I love hearing my students recite Psalm 91 because I hear it as a declaration of this class. They will be protected and blessed in the Lord as long as they dwell in His presence. This was a constant reminder for me as well that I will be protected and blessed when I am dwelling (not visiting) in His presence.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Psalm 91
I love hearing my students recite Psalm 91 because I hear it as a declaration of this class. They will be protected and blessed in the Lord as long as they dwell in His presence. This was a constant reminder for me as well that I will be protected and blessed when I am dwelling (not visiting) in His presence.
Friday, April 11, 2014
death has been swallowed up in victory
Growing up in church, I knew what Easter was all about. It wasn't about a bunny, or candy, or eggs. It was about Jesus' death and resurrection.
It never clicked with me that it was about victory over death. As we approach Easter, I am painfully reminded of death. My mom called me this morning to tell me that a my good friend, Matt Mahoney, was shot and killed last night. This kid. Oh my lanta. He made summer 2013 interesting and awesome. After giving my guitar away, he went out and bought me another one, a nicer one, because he wanted me to continue glorifying God with it. He quickly became a brother as we talked about the things God was doing in our lives and what we were learning about God.
And that brother is no longer on this earth.
Death hurts.
It hurts for a short time compared to eternity in the presence of Jesus Christ that awaits us.
Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh death, where is your victory?
Death, the moment my Savior died on the cross, the moment He gave up His life for us, you lost the victory oh death. You couldn't hold my Savior down!!! And you know what else death? You can't hold me down either. In Jesus Christ, my brothers, my sisters, and I have victory over you as well!
This is what Easter Sunday is all about. Being able to look death in the face and saying, "You have no victory over me in the name of Jesus Christ. You have no victory!"
When the perishable has been clothed with imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
It never clicked with me that it was about victory over death. As we approach Easter, I am painfully reminded of death. My mom called me this morning to tell me that a my good friend, Matt Mahoney, was shot and killed last night. This kid. Oh my lanta. He made summer 2013 interesting and awesome. After giving my guitar away, he went out and bought me another one, a nicer one, because he wanted me to continue glorifying God with it. He quickly became a brother as we talked about the things God was doing in our lives and what we were learning about God.
And that brother is no longer on this earth.
Death hurts.
It hurts for a short time compared to eternity in the presence of Jesus Christ that awaits us.
Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh death, where is your victory?
Death, the moment my Savior died on the cross, the moment He gave up His life for us, you lost the victory oh death. You couldn't hold my Savior down!!! And you know what else death? You can't hold me down either. In Jesus Christ, my brothers, my sisters, and I have victory over you as well!
This is what Easter Sunday is all about. Being able to look death in the face and saying, "You have no victory over me in the name of Jesus Christ. You have no victory!"
When the perishable has been clothed with imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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