Aylmer Christian Reformed Church

You may have heard the phrase said from one person to another: “You are in good spirits!”. We live in a very spiritual society, although it doesn’t seem very apparent at first glance. Many people when asked do believe in a spirit, or that some sort of spiritual life exists. Some people believe in spirits that cause human harm (perhaps they call them demons) and some people believe in spirits that do good (many call them angels). Other people believe, mistakenly, you can communicate with dead people through spirits. Most religions have views on the spirit. We should turn to the Bible to clear our thoughts and find the truth concerning spirits.

The Bible says that spirits exist. Numerous places in the Bible mention angels helping real people and demons seriously affecting the lives of real people. The Bible also tells us about the Spirit of God very very early in the book Genesis and throughout the Bible. The Bible tells us that the Spirit of God was hovering over the earth, giving it life.

The Holy Spirit is one of three parts of the Trinity. Sometimes the idea of the Trinity confuses people. The Apostle’s Creed helps us understand this fundamental idea of the Christian Faith and is a very powerful summary of our Christian Faith:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic* church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

It is God’s Spirit, The Holy Spirit, that was poured out over His Church on Pentecost that was celebrated a couple of weeks ago. It is God’s Holy Spirit “that is the presence and power of God with us here and now, leading the church, uniting God’s people, applying God’s forgiveness to our broken lives, speaking to us, and spurring us individually and communally to godly living” -CRCNA.

It is comforting to know that God’s Holy Spirit is with His Church today, empowering all who believe to do His Will on this earth and continually supporting His children in all their trials, hardships, and joyful times. Let us pray.

Lord Jesus, grant me a vision of your gracious spirit. Please speak to me words of hope, life, grace, forgiveness and eternal life. Amen.

-Rev. deJong

Rev. deJong is a retired CRC minister. He resides in the Aylmer area and attends church at Aylmer Christian Reformed Chruch.

Just over two weeks ago we celebrated Easter. Many attended beautiful church services and many sat down with family and friends to enjoy an Easter feast. It was all very joyful and positive. The weather was also very reflective of the joy many experienced – warm and sunny. Throughout the church services and family get-togethers of the Easter holiday did you hear and take into your heart the Good News from the Bible?

I ask myself how many people really hear and take into their hearts the Good News of the New Life presented to us in the Holy Bible. Do we really know what the Bible tells us? Do you think many of our neighbours know the resurrection of Jesus Christ as fact? Do our leaders in government know the Good News of the Bible? What about in the community? Do local business people, school teachers, ministers, and people who say they go to church know the meaning of the New Life of Easter?

The New Life of Easter means that we must believe that Jesus really rose from the grave and that this is an historical fact.

Secondly, it means that we must truly believe that Jesus rose from the dead for us.

Thirdly, it means that you and I must accept the fact that as we share the consequences of Christ’s death so we share the results of His resurrection.

If Jesus is therefore alive, than you and I who believe in Him, and I ask why not believe in Him, are also alive.

I know watching the television and surfing the internet has replaced much of our reading today. But why not pick up the Bible and read the Good News? I am sure that you have one laying around the house somewhere.

A second question I ask myself is what does it mean that we are or can be alive in Jesus? Practically speaking it means that we must live the way Jesus wants us to live. In short, it means that we must surrender and submit ourselves to Jesus and His Word. And when we do this we become new people.

The results of living in and for Jesus are numerous, but some examples include:

We become patient instead of being short-tempered.

We become content instead continuous greed for more physical possessions. Let us stop devastating greed and jealousy for other people’s achievements and possessions. Instead we should be caring for our neighbours and be Christ to them.

These are only some examples of how Jesus works through us once we become Christians. There is really no end to the specific results of Christ’s life within us. The Good News of Easter can change and renew our community, our family, our work-site, our government and our school system.

The Bible says that he who abides in Christ brings forth much fruit. In the face of all the difficulties and temptation of the day, the Christian has the upper hand, for his faith is rooted in the one person who has been and is victorious over sin and death.

Enjoy your new life in Christ.

-Rev. deJong

Rev. deJong is a retired CRC minister. He resides in the Aylmer area and attends church at Aylmer Christian Reformed Chruch.