by Cynthia L Simmons | Apr 1, 2023 | Encouragement
The other day, I read the following by Heidi St. John, “The Gospel has been rejected by our government, the Word of God has been rejected by “woke” pastors and churches, and our nation has loosed itself from the moorings of God and His truth. The Bible tells us that God’s grace is what protects us and sustains us, and without His protection, we have no safety whatsoever. God has warned us that if we push Him away, we leave ourselves unprotected and vulnerable to the evils of the human heart and man’s fallen nature. The only answer to what’s happening in our nation is not more laws, and certainly not more control because laws cannot change the human heart. Only Jesus Christ can do that. So, we come to you oh Father God, and lift our voices and pray:
Father, we lift our hands and voices in praise for life and for the gift of eternal life. How we thank you that Jesus was willing to endure unfathomable suffering to purchase our redemption. He is risen. He is risen indeed! What wonderous words. May joy glow in our hearts as we celebrate his resurrection. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.
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by Cynthia L Simmons | Apr 1, 2023 | Encouragement
George Gartner got a free trip to Texas during World War II. He was serving in the German army in North Africa until US troops captured his unit. George and his friends received excellent food and enjoyed fair treatment in the rural POW camp.
When the war ended, he learned the army would send him back to his hometown in the part of Germany controlled by Russia. However, George preferred freedom, so he escaped by jumping on a train that passed the prison. He stayed with migrant workers until he could speak English well and act like other Americans. Finally, he chose a name, got a job, a driver’s license, and a wife. But, he kept his secret for years until his wife demanded to go overseas on vacation.
George couldn’t get a passport without a birth certificate and finally admitted his identity. Fortunately, the United States didn’t prosecute him. They said he left after the war ended, so he didn’t break any laws. He became a citizen, and George took his wife to visit his sister in Germany.
Just like George, we are outsiders, but we don’t need to keep our identity a secret or act like the world around us. As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, may God give us opportunities to share the good news.
