As Easter comes around, we see signs of new life all around us. We’ve had a very dry year and this little bit of rain has caused fields to green up and even bluebonnets are blooming. The hummers are back, and we have baby chicks hatching all over the barn. New signs of life and birth. Isn’t that what Jesus has promised us? A new life, and a new birth. He called it being “born again.”

People give up something during the forty days of Lent before Easter, and if it’s something you eat or drink every day, you begin to feel the suffering after about a week to ten days, and by the time thirty days has passed you really feel the impact, and you still have ten more days to go!

Well, consider a new expression of love. For instance, if you did not make a personal sacrifice and give up something for Lent, how about reading a chapter a day out of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John?

If you already read your bible regularly, how about putting more emphasis on the Words of Christ Jesus by first reading a parable or passage from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, and then your daily reading.

If you have a special time of day for prayer, consider singing praise to Jesus by learning the words to "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus," or "Abide With Me." Read through a song book, and find a song that is actually addressing our Lord, by speaking directly to Him; one that touches your heart and makes you cry. That's the one to memorize and sing to Him every day.

Since He knows our hearts, He'll know we are seeking Him.

“21 God would surely have known it,

for he knows the secrets of every heart.” Psalm 44:21

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, if He dwells in us.

“14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

Those of us who call ourselves Christians need to "get back to the basics", and the basic (or base) is actually the foundation, and that's Jesus Christ.

“14 Therefore, listen to this message from the Lord,

you scoffing rulers in Jerusalem.

15 You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death

and have made a deal to dodge the grave.

The coming destruction can never touch us,

for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.”

16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,

a firm and tested stone.

It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.

Whoever believes need never be shaken.” Isaiah 28:16

If we call ourselves Christians, then we should know what Jesus said, and we should use it.

How much scripture do you know from reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?

Have you memorized some Psalms or Proverbs? Have you memorized the Beatitudes in Matthew, chapter 5? What if we were to memorize (or at least have a thorough understanding) of some of the heavier parables, such as those in Luke chapters 14, 15, 16 or 17?

If we are people who follow Christ Jesus, then let's get to know Him and begin walking like Him, and talking like Him, and living like Him. Let's begin having "victory in Jesus, our Saviour, forever!"