The photo I’ve chosen today is representaive of what’s going on in my life right now. It shows that joy can’t be hidden, even if the result is difficult for some to look at. You can’t stop joy from overflowing, when your heart is full of it. We’ve had one week since sharing the news of the Gospel and God’s redeeming grace and already there have been many attempts to take away the excitement – the freedom – the unshackling of the hold of sin. The world has seen to that. Still, as believers in Jesus and His mission on earth as Son of Man as well as Son of God, we should be bubbling over with enthusiasm for the amazing gift we’ve been given.

No amount of negative thinking, shame or guilt is going to blot out the joy unless we allow it to. My advice to everyone who wants to approach the rest of their lives with a positive attitude, is to turn to the Savior of the World. Jesus took on our guilt. He carried our shame to the cross. He buried our sins in the grave. He did that for every human life that ever existed or will come to be. That isn’t just good news for a few. It’s meant for all. How can one not be joyful about such a confidently completed mission?

Each day we drift away from that great news, we start to doubt what was done for us – what was sacrificed on our behalf – how nothing is required from us – just an unconditional love that cannot be described in human terms.

Our souls have been cleansed by the Son of God. We will continue to experience setbacks through our lives, but we have the promise of eternity in paradise, where our aging bodies will be restored to perfection. We are assured of life for eternity, free from sin and temptation and in divine communion with our Maker. Sing for joy and don’t stop!

ALLELUIAH! HE IS RISEN INDEED!