ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER@

This oil pastel gives the impression of an oasis – a place of rest and refreshment. Nestled within the mountains in the background and surrounded by pine trees, sits a small body of water that will bring refuge and revival. We’ve heard a lot about revival these past few weeks, especially since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. According to the media our nation is returning to church, praying and digging into the Word of God, the Bible. This is a good thing – right? What does it take to get people to come back to God and His teachings and His will for our lives? Is it murder, assassination, hatred, sin of any kind, confusion, chaos and crime? What more can the devil throw at us before we turn back to God? Our journey on this planet is not going to be easy. Jesus told His followers what was ahead for them if they believed in Him and trusted that He was indeed the Son of God.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 ESV

Those words carry great weight. Following God will bring criticism, anger, frustration, attacks, unbelief and maybe even your life. Think about the price Christ paid for us on the cross. By the time He reached the cross, He was already bleeding profusely. The Roman Scourge was designed to cut through flesh and make the beating as painful as possible. As he carried the weight of His cross through the streets, He was spat upon, ridiculed and humiliated. Yet He pressed on even as insects infested His wounds. He did that so we would gain eternal life and God’s protection here on earth. He died, as we will die. Yet, on the third day He came back to life as we will also do when we follow Him.

The Jesus narrative isn’t new. It usually comes when people have had it with society, government morality and any number of things. Returning to Christ is easy, but staying with Him often gets lost in the shuffle. This should be a lifetime commitment, which begins in the family and continues through adolescence into middle age and finally as we become senior citizens.

The course will not be easy, but so worth it. If you are confused right now and not sure what to believe, I urge you to start reading the Bible. Visit a church and make sure they are preaching the truth. Study with other Christians. Lean on each other, but don’t forget to pray. The LORD wants to hear from everyone. His door is open 24/7. He loves you so much that He died for you. Do not be led astray by false teaching. The Gospel gives us hope for the future, but the law is necessary, so we know how much we need a Savior. Christ fulfilled the law for us and freely gave His life so we would receive His kingdom.

THANK YOU, JESUS FOR ANOTHER DAY!