Dear friends & family in Christ,

1) Pastor Daniel, his family & all at CTFM & RUAP would like to wish you all a very Happy Resurrection weekend!

May it be a special time for you as you spend time with you family & friends.

Let’s remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season, as we rejoice in His death & resurrection, bringing life, joy and hope to all mankind!

2) You may click the picture on the left to read a very encouraging Passover message by our Prime Minister Tony Abbott, especially for the Jewish community in Australia.

According to the Jewish calendar this Friday night 3 April is the eve of Passover which continues through till Saturday 11 April.

On Saturday night 4 April there will be a blood moon eclipse visible in Australia.

3) This year 2015 is one of those unique years when the man-made timing of Easter coincides with the God-ordained timing of Passover.

We’re posting the following article ‘Criminal on the Cross’ from Billy Graham’s Grandson regarding the true meaning of Easter.

By Will Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

The cross means different things to different people. For some it’s just a pretty piece of jewellery. To others it’s a decoration for their home. To Christians it is a symbol of the sacrificial love of Christ and His conquering of the grave.

However, to criminals under Roman rule in the first century, and those who witnessed the punishment, the cross was a symbol of torture, cruelty, death and humiliation.

As we enter the Easter season, we can learn from a man on a cross. This individual’s name is only known to God. We find this man – a criminal sentenced to death – hanging beside Jesus in Luke 23:39-43.

The first lesson that we learn is that he had a correct view of reality (vv. 40-41) and a correct view of himself. He saw himself as a criminal who was rightly condemned for the deeds he had committed. He correctly realized that he deserved death. Further, he had a correct view of Jesus. He recognized Jesus as the spotless Lamb of God and he testified to this while hanging on the cross. He knew he was a sinner, and Jesus was innocent.

The second lesson that we learn is that this criminal had a correct view of life after death. Though he was sentenced to death and hanging to life by a thread, he believed that his soul would continue to live after he died. Many people today live as if this life is all there is, but the Bible says that your soul lives forever and that it will abide in one of two places-heaven or hell. (Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:5, John 3:1-21)

Finally, we see that this criminal had a correct view of salvation (v. 42). He saw himself as totally helpless. He could do nothing to improve his odds in life or save himself. He was now bound to death and could not escape. Yet he cries out to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” He wanted to offer the last thing he had to give (his soul) to Jesus. He realized that Jesus was the Son of God and that he wanted to be a part of Christ’s Kingdom.

The criminal on the cross: he knew who he was and who Jesus was, he knew that his soul would continue after he died, and he knew that Jesus was the Savior. He could do nothing but cry out to Jesus and place his faith in Him for his salvation. To which Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Have you seen the world through the eyes of this condemned criminal? Do you understand your need for the Savior, and – more importantly – have you cried out to Him for your salvation? If not, the Easter season is as good a time as any to surrender your life to Christ. If you have made that decision, I encourage you to not miss the opportunities God puts in front of you to share that same hope with those around you. Jesus saved the criminal on the cross, and He desires to save each of us as well.

Click the following link to keep reading.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-criminal-on-the-cross-49784/