Lenten Love. . .continued

While most of the Christian community is concerned with counting down the days until they don’t have to eat fish on Fridays, they can eat, drink, and indulge in the things they gave up or “sacrificed” during this 40-day remembrance, there are those who anticipate with sun-bursting joy the celebration of the most significant and important day in the believers’ history; the day in which Satan was forever crushed and Christ was forever victorious – the resurrection! 

I was thinking of this during church this morning as hundreds of believers in our community chapel lifted their voice in song and their hands in surrendered praise to the Creator of the universe.  Yes, His love must be evident in our hearts and we must become as Christ: love-inspired, love-mastered, and love-driven.  But, we, as believers have one very awesome responsibility: to praise, to praise, to praise our God! To honor, to glorify, to exalt, to lift on high the name of Jesus! Blessed be the name of the Lord. As my spirit began to rise within me, I could feel the excitement that Jerusalem must have felt as Jesus came riding into town.

As Jesus told the Pharisee’s during His triumphal entry to Jerusalem, when they were complaining about the noise of His followers, Jesus told them, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise."  Luke 19:40 (Message)

Please, take 3 minutes and 46 seconds to listen to this music video.  Close your eyes.  Lift surrendered hands in praise along with this song. 

Remember dear friends, we have just a few weeks to prepare, to roll away the stone that covers our heart. . .rejoice with me and remember, after all is said and done, we win!  We may lose a few battles along the way.  We may get battered, brusied, hurt, wounded, and scarred, but we have victory over the enemy and we win, hallelujah we win, cause I read the back of the Book and we win!!

Almighty God (Tim Hughes)

Listen and be blessed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IHPvpF4MlU

Verse 1:
The rising Sun that fills the sky
The starry host that lights the night
Reflecting Your glory

The mountain heights, forever stand
The rain that falls to soak the land
Respond to Your glory

Chorus:
Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

Verse 2:
The vast expanse of earth and sea
Held by You in harmony
Speaks of Your glory

All You've made, since time began
Life itself; Your perfect plan
And it's all for Your glory

Chorus:
Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

Creation joins as one to sing
“What A Glorious God.”
So far above all earthly things

Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

Yes, to God be the glory!