He has risen! It's not too late to change!

Over two thousand years ago, a miracle occurred that changed the world and those within it. A stopwatch to eternity has positioned us to look toward the heavens for His great and fabulous return.
We know Him as Mary’s Baby born in a manger, the Only Begotten Son of God, the Anointed One, the Good Shepherd, the Dayspring from on High, the Son of Man, the Promise, the Prince of Peace, Emanuel, the Tender Plant out of Jesse, the Redeemer, the Prince of Mercy, the Lily of the Valley, the True Vine, the Son of David and King of Kings.
But the name that gets me stirred up the most is Jesus. The name that is above every name that can be named. From Genesis to Revelations, He is referred to in many ways, invoking hope and a reason to keep faith.
When we read our Bibles, it becomes evident the Word of God is for the church and those of the church being converted in the last days, but when we read our newspapers and see our evening newscast, it is equally apparent the Word of God is for individuals concerned about the world and those who are in it.  
Losing track of time? It’s too easy to lose track of time in such a busy world. We just celebrated Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection and still men and women all over the world have not changed their ways, thinking they have more time to get things right spiritually.
The stopwatch is pressed against our life span of deeds. When will you proclaim the day of salvation? You who read your local paper? You who have loved ones concerned about the things of this world?
Our children in innocence hunted seriously for the hidden colored eggs on sacred ground while parents watched. They have no clue about the time, only their happiness of the day. It’s too easy for us as adults to get caught up in laughter and fun events when it’s not Easter or Christmas and forget He has Risen for our eternal good.
Mischief is all around us, and some of us are carriers like children with tendencies that annoy the most faithful. Not realizing the time, we are aging out. If we were children with a childlike faith, we would get a pass for our deeds in life. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for most of us.
Time is winding down, and the Lord is still looking for those who will serve Him in spirit and in truth. With our own eyes, we can look around and see our loved ones, friends and family and former church members who didn’t attend services to celebrate the fact the Lord Jesus has risen and is sitting at the right hand of the Father, constantly making intercession for the saints.
If you will stand for Him shamelessly, He will surely stand up for you.
Children seldom ever have an awareness of time, but as adults, we should be able to determine it according to our age. From infancy to our centenarian years, we should mature spiritually and grow in grace.
The Psalmist in Psalms 90:12 asked the Lord to teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:10 even states: The days of our years are three score years and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
I ask the question, “Will you be able to celebrate, no matter what your age of transition, when the Lord calls you home?”
If you’re between the age of 40 to 49, you are called a quadragenarian. Have you made the confession of faith in Jesus? Time is fleeting.
If you are 50 to 59, you are called a quinquagenarian. Have you made the confession of faith in Jesus? Time is fleeting.
If you are between the age of 60 to 69, you are called a sexagenarian. Have you made the confession of faith in Jesus? Time is fleeting.
If you are between the age of 70 to 79, you are called a septuagenarian. Have you made the confession of faith in Jesus? Time is fleeting.
If you are between the age of 80 to 89, you are called a octogenarian. Have you made the confession of faith in Jesus? Time is fleeting.
If you are between the age of 90 to 99, you are called a nonagenarian. Have you made the confession of faith in Jesus? Time is fleeting.
If you are 100 and above, then you are called a centenarian. Have you made the confession of faith in Jesus? Time is fleeting.
In the township of Bethany, the angels assured us that in the same manner the disciples saw Jesus ascend into heaven will be the same like manner He shall return.
That was the first Easter. He set the mark. The urgency is now. He gave us all He could. Our Lord has risen to save us all, so please consider opening your heart to His salvation, forgiveness, peace, grace, hope and blessings.
(Editor’s note: Marvie Marchbanks wrote this special column just a few days after Easter for our readers to enjoy and contemplate. We are grateful for his inspirational message and reminders about being ready for the return of our Savior. Along with his many gifts and talents, Marvie is also the hardworking manager of the Marion County/Hamilton Farmer’s Market on Bexar Avenue. His market will open in June on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7-11 a.m.)