Brown's Daily Word 4-27-11

Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this last Wednesday of April. It was a summer-like day yesterday, with the temperature reaching into the mid-eighties. We will gather for our mid-week fellowship and study this evening at 6 PM.
We are living in the afterglow of Easter. Paul met the Risen Savior. His life was radically transformed by the Risen Lord. He passed on to life from death. He wrote "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
Death is clearly the strongest predator on the face of the earth, relentlessly tracking down each victim, catching and wrestling him down to the rot and mire of the grave! Death is seen day and night going to and fro throughout the earth stalking his prey. He is seen lurking in the shadows, with the souls of men in his grasp. He is the terror of the night, who plays no favorites and is not prejudiced: He leaps upon young and old, man, woman, and child alike.
THE THE DAY DEATH DIED WASTHE DAY CHRIST AROSE FROM THE GRAVE!!!

"Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph oe’r His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose, He arose, HALLELUJAH, Christ Arose!!
The day Christ arose from the grave, Death (for the Christian) died. Scripture tells us:
- I am He that liveth and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore ... and have the keys of hell and death. (Revelation 1:18)
- And having spoiled principalities and powers, he make a show of them openly triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:15)
- ... Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory!!

Death need hold no more terror in our lives, for Christ "Tasted of Death" for us, and triumphed over it on that First Easter Morning. That first Easter morning will ever be know as THE DAY DEATH DIED!!!!
MAX LUCADO, in his book, "Six Hours One Friday", told the story of a missionary in Brazil who discovered a tribe of Indians in a remote part of the jungle. They lived near a large river. The tribe was in need of medical attention. A contagious disease was ravaging the population. People were dying daily.
A hospital was not too terribly far away—across the river, but the Indians would not cross it because they believed it was inhabited by evil spirits. To enter the water would mean certain death. The missionary explained how he had crossed the river and was unharmed. They were not impressed. He then took them to the bank and placed his hand in the water. They still wouldn’t go in. He walked into the water up to his waist and splashed water on his face. It didn’t matter. They were still afraid to enter the river. Finally, he dove into the river, swam beneath the surface until he emerged on the other side. He punched a triumphant fist into the air. He had entered the water and escaped. It was then that the Indians broke out into a cheer and followed him across.
That’s exactly what Jesus did! He told the people of His day that they need not fear the river of death, but they wouldn’t believe. He touched a dead boy and called him back to life. They still didn’t believe. He whispered life into the body of a dead girl and got the same result. He let a dead man spend four days in a tomb and then called him out and the people still didn’t believe Him. Finally, He entered the river of death and came out on the other side. No wonder we celebrate the Resurrection!
In Christ,
Brown
This video is from Lebanon/ Easter Morning.
http://youtu.be/o0ZS9o6NLnM



Saturday evening worship service.
Location: First United Methodist Church
53 McKinley Avenue
Endicott
Sponsored by the Union Center United Methodist Church, 128, Maple Drive, Endicott

Saturday, April 30, 2011
5 PM Indian Buffet at the First UMC, Endicott
6 PM Coffee Fellowship

6:30 PM Worship Service
Worship Music: Laureen Naik, Emma Bronson
Speaker: Rev Bill Turner