Cole Geise, 22, of Olean, New York

No Longer Missing

Cole Geise, 22, of Olean, New York, went missing on May 2. His family had
no knowledge of his whereabouts. An intense search ensued. Approaching two
weeks since he went missing, his family had begun giving up hope.

"You get to day 13 and you start wondering," Cole's father, Steve, told
WIVB. "You wonder and you start getting a couple negative thoughts in your
head like, 'Alright, why hasn't he been seen? Where is he?'"

Finally, Geise was spotted by a former classmate. Lyaness Batista-Benett,
who was working as a shift supervisor at Wendy's, saw Geise walk in the
restaurant last Saturday evening. "I've known Cole since second grade,"
Batista-Benett said. "I saw him walk in and it instantly brought upon this
feeling. It's him!" Others in the restaurant also recognized Geise from the
police notices that had been posted throughout the area in abundance.

Some who recognized Geise followed him at a distance and called the police.
Geise, who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, had been
hiding out in an abandoned house. Police picked him up safely and notified
his parents. Later there was a happy reunion for the Geise family at the
police station.

Because of our sins, we've "gone missing." We were created to be in
fellowship with God, but our sins separated us from Him and all the
blessings He intends for His children (Isaiah 59:1-2). Like lost sheep, we
have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6).

But God loves us so much that He sent His Son to seek and to save us (John
3:16; Luke 19:10), like a Shepherd seeking lost sheep.

In order to save us from sin, the Good Shepherd had to lay down His life
(John 10:17-18). He died for us so that we might live (1 Thessalonians
5:10).

If we will submit our lives to the Shepherd, He will save us and bring us
into a heavenly, eternal fold (John 10:10; Romans 6:23).

Jesus said, "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.
Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost
sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his
shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together
and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in
the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who
repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent"
(Luke 15:4-7).

The Good Shepherd will save and give eternal life to those who place their
faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin and keep safe those who continue to walk in the
light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Lost sheep, won't you come home to the Shepherd?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Good Samaritans reunite New York man with family
2 weeks after going missing" by Peter Aitken of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

Type O Negative blood

The Universal Donor

If you ever find yourself, either by virtue of illness or injury, in need of
a blood transfusion, you'd better hope your local blood bank has a good
supply of a compatible blood type.

According to INFO PLEASE:

Human blood is grouped into four types: A, B, AB, and O. Each letter refers
to a kind of antigen, or protein, on the surface of red blood cells. For
example, the surface of red blood cells in Type A blood has antigens known
as A-antigens.

Each blood type is also grouped by its Rhesus factor, or Rh factor. Rhesus
refers to another type of antigen, or protein, on the surface of red blood
cells. Blood is either Rh positive (Rh+) or Rh negative (Rh-). About 85% of
Americans have Rh+ blood.

Blood types become very important when a blood transfusion is necessary. In
a blood transfusion, a patient must receive a blood type that is compatible
with his or her own blood type - that is, the donated blood must be accepted
by the patient's own blood. If the blood types are not compatible, red
blood cells will clump together, making clots that can block blood vessels
and cause death.

Type O Negative blood is considered the "universal donor" because it can be
donated to people of any blood type.

Because of our sins, each of us is in a fatal condition, "for the wages of
sin is death" (Romans 6:23). We need a type of "blood transfusion."

God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins
(John 3:16). The blood that Jesus shed in His death has paid the price for
our redemption from sin: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
Jesus is the only "universal donor," for only the sinless Son of God could
pay the price for our sins with His blood (1 John 2:2).

In order to have His cleansing blood applied to our lives, we must place our
faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). The
blood of Jesus continues to cleanse the child of God from sin as he
continues to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

"The life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11). Our physical
bodies can't live without blood. Even so, salvation and eternal life are
found in the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23).

The Apostle Peter wrote to Christians: "For you know that it was not with
perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the
empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the
precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter
1:18-19).

Won't YOU appropriate the cleansing blood of Christ through your trusting
obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Blood Types" in www.infoplease.com

.

Mart Green ministry investment officer of Hobby Lobby

That the World May Know

Mart Green is the ministry investment officer of Hobby Lobby and founder of
Mardel Christian & Education, a book store and education supplier with a
Christian focus. Green is involved in a mission to help translate God's
Word into every language in the world, so that each and every person can
read the Word of God in his/her own language.

In a recent article in www.foxnews.com, Green shared an encounter with a man
that renewed his focus of trying to get the Bible into every country and
language:

I'd been supporting a painstakingly laborious Bible translation project in
Guatemala and began to question my "return on investment." It seemed to me
I'd put a considerable sum of money into a project that would benefit just a
few hundred people, or a few thousand at most.

To be honest, I was a bit cranky when I got off the uncomfortable 10-hour
bus journey to attend the ceremony marking the completion, at last, of the
translation of the Bible into the Eastern Jakaltek language - an endeavor 40
years in the making.

Then I saw Gaspar - and my life changed forever.

Gaspar, one of the local people, was sobbing with sheer joy as he took the
Bible, his own Bible in his own language, into his hands. I'd never held a
Bible like Gaspar did - as if he were grasping the most precious item in the
world.

Now, how will you hold your Bible?

The Bible is the most precious item in the world because it is God's Word.
In its pages, God reveals Himself to us. We can read and study about who
God is and know His will for us. Through the Scriptures, we learn how much
God loves us: that He gave His only Son to die on the cross for our sins so
that we can be reconciled to Him and live with Him for eternity in heaven
(John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

God has revealed in His Word that He will save and give eternal life to
those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from
their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of
sins (Acts 2:38). God's Word teaches that as we continue to walk in the
light of His Word that the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all
sin (1 John 1:7-9).

In his research, Green learned that "more than a billion people - speaking
some 3,800 different languages - have little or no access to the Bible in a
language they can clearly understand. More than 2,000 languages don't yet
have a single verse of Scripture." So he has resolved to do something about
it, so that the world may know God and His will for our lives.

"This movement is especially significant as we remember that heaven and
earth meet at the point of God's Word," says Green. "The Word became flesh
and lived among us - Jesus, the Living Word - giving you and me the hope of
everlasting life through His resurrection, and leaving us with the great
commission to share the Gospel with every creature and make disciples of all
the nations (Matthew 28:16-20)."

Please pick up your Bible. Think of Green and Gaspar. Treasure the Word of
God. Read it and heed it. It will change your life, forever.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Mart Green: Mission of biblical proportions -
this is how we're taking God's Word to every corner of the world" in
www.foxnews.com, accessed April 16, 2021.

I Know Why You're Here

I Know Why You're Here

Kevin Blue writes about an experience that a friend experienced one summer
while he was ministering among the poor on a six-week urban project with a
religious organization in Los Angeles, California. Blue writes:

Part of his assignment was to spend time in a convalescent home in the
central part of the city... This convalescent home was smelly, understaffed
and poorly kept. Few residents had visitors. For a new guest arriving to
serve the residents, it was very awkward. Some residents were mentally ill;
some were not responsive at all. Others were even hostile. Members of
Johnny's team were struggling in the first few days with why they had been
called to serve there. "Why are we here?" "This is depressing." "We can't
do anything to help." Such remarks began to be made openly.

One day, after Johnny had been there for about a week, an elderly woman
slowly walked up to him in the hallway where he was standing. She drew
close and pointed a finger at him. "I know why you're here," she said in an
accusatory tone. She paused as my friend looked at her, wondering what this
was about. Realizing he didn't know what she meant, she went on. "I know
why you're here," she said again. "You're here because God wants us to know
he hasn't forgotten about us."

The woman turned and shuffled away. Johnny was stunned. Another team member
was so moved she nearly cried on the spot. By the end of that summer, many
of that team cried as they left the friends they had made, because in many
of those relationships they had found something of the kingdom of God. *

Imagine someone walking up to Jesus during His earthly ministry, pointing
his finger at Him and saying, "I know why You're here. You're here because
God wants us to know that He hasn't forgotten about us."

That statement is true.

Jesus came to this earth to reveal God to us (John 1:14). He came to reveal
the love God has for us (John 3:16). He came to show us that God has not
forgotten about us and that He has not abandoned us because of our sins. In
fact, Jesus came to save us from sin.

Jesus stated the reason for His coming: "For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). In order to save us, He had
to die on the cross for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). God will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

One day, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him. He said
(essentially) to Jesus, "I know why You're here." John said, "Behold! The
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).

Jesus came to inform us that God has not forgotten us. He came to save us.
He came to save you.

Won't YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life by submitting your
life to Him?

-- David A. Sargent

* Kevin Blue, Practical Justice: Living Off-Center in a Self-Centered World,
InterVarsity Press, 2006, as quoted in www.thepastorsworkshop.com.

"Easter Miracle Landing" of King Air by Doug White

Learn how Doug White landed a King Air plane on Easter weekend in this 15 minute video:   https://bit.ly/31uDVQl

 

Hear Doug describe some of what he experienced here:  https://bit.ly/2QOHNJV

 

challenges for substitute teachers

Not Forgotten

Substitute teachers can face many challenges. Sometimes they can be taken
advantage of or be the recipients of some student pranks. Some substitute
teachers, however, are deeply respected and make a profound and lasting
influence on the lives of their students. Jose Villaruel, affectionately
known as "Mr. V" by his students, was one of those beloved substitute
teachers in the Fontana (CA) Unified School District.

One of Mr. V's former students, Steven Nava, recently re-connected with his
former teacher. Nava has many good things to say about Villaruel. He said
Villaruel always acted like a "family figure" to his students.
"[Villarruel] was just someone that kind of wanted you to stay on and guide
you on that right path." Nava added: "Mr. V has influenced [me] . to be a
better person. He's taught me to have that drive and that 'never give up'
attitude whenever facing a struggle in my life and that's what's helped me
be the person I am now."

Those powerful lessons from his teacher were re-emphasized when Nava was
recently reunited with him in Fontana. Nava saw Villaruel rummaging in his
car, recognized him, and stopped to ask how he was doing. Mr. V, now
77-years-old, opened up to his former student about his struggles. He had
been living in his car for the past eight years trying to make ends meet.
The pandemic had made his situation worse because he had not had
opportunities to work as a substitute teacher to supplement his Social
Security income. He had been sending most of his money to help care for his
sick wife who was living in Mexico.

Nava, 21-years-old, was heartbroken to see his beloved teacher going through
such a difficult time and vowed to help. Nava created a GoFundMe account
and asked his followers on social media to help Mr. V. In just a few days,
thanks to the generosity of people throughout the world, Nava was able to
raise $27,000 for Villaruel. He presented a check for that amount to Mr. V
on his 77th birthday. With the money, Villaruel was able to pay off some
debts and prepare to return to his family in Mexico.

When we were destitute and alone due to our sins, Someone came to our
rescue. That Someone was Jesus, the Son of God. He paid our sin debt by
dying on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). He invites us into
His family in which we can be under the watchful care of the Father and
enjoy fellowship with other members of God's family, the church. When our
situation is bleak and hopeless due to our sin, Jesus offers grace and life,
eternal life.

God will save, add to His family, and give eternal life to those who place
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
He will continue to cleanse from sin and prepare for a heavenly home those
who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Alone and struggling because of sin, we have not been forgotten. God loves
us and desires to save us. And He will, if we will only submit our lives to
Him in trusting obedience.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "California substitute teacher living in car gets
surprise $27,000 check on 77th birthday from former student" by Daniella
Genovese, www.foxnews.com.

Tom Brady, Part 3" from 60 Minutes, www.cbsnews.com

The GOAT

He is called "The GOAT" of NFL quarterbacks, the "Greatest Of All Time."
Tom Brady has many stats to back up the title, including 7 Super Bowl rings.
The latest ring he earned as he led his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in
Super Bowl LV, at the "ripe old age" (in NFL player standards) of 43.

Back in 2005 after Brady led the New England Patriots to their and his third
Super Bowl win, CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft interviewed Brady.

During the interview, Kroft asked Brady to reflect on his successes: "This
whole experience -- this whole upward trajectory -- what have you learned
about yourself? What kind of an effect does it have on you?"

In his response, Brady said, "Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and
still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot
of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what is.' I reached my goal, my
dream, my life. Me, I think: '.It's gotta be more than this. I mean this
can't be what it's all cracked up to be. I mean I've done it. I'm 27. And
what else is there for me?"

"What's the answer?" asked Kroft.

Brady responded, "I wish I knew. I wish I knew."

Now in 2021, after winning a record 7 Super Bowls, I wonder if Brady is
still asking these questions and searching for answers. I hope so.

Mr. Brady, I think there is something greater out there for you. It's not
about what you know, but WHO you know.

The "Who" that can answer these deep questions in life is Jesus Christ.

Yes, I am a preacher and I'm supposed to say that. But if I don't believe
it, I'd better not be preaching it.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to this earth to
reveal God to us, and to pay the price for our sins by dying on the cross.
He did this so that we can be forgiven of our sins and live eternally with
Him in heaven.

And, Mr. Brady, I believe that He is the Answer to your questions about what
life is all about.

I believe Jesus when He said, "I have come that you may have life and have
it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus is the key to the abundant life now
and eternal life to come. The abundant life now is experienced through the
spiritual blessings that Jesus gives to us when we submit our lives to Him -
blessings such as forgiveness, peace that surpasses understanding, joy that
isn't based on circumstances, a love that doesn't quit, and hope that
extends beyond this life.

Mr. Brady, I hope you are still searching and I hope that you will
investigate Jesus. Read about Jesus in the Gospel accounts. Observe His
life and teachings. If you study His life and teachings with an open heart
and mind, I believe you will reach the same conclusion that I and many
others have reached: Jesus is the Greatest Person Who has ever lived on this
earth. And although it cost His life, Jesus offers the greatest gifts to
all who will accept them on His terms: the abundant life now and eternal
life to come.

Here is how we accept His offer, according to the ones that Jesus
commissioned to share the Good News: God will save and give eternal life to
those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from
their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of
sins (Acts 2:38). God will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue
to follow His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Mr. Brady (and anyone else reading this article), I believe abundant life
and eternal life are found in Jesus. Please see for yourself. I believe
you'll find something greater than winning 7 Super Bowls.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Transcript: Tom Brady, Part 3" from 60 Minutes,
www.cbsnews.com.