Faith, Hope, and Peace Ministries
                432 S Washington St   Westmont, IL  60559
                630.710.0396          cdc33@att.net
                           Welcome!
             We Worship Every Tuesday at 10:00 AM
                      Devotion for April 10, 2018
       "He is risen!  He is risen indeed!"  This traditional greeting is used in 
       Lutheran churches on Easter Sunday morning.  The words carry a great deal
       of significance for us and for our salvation.  Paul says, "And if Christ has not 
       been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." –1Corinthians 
       15:14.
       I was listening to the radio the other day and heard a Christian speaker say 
       that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is absolutely essential to the claims of 
       Jesus and the truth of our faith.  It is the resurrection that gives meaning to 
       the forgiveness earned on the cross on Good Friday.  It is the resurrection 
       which promises life eternal in heaven with Jesus.  It is the resurrection which
       gives evidence to the appearance of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.  All of 
       Christianity hinges on this one event.
       The speaker went on to say that if the disciples had invented the Christian 
       faith, they would not have selected a bodily and physical resurrection as the 
       lynch pin for their claims of Jesus as Lord.  Their claims about the 
       resurrection of the body would be easily proven false if the body or bones of 
       Jesus were discovered somewhere.  If the disciples had been peddling a 
       fraud, they would have been much wiser to claim a spiritual resurrection 
       only, which could not be dis-proven by any physical evidence.
       It is interesting to note that among the recent attacks on Christianity was one
       on this key truth of the resurrection.  A Hollywood producer, James Cameron,
       contended that a recently-discovered Jewish ossuary, a burial container, 
       held the bones of Jesus and thus proved that Jesus was buried and never 
       resurrected.  Scientists from around the globe found that the evidence was 
       unconvincing and did not refute the disciples’ claim that Christ is risen.
       In fact, Paul speaks of the people who saw the resurrected Christ.  In 
       1Corinthians 15, Paul writes "that he was buried, that he was raised on the 
       third day according to the scriptures and that he appeared to Peter and then 
       to the twelve.  After that he appeared to five hundred of the brothers at the 
       same time…. Then he appeared to James…. and last of all he appeared to 
       me also, as to one abnormally born." –(15:4-8)
       So on Easter Sunday morning and during the weeks after Easter, we will use
       this traditional greeting to testify to the most significant event in all of human 
       history—the resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and our Savior. "He is risen!  He 
       is risen indeed!"
       Prayer: O Lord, you have searched me and know me.  You know me 
       when I am sitting down and resting and when I am up and about each 
       day.  You know when I have sinned and disobeyed your will and word.  
       And you know when I have lifted you up and brought honor and glory 
       to you with my words and actions.  Each morning may I begin my day 
       with praise and thanksgiving on my lips.  And each evening may I be 
       granted your forgiveness and your abiding presence as I look for 
       restful sleep.  Whether I am awake or asleep I ask you to watch over me
       and care for me, your very own child. Amen.
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       The weekly worship services conducted by Lutheran Pastors and coordinated through 
       Faith, Hope and Peace Ministries (a 501(c)3 organization as recognized the Internal 
       Revenue Service) are provided at no cost to the attendees or the hosting facilities. 
       Contributions to support this ongoing ministry may be made to "Faith, Hope and 
       Peace Ministries" and sent to: 432 S. Washington Street, Westmont, IL 60559
        We are thankful for your support helping continue this meaningful
                          ministry!
                 Visit our web site www.fhpministries.org
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