Page 39 - Robeson Living Spring 2021

row way. He lives, he lives, Salvation to impart. You ask me helpless. The Christ of the Cross and the empty tomb, is fully
how I know he Lives. He lives, within my heart. capable of giving new life to anyone who by faith, will ask
for it. As Christ found new life after the cross, you too can
To those who reject the claims of Christianity, the whole find new life in Him. If you cannot point to a time in your
idea of a dead man suddenly being raised to new life and past when you intentionally gave your life to him, then today
later seen walking around the community, talking, eating, can be the beginning of a new life. A Better life. A life com-
and having fellowship with others, as though nothing had pletely free from the guilt of past mistakes. It is all yours.
taken place, is a little more than the natural mind can receive. for the asking. Its as simple as ABC. Admit your need. Be-
Fortunately for me, I was raised in a Christian home where lieve in your heart that Salvation is provided in the work of
the resurrection story has always been a part of my life. the cross. Confess your decision before the world. Whosever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
An empty tomb takes us to a graveyard where the final rites
are given to someone who has been alive but has now passed Pastor Charles P Locklear
away. It also represents a new beginning in that the one who Bethany Christian Fellowship, Pembroke, NC
was given final rites has now been given new opportunity Director, Morning Star Ministries
for life again. Its proof that the grave is not the final act in www.morningstar-ministries.com
the story of a man. As Christians we believe that it is in fact [email protected]
the beginning of a better existence. We believe our best life Facebook: Charles Locklear
is beyond the grave. Our hope is built upon the fact that it (910)734-8795
was declared over 2,000 years ago He is not here, He is risen
from the dead, just like he said.

The value of the resurrection does not begin when we too
have gone the way of the dead. The very moment we receive
the Gospel message we experience new life in Christ. Count-
less are the souls that, having come to experience a hopeless
life, heard the good news of the Gospel, and were convinced
that by giving what was left to Him, discovered its possible
to be happy, contented and fulfilled, even in this world that
is consumed by sadness, despair, and hopelessness. Many
are those who have, because of bad choices and bad deci-
sions, reaped a miserable and wretched life and then were
presented the story of the living savior, then chose to receive
Him as Lord, discovered a brand-new life. Such was my ex-
perience almost 50 years ago. I was raised in the Church by
Godly parents but because of my own choices I was a sad
and miserable young man. I knew there was a better life pos-
sible. I had never doubted the power of the Gospel to change
my life for the better. But at the age of 18, after having heard
the gospel again, I asked the Living savior to come into my
heart and make something good out of my broken life. And
because he Lives, He heard my prayer, and now I can hon-
estly say, that because of an empty grave, I have a full and
meaningful life.

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the only hope for those who come to the end of themselves
and realize that the life they are now living is hopeless and 296 Henry Hammond Road, Lumberton, NC, 28360
Phone 910-671-0482
Robeson Living ~ Spring 2021