"Fear God, Love God, Serve God": "I'll Never Be The Same Again!'

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day

of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,

out of whom he had cast seven devils."

(Mark 16:9)

Of course, she would be the FIRST one there! It's like that with those who have "seen" Him, and felt His touch. Mary Magdalene was delivered of seven demons by Jesus Christ; she was set free; she was restored to a right mind; she was made whole and clean and she was not about to forsake the One who gave her life! She was first at the cross, first at the tomb, and the first one to see Jesus after He was risen from the dead! Ah, Mary Magdalene ... those who have been forgiven much ... love much! And, her words, like so many others who encounter Jesus Christ, were and are, "I'll Never Be The Same Again!"

He leaves you spellbound ... Who is this man who heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out devils, walks on water, calms storms, confounds professors, reads minds, performs miracles, and loves with such intensity? His name is Jesus Christ; He's Lord of Lords and King of Kings; He's the fairest of ten thousand, the bright and morning star, the Lily of the valley, the Alpha and Omega ... He IS ... He IS ... He IS! Once YOU have met Him, you walk different, talk different, think different, live different, love different, and YOU are NEVER the same again! When you feel the rain of His love, His peace, His JOY, His Spirit, His strength, His comfort, His presence ... You're never the same, and You want the whole world to know it. It's hard to keep your mouth shut about Jesus Christ! Oh, they've tried over the years; they did it to Paul, and all of the Apostles; they do it today ... "You can say whatever you want, but don't preach or teach in THAT name!" What name? JESUS! It's the power behind that NAME that needles, convicts, pierces, draws, reveals ... JESUS!

It doesn't work! Persecution only makes the Christian stronger, bolder, more determined, more powerful ... We will tell it on the mountains; we will shout it to the housetops; we will proclaim it to every Nation, kindred and tongue ... JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! It's because when YOU meet up with Him, you're never the same; You have been touched by those nail-scarred hands; you've met the tenderness and gentleness of a dove; you've encountered the Almighty omnipotent GOD; you've ventured into an ethereal realm; you've felt the brush of angels' wings; you've stepped into a garden of roses; you've tasted holiness; you've met beauty in its purest form; and you'll just never be the same again!

He did it for YOU and me! He took the sins of the whole world upon Himself, that we might live and have life everlasting. He was beaten to a pulp, humiliated and scorned; His blood flowed like a river, and now that "river" is our salvation, our redemption to eternal life! Thank You, Lord Jesus! Wherever you are in the world, Jesus Christ can touch you; He can be Your Savior; and you, too, can KNOW what it feels like to be free! Even if you live in a Nation or country where your people do not feel free; the Lord Jesus Christ can set you free "inside," and He that the Son sets free, is free indeed! It just takes a sincere and repentant heart ... ask Him to fill you with the Holy Ghost, and you will speak in a language you never learned, as His Spirit enters your body; He tames the most wicked member of your body, the tongue. Then, be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. Then, YOU will never be the same again!

Mary Magdalene, we'll see Him, too! We'll see Him coming in the clouds for His own, for His bride, at the Rapture of the Church ... and we can't wait! Why do we long to see the Lord Jesus Christ face to face? Why do we cry, "Maranatha?" We say it 'because He touched me' ... and "I'll Never Be The Same Again!"