March, 2005 Newsletter

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“Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your  soul, all your mind, and all your strength….’ ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mark 12:29ff)

It was not until my 21st birthday did I become a Christian. My life has never been more meaningful and joyful since Christ came into my heart. Growing up in Japan, I always wanted to know God but I didn't know how until a Christian friend guided me to receive Christ into my heart. The hymn that spoke much to me at that time was “At Calvary.” The first stanza of the hymn goes:

              Years I spent in vanity and pride,
              Caring not my Lord was crucified, 
              Knowing not it was for me He died On Calvary.
              Mercy there was great and grace was free,
              Pardon there was multiplied to me,
              There my burdened soul found liberty – At Calvary.

These words became even more meaningful to me when our church initiated the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign of spiritual growth last month. The hymn deduces that a life lived without God is “vanity and pride.” The fact is that we are spiritually blind to the vanity of life without Christ. Some would be wise to see life as King Solomon did—without God life is “vanity of vanity.” Only a humble person would admit that life without God is meaningless and void of eternal purpose.

Life is more than a simple pursuit of chasing one goal after another, achieving one project after another, or accumulating one toy after another. Someone said, “A person who possesses the most toys at the end wins.” Really? God has prescribed much more meaningful purposes for our lives in the Bible. And you can know them, when you receive Christ into your heart.

As we celebrate Easter the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, will continue to work in your heart to give meaning and purpose to your life. The Apostle Paul noted, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.” [Rom 8:11, NLT] The 40 Days of Purpose Campaign has challenged us to look at the five-fold purpose of God. God, who raised Jesus from the dead, can raise you from your dead-end circumstances to give your life purpose and meaning. He can raise you from your discouragement, your disillusionment, even your depression. This "Good News" is yours for the asking when you receive Jesus into your heart.

— Pastor Jim Sakurai

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