We celebrated EASTER SUNDAY, victory in Jesus over sin and death. In 2018 Jeremy Sutcliffe killed a rattlesnake in his backyard, cutting off its head. He got a plastic bag, and when he picked-up the head, the snake closed its fangs in his hand. A helicopter rushed him to a hospital where he received antivenom that saved his life. The ER doctor told Jeremy that decapitated snakes can bite for up to an hour. Jesus decapitated satan at Calvary, but the old serpent still strikes. In John 10:10 Jesus tells us that the thief comes to KILL. Stay clear of his deadly bite by staying in the Word.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:22 that Christ SEALED us and gave us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a deposit. Imagine a fruit bar inside a protective wrapper. Once opened and left exposed, the bar begins to decay. However, if the bar is sealed in a zip-lock bag, the sweet fruit is preserved. Jesus has sealed our soul, preserving us from the rot of sin. 2 Timothy 2:19, Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those that are His.”

As a boy I wanted more freedom of choice. My mom would say, “You’re acting too big for your britches” meaning act your age. When we’re too big for our britches, the answer is not bigger britches, its fitting into the size we have. It takes time to grow up. The best growth comes from the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching , for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness.”

Psalm 1:7 ” . . . fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Today is April Fools: Tricks played on others that are based on a lie. As a young husband and father, I played April Fool pranks on my family. My father-in-law once called my wife the night before to warn her, but I still pulled it off! Then it all changed when I was on the receiving end. We were at a beach rental during Spring Break, and told not to flush the hallway toilet or it would flood the condo. One morning my youngest daughter in a panic told me she forgot and flushed that toilet. I ran to the toilet and while bent over, my family yelled, “April’s Fool”. After my blood pressure returned to normal, I promised no more tricks. Don’t be fooled by fakers.

In Proverbs 28:2 , King Solomon points out that with sensible government leaders there is stability. On 12/6/18 NASA launched a space shuttle with experimental worms to study the human aging process. Seriously? Spending tax dollars when faced with what would become the longest government shut-down in U. S. history. Thousands of unpaid federal employees could have used those funds to feed their families and pay bills. What’s in your wallet?

Hebrews 4:12, “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword . . .” In 1921, a New York doctor, Evan O’Neill, operated on himself. Using a local anesthetic, he removed his inflamed appendix. The surgery was successful. In like manner, we need soul surgery. Using the scalpel of Scripture (Sword of the Spirit), we can remove the deadly disease of sin.

Charles “Chuck” Colson was Attorney General for President Nixon. He was sentenced to prison for his part in the WATERGATE scandal. Chuck came to Christ while in jail, and upon his release, formed a prison ministry. While visiting inmates, he noticed one man in an unclean cell in the fetal position. Chuck shared the gospel with the man, and told him to say aloud the name of Jesus daily. Upon his return visit, Chuck noticed the man’s cell was clean. When asked about the change, the man replied, “Jesus lives here now.”

Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

A news company reported a human interest story about a 69 year old lady who used her DNA to identify her birth mother. She discovered the name and address of a cousin who informed her that her mom was 88 years old and living in a nursing home. Their reunion was tearful as her mom shared that she had been told her daughter was still-born, and for almost seven decades, believed her only child was dead. There was no mention of a criminal investigation; but you can be sure satan was at work. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

John Winthrop, Governor, Massachuetts Bay Colony, in a letter to his church, wrote, “We must delight in each other; make the conditions of others our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together as members of the same body, to keep unity in the bond of peace.” The lyrics of a Christmas song, “Peace on earth, goodwill to man” will be a reality when the Prince of Peace returns. Until then, let us claim Ephesians 3:14, “For He is our peace.”

Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil . . .”      Last week I wrote about the record recession of 2008; major money loss caused by misconduct in the investment industry. In 2009, in an effort to restore investor confidence, Harvard Business School adopted the MBA Oath. Graduates pledged “to act with the utmost integrity, to resist decisions and behavior that advance my own narrow ambitions, and work in a manner that enhances the value my enterprise can create for society over the long term.” I wonder how many grads have actually kept that oath. Invest wisely.

Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Numbers 22:28, Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me three times?”  When America’s Beloved Gospel Singer, George Beveraly Shea, was invited to speak at an event, he asked his dad for advice. His father replied, “Son, God helped Balaam’s donkey to talk, I’m sure He can do the same for you.” When we are given the opportunity to talk, ask God for help; His Holy Spirit will give us His words.

Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

In 2005 my wife Mary Ann was diagnosed with cancer. I posted signs in our home that read: Too Blessed to be Stressed. Following surgery, she underwent months of radiation treatments. Today she is cancer free! We were shocked to learn that her surgeon lost her life to cancer. In the same way a surgeon removes cancer cells, Doctor Jesus, the Great Physician, performs spiritual surgery to remove a deadly disease, sin. Hebrews 9:6, He came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.