15/04/2025
DEVOTIONAL BELLS ARE RINGING
Many years ago, a little village in Austria was about to be taken by Napoleon’s conquering army. It was Easter morning. At dawn the bells of the village pealed out across the countryside, celebrating that Christ was risen. A startled Napoleon thought the bells were celebrating the arrival of the Austrian army and so he retreated in haste. A victory was won without even fighting a battle. Peace reigned in the countryside.
During Easter, the bells are ringing again, celebrating the fact that Christ has risen. We do not have Napoleon’s army threatening us, but we struggle from without and from within. Battles that often make us feel defeated.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23
The cause or the sting of death is sin. Through Christ we have the final victory over death. No one can take this victory away from us or from Jesus. Christ defeated the power of darkness, the power of Satan by which we were subjected to it. Christ paid the price! We do not need to fear the future. The proof that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient to overcome death, is seen in his resurrection.
Christ is risen! Are we joyfully celebrating the victory that we have won in Christ not just during this Easter season, but each day of our life? Or are we still living a life of discouragement and defeat?
Prayer
Thank you, God, that we can already be resurrected to a new life here on earth NOW! We celebrate that because Christ rose, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. You give all who believe in you a new heart. You gave us power to overcome. May our vision of Christ continue to expand our thoughts and hearts. Amen.
Santiago Lange, Pastor, Germany.
Comment:
Sadly, Santiago passed away last week. We thank him for his many years of service to the body of Christ and pray for God's comfort at this time. Thank you Santiago, you will be greatly missed.
