The resurrection story is one that we should be telling out abroad to all who will listen. Will you join me in sharing the good news? The Lord is risen indeed!
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are still celebrating the joys of Easter. We are celebrating our risen and ascended Lord. The cross could not hold him down, the grave has no victory over him, instead he has given us the victory over sin and the grave. To God be the glory!
Even when we fail to acknowledge the presence of God, God is present in our lives.
“Oh, let me feel Thee near me; the world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear; my foes are ever near me, around me and within; but, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.”
Lord, teach us how to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow you. Lord, we need your help to banish the idols in our lives that keep us from diligently following you.
“O Jesus, Thou has promised, to all who follow Thee, that where Thou art in glory. there shall Thy servant be; and Jesus, I have promised, to serve Thee to the end; Oh, give me grace to follow my Master and my Friend.”
We tend to come before God with ramblings; it’s time for a new start. When we come before God, let us learn to listen in an intentional way – to hear.
“Oh, let me hear Thee speaking, in accents clear and still, above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will; Oh, speak to reassure me, to hasten, or control; Oh, speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.”
Jesus endured so much for us, now what will we do for Jesus?
“O Jesus, I have promised, to serve Thee to the end; be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend; I shall not fear the battle, if Thou art by my side, nor wander from the pathway, if Thou wilt be my Guide. Oh, let me see Thy footmarks, and in them plant mine own; my hope to follow duly, is in Thy strength alone. Oh, guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end; and then to rest receive me, my Savior and my Friend.”
“Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright, the Lord in rays eternal, of resurrection light.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, let this be our aspiration this Easter Season and beyond.
“The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad! The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God. From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky, our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory. Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin! Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein! Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend, for Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end.” Thank you, Lord!
The Lord is risen indeed! Allelujah!
The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia! The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions has dispersed. Let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia! The three sad days are quickly sped; he rises glorious from the dead. All glory to our risen Head. Alleluia! He closed the yawning gates of hell; the bars from heaven’s high portals fell. Let hymns of praise his triumph tell. Alleluia! Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee, from death’s dread sting thy servants free, that we may live and sing to thee. Alleluia!
Lord, we are thankful for Calvary, and for Jesus’ death on the cross for us. As a result, we are free, we are made whole, we have been washed in the blood of the lamb.
Lord, when we are burdened and heavy laden, lead us to Calvary, to that special place, where we could leave our burdens at your feet, where we could bare our souls to you without shame or conviction. Jesus, you endured shame for us when you went to Calvary, so let us never be ashamed to tell Your story. May we never be ashamed to proclaim Your Gospel. May we never be afraid to confess You before men. (Excerpt from PFEL)
Thank you, Lord for dying on the cross for my sins!
“When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. See from his head, his hands his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did ever such love and sorrow meet, or thorns composed so rich a crown?”
The old rugged cross should be significant in the lives of all of us; because on that hill far away, Jesus bore our shame, he suffered and died, for the atonement of our sins.
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame, and I love that old cross where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain. So, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross rugged cross, ‘till my trophies at last I lay down, I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown. To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true. it’s shame and reproach gladly bear, then he’ll call me some day, to my home far away, where his glory forever I’ll share.” Thank you, Lord!