Easter At Paver's Nest

John 11: 25, 26. (NKJV)"...I Am The resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

II Timothy 2:16, 17(NIV)...May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

What is Your Hope Built On?

By Vickie G. Paver

My husband and I have been to the mall several times this month. The first time we went we saw shelves stacked high with jellybeans, chocolate bunnies, and marshmallow peeps. The Easter lilies, chrysanthemums and Easter lawn decorations were all lined up in twenty-foot rows. Easter lights were available to make trees and bushes glow with pastel yellows, blue and rose. The stores offered photographs with Easter Bunny backdrops and egg shaped seats. I soon found myself all wrapped up in chocolates, glitz and glitter. Each time we went to the mall my desire for all the scrumptious treats increased. Finally, just a few days ago I practically ran to the candy isle! The sweet smell of chocolate was over powering--- I departed the candy isles quickly!

Then it was on to racks of Easter garb---after all I could not enter the church doors without being all decked in Easter dress. I went right to the beautifully beaded suits and decorative dresses---costing more than I could afford. I looked at expensive peach and cream sweaters, all soft and inviting. I suddenly got depressed! I was caught up in the glitz and glitter once again! I decided not to buy anything, feeling guilty for all my greed. But my husband, wise and full of common sense---insisted that I look for something modest in price, not out of our financial range. I did buy an outfit more sensible and useful. I still was slightly upset that I let myself get carried away by greed and really did not find much joy in choosing just the right outfit.

As I began to think about the real reason for our Easter celebration, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I once again became full of hope! That hope is in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, Redeemer and coming King. He died and rose so that we might live with Him eternally. He bridged the gap between God and man. He is the lamb, who shed His blood to wash away our sin. He loves us so much. He died for me that I might live!!! My focus is back on Him. I know He understands that as humans we are many times tempted to look at all the glitz that this world has to offer, but He truly is the only one that can satisfy. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with Easter candy, egg hunts and Easter clothes. What I am saying is that our focus as Christians needs to be on Christ our Lord because things do not give us what we need, it is our relationship with God.

I continue to think about Christ’s gift of salvation to me and am reminded of an old hymn we often sang, and still sing in our church, "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less." May God give us the strength to always trust in Him and focus on Him.

This hymn was written by Edward Mote (1797-1874). Tune (Solid Rock) by William Bradbury

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

Easter Links

The Road to Hope (Many devotionals)	Easter is For the Lamb of God
Annie's Easter Symbols and Meanings	Annie's Easter Welcome
The Eternal Praise of Easter	Barb's Entourage---Christ is Risen
'Twas the Night Before Easter	The Pain That Mary Felt
When there is Nothing to Wear...	Bible Shape Books
Treasure Hunter	His Promise
Georgia's Ukrainian Recipes	Take My Hand

Visit Georgia's Ukrainian Easter Egg page. An excellent explanation of the symbols and colors of Easter---you won't want to miss this page--HONEST!!! A very encouraging page.

His Gift Was Love

His gift was love,

His mission, Release,

His promise, Life

His legacy, Peace.

---Helen Steiner Rice

E-mail comments to: vpaver@paversnest.com

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