On this day, we’ve been reminded of Christ’s fulfilling His Father’s perfect plan. But there is more to this celebration! Christ compels us to share with the lost His glorious Gospel in word whether written, spoken, or sung. Christ broke the bonds of condemnation so we may have life beyond the grave! Now we can be free and face the uncertainty.
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.” -Bill & Gloria Gaither (“Because He Lives”)
The great reality for the Christian is that he or she is free from bondage by Christ’s redemption. By His redeeming love, Christ lives in us and through us in all circumstances. Truly, Christ is alive!
Even though Christ was crucified and buried, on the first Easter morning, He arose with power over death, hell, and the grave. At last, there is a sufficient way for man to reach heaven, through the perfected atonement. No longer is the law the course for everyday life. The sacrificial Lamb’s resurrection proved that grace is free for each human being to receive.
As we continue on through the today, let us be reminded of the power of Christ’s resurrection. By his bursting forth into new life, so are we given the ability to resurrected from a life of misery and gloom. Christ is alive, not only on the right side of the Father, but also in the hearts of His followers on Earth.
In addition to the story of Christ’s resurrection on the first Easter morn, so are we Christians to tell of the great resurrection of our souls through Christ’s atonement. For truly, in our hearts the Lamb did rise in full power offering us victory. Here Ivan Parker, along with Gold City Quartet, performs these thoughts in the classic, “There Rose a Lamb”, written by Kyla Rowland.
When Christ’s followers were told of His crucifixion and death, they were astonished and hid for fear of their lives. Believing that the Roman soldiers would seek His closest followers to kill them next, they stayed hidden but also developed doubt in the middle of the three days. Because their Master seemed to be gone away from them, they started to fear that hope had been lost. Even though Christ had explained the purpose and outline of His death, burial, and crucifixion, they continued to be swayed by fallible humanity. And when Mary Magdalene and the others came to tell them the Lord had risen, they did not believe. According to Mark’s Gospel, the two disciples brought back the report of Christ’s resurrection, but they still did not believe.
This portion speaks to me as an example of patience when the future seems uncertain. Many times, it is difficult to walk through the tempest and keep in remembrance that Christ has gone before us. Just as the disciples had, there are moments when we’ve doubted or did not believe that Christ performed His work or had conquered as He said He would. These are those pauses or moments of reflection where God’s lessons shine the brightest. On this second day, join with me in reminding of the price paid on the original Good Friday to better appreciate what day three holds.
Here, the Tribute Quartet performs a song of reflection, “One Holy Lamb.”
Over 2000 years ago, the greatest story held its strongest unfolding for the world to see. Christ, the pure Lamb of God, was to be sacrificed for the sins of man. No words can describe the darkness that veiled the earth when Jesus Christ called out to His Father in despair, proclaiming the words, “It Is Finished.” It was through Christ giving His life for ours that we may walk free today.
If He hadn’t chose the tree of Calvary, there would be no symbol of peace and stability for Christians to gaze upon. This post may seem too late in the day for some, but I would like to call to mind an example of darkness covering the earth. For it was on that cross that Christ was crucified and became the ultimate example of our daily crucifixion. This was one step continued on the journey to true freedom, and the power of the cross transcends all of the realms of our existence.
Watch as the Gaither Vocal Band performs one of my favorite songs about the cross, “The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference”, written by the great songwriters, Bill and Gloria Gaither.
Join me tomorrow to the second of those three days of anguish and dread.
Once in a while, Southern Gospel songwriters will capture a different angle of the Christmas story & write it in a unique way. Nick Akin, of the emerging group, the Akins, has already begun to place his distinct mark on Southern Gospel songwriting. Nick is the author of the group’s #1 song from May 2010, “I Want My Stage to Be an Altar.” Each of his songs speaks of the basic feelings and happenings of everyday life, while weaving the Gospel message throughout. Featured here is the song, “Love at First Sight”, written by Nick, Eli Akin, & Whitney Akin.
The first verse speaks of the vocalist’s view of witnessing the love a child has shortly after birth. With the second verse, the songwriting trio writes of a unique look on the birth of Jesus Christ, speaking of His humble birth and the connection of love felt that night in Bethlehem. Several Christmas songs written for Southern Gospel artists often take a good bit of time to connect the Gospel with the Christmas story. “Love at First Sight” shows the listener exactly from where the true love comes, not from Hollywood as some may claim. The belief of love at first sight speaks of the connection with the Father’s eyes. The final chorus sums the Gospel message states that the gift that He gives could change your life, if you only believe in love at first sight.
This selection appears on the Akins’ self-titled project pictured above for an individual song download of only $0.99 here at Crossroads Music.
Back in the 1990s, when Kim & Valerie sang with their mom, Brenda, in the Ruppes, they released a Christmas project called Your Presence. This song, “Your Presence”, was originally recorded on the project. However, this year, Sisters (Kim, Valerie, & Heather) released their Christmas album titled, Sisters Christmas. “Your Presence” was re-recorded and included on the project as well as several of the older Ruppes Christmas tunes, but with new songs too.
I understand that the song is a play on of words with the idea of receiving presents at Christmas. But the song speaks of longing for more of Christ’s presence during this celebrated holiday. All the presents are nice, but we all can use more of God’s presence in our dealings this Christmas. This specific performance was recorded at the TBN studios in Hendersonville, TN, with host Jason Crabb. Listen as Sisters share an excellent Christmas thought with “Your Presence.”
Since the Pilgrims landed near Plymouth Rock upon their journey from England, there has been at least one day set aside for the sole purpose of giving thanks. One of our great Presidents declared that the fourth Thursday of every November be a national holiday known as Thanksgiving Day. It’s on this day that we reflect over the blessings that have been provided throughout the year.
As times change and more liberal views are offered, the holiday has lost a portion of its original focus. It seems today that Thanksgiving is a time to talk about turkey, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, or the eve of Black Friday. For the Christian, Thanksgiving Day, though every day, should hold greater significance. For it’s through the recognition of the path taken to enjoy these extras on one day of the year that a Christian may look back and realize that God was there all along. Because of what He has taken, we appreciate the “things” that we still have. To borrow the words of the Booth Brothers/Dianne Wilkinson & Rusty Golden song, “God Did It All”,
At the end, every man will declare , “God did it all.”
God, through His Son, paid the cost for all to know an everlasting and abundant life. God did it all. I invite you to join me today in praising God for His numerous blessings and provisions. For it’s out of a thankful heart, the greater blessings flow. Here is TaRanda Greene, from the 2010 Gaither album, Count Your Blessings, singing “We Are So Blessed.” May you have a blessed Thanksgiving celebrating the gifts given by our loving Savior.
