More from Easter with the P's

Some more photos taken by Dad & Mom:

O.Evert, Chris, Krista, T.Marian, Tony, Theresa

like mother, like daughter

Rachel whipped up an activity table-cloth for the kid's table - fun!

Looks like you all had a good time. I missed you all!

Easter Continues

Easter has come and gone but its glorious message remains!

God-in-the-flesh suffered & died a cursed death

to pay a debt we could not pay

and conquering death, He rose again

so that those who are united to Christ by faith

could die to sin and rise with Him

to new life now and forever!

What a plan! What amazing grace and wonderous love! Oh that all our loved ones would come to Him in humble repentance and faith to be united to Christ, made new and enjoy Him forever - for "worthy is the Lamb that was slain"!

There's some great Easter, Exodus, Gospel messages by Rev. Harry Zekveld from Luke 22 etc here.

A new book out for young people wondering what its all about: Is it really true? What does it matter? is called Jesus, Dead or Alive by Sean & Josh MacDowell. A great read!

Jesus Loved me and Gave Himself for me - May each one be able to say that from your heart

Jesus suffered and died...

To Show His Own Love For Us (by John Piper)

The death of Christ is not only the demonstration of God’s love (John 3:16), it is also the supreme expression of Christ’s own love for all who receive it as their treasure.

The early witnesses...were captured by this fact: Christ “loved me and gave Himself for me”(1). They took the self-giving act of Christ’s sacrifice very personally. They said, “He loved me. He gave Himself for me.”

Surely this is the way we should understand the sufferings and death of Christ. They have to do with me. They are about Christ’s love for me personally. It is my sin that cuts me off from God, not sin in general. It is my hard–heartedness and spiritual numbness that demean the worth of Christ. I am lost and perishing. When it comes to salvation, I have forfeited all claim on justice. All I can do is plead for mercy.

Then I see Christ suffering and dying. For whom?

It says, “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her”(2).

“Greater love has no one than this that someone lays down his life for his friends”(3).

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many”(4).

And I ask, Am I among the “many”?
Can I be one of His “friends”?
....
And I hear the answer:

“Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name”(5).

“To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God”(6).

“Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”(7).

[Will] I embrace the beauty and bounty of Christ as my treasure…and...say ”He loved me and gave Himself for me”?

...He paid the highest price possible to give me the greatest gift possible:...the gift He prayed for at the end of His life: “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory” (8).

In His suffering and death “we saw His glory...glory that the Father shares with His only Son, a glory full of grace and truth”(9)

....But the best is yet to come [in heaven]. He died to secure this for us. That is the love of Christ.


Excerpts from The Passion of Jesus Christ (now Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die), John Piper, 2004. (Crossway Books, IL) Ch.6, p.30-31.
www.desiringGod.org

References from the Holy Bible (English Standard Version).
1. Galatians 2:20
2. Ephesians 5:25
3. John 15:13
4. Matthew 20:20
5. Acts 10:43
6.John 1:12
7. John 3:16
8. John 17:24
9. John 1:14 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

If you can't say that for yourself, ask to God to show you your need for a Saviour and His amazing love for you. And we'd be thrilled to help if you contact us!