Hello ICC Family!
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT)
Before we returned to the U.S. two years ago, we had spent a decade living in Thailand. Known predominantly for its tourism, Thailand boasts a vibrant culture, exquisite cuisine, and some of the world's most stunning natural wonders. English is commonly spoken by those working in the tourism sector, making it a popular and affordable destination for a remarkable vacation. However, by 2020, the surge in popularity began to tarnish its tourism reputation, as overdevelopment started to impact the untouched beauty of the coastal areas.
This occurred just before the pandemic led to a widespread shutdown in the industry, resulting in the country being virtually closed to tourists for nearly two years. During this period, the economy suffered greatly. Many local Thais faced hardships, with numerous individuals returning to their ancestral villages. However, the beaches experienced a remarkable transformation. The sea life flourished anew and several overly developed tourist spots had the chance to rejuvenate. Laurel and I witnessed this firsthand during our stay in Phuket. The snorkeling experience was extraordinary. The ocean was impeccably clear, revealing vibrant fish and coral populations. It reminded me of how swiftly forests recover after a severe wildfire. Nature is indeed resilient and a source of life!
Now our spiritual lives are not like this at all - even though most people function like they are. There is no amount of personal effort that can cleanse us from our sin. If we try to ignore our sin and ignore our Creator God, He still exists and we are still guilty before him. If somehow we were able to go a couple of years without sinning, we would all still be spiritually dead in our sins. There is absolutely nothing that we can do to change our state ourselves. And that is why the verse above is so beautiful and life-changing! Because of God’s love and mercy, He raised his Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead so that we can be given new life! So that we can be born again!
For this reason we can sing the chorus of the wonderful song we sang last Sunday before Communion: Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free! Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me. You have broken every chain. There's salvation in Your name. Jesus Christ, my living hope!
Take a few minutes to be in awe of the Lord and to humbly thank him for his salvation today. Then take a few more minutes this evening to spend time with your brothers and sisters in followship and prayer this evening at 5:45/6:15. We would love to see you there!
Blessings to you all. And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
Commentaires