April's Message
by Pastor Dave Speicher

I recently received an email entitled “How To Stay Safe In The World Today.” It contains some interesting and humorous information about how to be safe.

1. Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents.
2. Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home.
3. Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians.
4. Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation.
5. Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in hospitals, SO, above all else, avoid hospitals.

BUT, you will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur during worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is in church!! AND, Bible study is safe too.

The percentage of deaths that occur during Bible study is even less. SO…for SAFETY’S sake…attend church and read your Bible. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!! Of course, I hope you want to attend church and read your Bible for more than just “safety’s sake”…that you want to do so because you want to encounter Jesus, the Son of God, and experience the peace and safety of God’s everlasting love and enduring mercy.

The safest place to be is always in the Presence of Almighty God. The Bible clearly tells us this is where we are kept safe. Proverbs 18:10 says: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Psalm 4:8 says: “…you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

During the Season of Lent, Holy Week and the celebration of Easter, we are reminded that Jesus came as God’s Son to show us that we can experience spiritual safety through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no guarantee we won’t encounter physical harm along life’s road but through Christ we can receive eternal life and experience a salvation that leads us to our Creator God and a home in heaven.

Ephesians 1:7 says: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 2:4-5 goes on to say: “…because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

Praise God, as we continue to be obedient to God and keep our faith fresh in Christ, we have a “blessed HOPE” that leads us to the ultimate safety of God’s Presence in heaven. It is all possible because Jesus came and lived, died, and rose again in triumph and victory for our eternal life. I look forward to celebrating the JOY OF SALVATION IN CHRIST with you in the weeks that are just ahead. See you Sunday.