“And it was the third hour when they crucified him…and with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.”  Mark 15:25, 27  ESV

            “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ?  Save yourself and us!  But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’  And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’”   Luke 23:39-43

Today we visited 9th Fort in Kaunas, Lithuania.  This was one of many Jewish extermination camps during World War II.  Over 50,000 people were killed.  As we walked through the fort and saw where the atrocities were committed I couldn't help but think of how awful and depraved the human heart had to be to do such things.  The Bible does say that the heart is "deceitful and desperately wicked."

With a heart condition like that we need much more than forgiveness; we need redemption.  Our sin nature demands a Savior.  God's holy and righteous nature can't just let something like this go.  He must judge such a heart.  That's what makes His love for us so much louder than normal.  He sent His Son to serve the sentence our sins deserved.  Jesus actually died for us and in our place so that we wouldn't have to.

Of course, we must receive the gift of life that He offers.  Just because He paid the price doesn't mean you or I have to accept it.  We can still choose to serve our sentence, which is death, or we can accept His redemptive gift, which is life and forgiveness.  Have you made your decision yet.

As you can see from the picture, I've found a McDonalds!  Ah yes...my internal navigational system can smell out a McDonalds anywhere.  I feel like I'm back home again.  :-)

Seriously, we're having a great time in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania.  We've been able to do some prayer walking as well as get to know a few of the locals.  I met a young lady from this city who comes to N.J. to visit her mom every summer.  When she found out I was a pastor from the US she wanted to know when and where the Bible Study would be here in town.  She's planning to come tomorrow night and brings some friends.  God is working...this looks like the beginnings of a new church start.

Keep praying.

I'll be back in touch ASAP.

Pastor Mike