It’s Easter Sunday – Resurrection Day. A day that should give everyone hope because it’s the day when over 2,000 years ago Jesus rose from the dead to claim victory over death – the greatest victory, the most incredible comeback, mankind has ever witnessed. The Resurrection is what underpins the Christian faith and makes it unique. The Resurrection is an irrefutable fact of history, and it’s why Jesus is indeed the way, the truth and the life. And the same Spirit who allowed Him to conquer death can dwell in each one of us, if we so choose. That’s a message of hope for everyone this morning as we all face challenges in our lives. With Jesus, all things are possible, as scripture repeatedly states.
As investors, as exciting as it is to see our favorite stocks explode to the upside, or as gut-wrenching as it has been to experience the most recent severe decline in the resource sector, we should never let money or our stocks control our happiness or joy. And true happiness – peace and lasting joy – can only be found in our view by knowing God and serving Him through His son, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died on the cross and rose from the dead 3 days later on this day (Easter Sunday). He is risen, indeed. This is why we celebrate Easter. This day is not about the Easter bunny or chocolates or Easter egg hunts or enjoying a day off work. It’s about Jesus and what He did. He suffered and died for us at Calvary, out of His love and mercy for us, and actually conquered death. That is so powerful and should give hope to us all. Think about it.
Nothing is more important in our view than one’s relationship with God through Jesus. He is the creator of all things, including every mineral deposit we write about here at BMR, and He has also provided us, through His precious Word, all the guidance we need for our daily lives, including of course how we should approach the handling of money, investment matters and relationships – business and personal.
This special day is a great opportunity for each of us to put some time aside and reflect on what Easter Sunday is really all about and why we celebrate it. And draw closer to God in the process.
We wish all of our readers a very special and joyous Easter.
Below is Terry’s annual Easter Message.
Happy Easter From BMR!
At Christmas time Christians can be heard saying, “Jesus is the reason for the season” or “Keep the Christ in Christmas.” These sayings are clichés to remember that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a celebration that commemorates that God the Father sent his Son in the form of a baby to walk with and to teach His people about Himself. While this is very true, God had much bigger plans for His Son Jesus Christ when he sent Him in the form of a baby. In Jesus, God was creating a plan to have all His children (all humanity) reunited to himself.
When Adam and Eve sinned they were banished from God’s garden and no longer had community with God in the way He desired. Adam and Eve’s sin was only the beginning of humanity’s sins and all humanity has been sinning ever since, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 New International Version). Sin is no little matter in the eyes of God. In fact, there is only one punishment for sin and that is death, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23 NIV). There is no redemption for sin other than death without Jesus. God wanted to have relationship with His people but was unable due to their sin. They had chosen sin over God. They could do nothing as sinners to avoid the penalty of death. It was and is the destiny of sinners. It breaks God’s heart to have any of His children not have the ability to come to him and in this He devised a plan to have someone pay the death penalty for all of His children. God chose to have His Son pay that price.
If any of you are fathers or mothers, can you imagine sending your son or daughter to die? Mothers and fathers shelter their children from much less cruel things than that but God needed somebody that could pay that price and he chose His one and only son, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). Jesus paid in full the price for the sins of the world. With this His people now have full access to God. They can now approach the Heavenly Father.
Over 2,000 year ago, Jesus died a horrific death on the cross. His body was wrapped in cloth and placed in a burial cave. On the third day Jesus rose from the dead, defeated death, and went to sit at the right hand of God. Jesus has secured the eternal life of all that call on His name, all that believe in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He paid the price for your sins and will save you from spiritual death if you choose Him. Just as Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season, Jesus is also the reason for the Easter season.
This Easter BMR invites you to invite Jesus into your heart and accept His gift of life, His gift of salvation. It isn’t a complicated process. If you feel compelled to make a choice like this today or in the days to come just pray this simple prayer:
“Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to you that I am a sinner; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life. Amen.”
From my family to yours, Happy Easter.
Terry Dyer
Very nice message!! Happy Easter to the BMR team, and also to everyone on this site.
Comment by Greg J. — April 5, 2015 @ 9:05 am
He is risen indeed! Happy Easter everyone!
Comment by Roger — April 5, 2015 @ 1:56 pm
Terry and Jon, So many people associate Christmas with Santa and Easter with Bunny Rabbits.How sad that the world is forgetting the true meaning if both events being the Birth of Jesus and His Passion Death and Glories Reassertion.
Thank you for two lovely messages of hope and love. My close friend in Australia is a visionary and for those that may be interested please look up (zoltan-hardy web site)
Comment by Eddie — April 5, 2015 @ 3:03 pm