Dear Calvary and Friends, 

 

Join me this week in fasting during this Holy Week from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, as we prepare ourselves to remember and honor the death and sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us on the cross and to celebrate His resurrection defeating Hell and the grave.   This is a sacred and holy time for Christians.  Let us not rush through this week in anticipation of the good food and fellowship that we will enjoy with friends and family.  Let us walk through this week remembering and reflecting on each step and event that our savior lived through asking God to give us insight and revelation that we would come to understand and appreciate what our Savior did and went through on our behalf.  May this week bring you closer to Him and may you see and experience the love and glory that He has bestowed upon you through His life, death, and resurrection. 

 

As we move into the days, weeks, and months after Easter, I encourage you to live out the resurrection message in your daily life, finding new ways to serve and love, and embracing the hope and joy of Christ's risen life.   Remember, Easter is not just a one-day event but a constant source of inspiration, revival, and renewal for our everyday lives.  Our faith should not center around just attending worship on Sundays or meetings, but it should be about actively living as disciples of Christ in our private thoughts, our lives with our families, on our jobs, when we are on the bus, hanging out with friends, at a game, in everyday conversation, etc.   Each day, I implore you to seek God’s guidance and make yourselves open to the Holy Spirit’s leading.  Remember no matter what you may be experiencing in your everyday life be intentional about finding hope, strength, and joy in Christ’s resurrection.  

 

There will be some who will live through Holy Week and Easter and go on about their lives as usual, little will change in their lives.  Don’t make that your choice.  The blessed and wonderful news is that you can live out your resurrected life in Christ through your personality, gifting, hobbies, etc.   If you are in the food industry, serve your customers well and make extra for those in need.  If you are a teacher, pray over your students every night.  If you are a lawyer, speak with truth and love.  If you are a mother or father, share God’s message with your children through words and actions.  Seek every opportunity to bless others and pray for them.   Embrace and seek after an authentic life in Christ where you will work each day to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  And whenever you think that this is asking too much of you, remember what Christ did on the cross for you.  After all, you never know who will be in heaven because you truly lived out the Great Commission.  

 

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 6:15)

 

Pastor John R. Walton, Jr.