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 2023
“WHAT DOES EASTER MEAN TO YOU?”
Main Scripture for Message-Luke 24:6-7
“He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
Dear Believer(s):
Easter is one of the most celebrated dates on the Christian Calendar. Many weeks before Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, commercialism can already be seen in many forms and shapes through the advertising and selling of all kinds of merchandise.
Many Christians celebrate the period leading up to Easter with special times of fasting, prayer, and sacrificing. Others repent with full realization of the sin or wrong they have committed toward other individuals and God. Still others are very sorrowful over having sinned or having done wrong and have a will to change their ways.
What is Easter really about? It is about the Love that God has for His people. Let’s look at John 3:16. It 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.” God’s Son died so that we might have all of the eternal blessings that God has for us. We are able to live forever because of the death of Jesus. We can have a holy and righteous relationship with God because of His Son’s death. There is more that God has made possible for us. Because of the death and resurrection of His Son, we can receive Jesus as our personal Savior. We can have God live in us. What does this mean? Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, God resides in us. The Holy Spirit is and can be alive in us. In John 14: 16-18 Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (or another Comforter).” Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit. Then He continues, “that he may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans (or, I will not leave you comfortless); I will come (again) to you.” Jesus said, “I am leaving, but I will come again.” However, you see, when He left this earth, it was in His limited, human form; but when He returned it was in His unlimited form as the HOLY SPIRIT.
We are living in a time when we are faced with unbelievable pressures and stress. Sometimes our minds and bodies are almost totally overcome by the difficult situations of life. Jesus knew that we would face situations and times as these. This is why He sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to us. The Holy Spirit was not only sent to be Our Comforter but He was also sent to give us power. In Acts 1:8 Jesus declared, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Power to be witnesses and power to enable us to do what God has created us to do. True Christians are not helpless or powerless. We have God living in us to direct. us, to guide us, and to teach us. We must yield to God who resides in us. God sent His Spirit to be our direct communication link with Him.
I want you to understand that Jesus is not dead but alive. He was resurrected so that we might be resurrected from the dead or a life of sin. Darkness or satan no longer binds us. We live because of God’s love for us. This is why we should celebrate Easter. It should not be some type of ritual or tradition for the sake of men and that it seems like the thing to do. We should celebrate because we are God’s people, and He lives in us. We should celebrate because we are committed to doing His spiritual work, and the work that He has called us to do. We should celebrate because we are members of His family and are entitled to all of His benefits. We should rejoice because we have power to tear down the strongholds of the devil.
Easter should not be about a new dress or new suit, going to Church only on Easter Sunday for several hours and then returning to a life of sin. It should not be about giving up some physical activity or not eating a certain type of food or dessert for a period of time. It should be about spiritual commitment to “Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy. 6:5)
This entails asking God, “What can I do to please you Lord? What can I do to bring glory to you? What would you have me to do to build up your kingdom?” Remove from me permanently all hindrances that keep me from being obedient and honoring you.
Easter should be a time of rejoicing. Rejoicing about the fact that Jesus is alive and living in you and that He has enabled us to live eternally. It should be a time of glorying God because He has given us power over sickness, lack, emotional hurt and hate. We should be spiritually excited about the fact that God has given us, PEACE, JOY, HOPE and LOVE. We should give Him thanks because He picks us up when we fall. He forgives us when we make mistakes, and He will never forsake us. I get happy and excited when I think about all of these things.
I want to share the Joy of Easter with you. If you have a problem or difficult situation that has you burdened, please write to me and let’s stand together as we ask God not only to solve your problem but also to renew your life in Him. God will not fail you. He will answer your prayer, change you, and give you, His love. Easter is one of the times that I spend in special prayer for all of those on our mailing list. If you have a special need, please write and I will lift that need up to God during this special time of prayer.
I want to thank all of the individuals who support this ministry prayerfully and financially each month. It is so gratifying to see how you are helping me to make a difference in people’s lives through the power of God. We must always give God all of the glory. God is blessing those who sow seeds into good ground for the purpose of doing His work I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your help. The Bible says in, 2Corinthians 9:6-9 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.”
Please join me in a special prayer of Thanks at Easter Time: “Heavenly Father, we thank you for all things. We know that you are a Good God. We feel and see the goodness of your love each day of our lives. We thank you for family, friends, and enemies. We ask you to use us for Kingdom Building. Let us be mindful to serve you in every area of our lives. We thank you in advance for the prayers we are going to pray which will be answered. Today, Lord, we come asking for nothing, but we honor you by thanking you for all situations that we are faced with. Because we know you will bring us though. We rejoice that today we are celebrating not only Jesus’ resurrection, but it is our resurrection also. We love you Jesus. We pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!”
He Is Alive!!!
Pastor Thomas Oglesby
Pastor Thomas Oglesby
