You will experience that there is healing in the name of Jesus. You will know without a doubt that there is no name above the name of Jesus. I tell you right now that Jesus is all you need. He will not only supply all your earthly needs but greater still; He will supply your spiritual needs.
Resurrection power is what Jesus wants you and I to have. What is resurrection power? It’s the same power or Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried, But the third day He arose. God sent Jesus to die for our sins, in order for believers to have eternal life. God loved us so much, that He had His only Son to die for us. and give us freedom from sin. John 3:16 says, “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.”
Jesus’ Resurrection means when He arose and went back to the Father, He sent a Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, to live within those of us who are believers.
As we celebrate this Easter Season and as we live each day, let’s remember what power we have within us. God’s anointing is so powerful. His miracles are happening every day. He loves us so much. Are you giving your problems to Him? Have you given your life to Him? God loves us and He cares. Give your life to Him. Live for God and He will surely bless you. God loves us so much; let’s accept His love. We cannot live in this evil world without Him and be successful. God says in His Word, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3John 2)
Whatever your needs are, whatever burden you are faced with today, Jesus is the answer. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 10). Jesus wants your life to be victorious. Accept Him and you will receive His promises.
Whatever problems you may be facing, you do not have to stand alone. Let me join with you by our praying to God for your answer. God loves you. I want you to know this. I want you to experience His anointing. It’s not too late. God will move for you. God is answering prayer today. Matthew 18: 19 says, “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Let’s you and I join together praying and believing God for the miracle that you need. Write or e-mail me with your prayer request. I want you to be richly blessed this, Easter. I want your life to be changed by Jesus’ resurrection. Don’t be deceived; God’s Son can change you and your circumstances. Let me stand with you, so write or e-mail me today.
Let’s pray: “DEAR GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SON’S RESURRECTION. WE REJOICE AS WE CELEBRATE THIS EASTER SEASON. LET THOSE WHO ARE BOUND BE SET FREE. LORD, LET THOSE WHO SEEK YOU FIND PEACE, JOY, LOVE, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. STRENGTHEN THOSE OF US WHO LOVE YOU. LET US BE WITNESSES FOR YOU NEAR AND FAR. WE REJOICE FOR ALL BELIEVERS’ AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE WE ARE ASKING TO BE SAVED. ALL PRAISE AND HONOR BELONGS TO YOU GOD! LORD, WE THANK YOU THAT JESUS HAS ENABLED US TO BECOME YOUR CHILDREN. WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN!”
I want to thank all of you who support this ministry regularly with your prayers and finances. Your giving enables me to continue the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I need your continued help. Remember what it says in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” I thank you for your help.
I pray the joy, peace, love, and happiness of God upon you, and your household this Easter Season.
Pastor Thomas Oglesby
