Because He Lives

Hymn of the day:

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

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.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

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.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

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!

~ William and Gloria Gaither ~

Story:

Today, millions of Americans and people around the world are coming to love southern gospel music, and a big reason is the popularity of the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming concerts and videos. For more than 40 years, the Gaithers have been writing and performing Christian songs. "He Touched Me," "There's Something About That Name," and some 600 others are featured in many church hymnals. But "Because He Lives" is perhaps the best known.

In the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, the Gaithers were going through a traumatic time. Their firstborn, Suzanne, was 4, and her sister Amy was three months old. The timing for another baby wasn't ideal. On top of that, Bill was recovering from a bout with mononucleosis.

The breakup of the marriage of Bill's sister, Mary Ann, had left his family devastated. What's more, a close friend's accusation that Bill and Gloria were using their ministry just to make a buck blindsided the couple and plunged Bill into a deep depression.

Gloria also remembers it as a time of fear and sadness. The educational system was being infiltrated with the "God is dead" idea, while drug abuse and racial tension were increasing. The thought of bringing another child into the world was taking its toll.

But after a simple prayer by one of Bill's close friends—a prayer that commanded the devil to back off—both Bill and Gloria recall that the strength of the Holy Spirit seemed to come to their aid. Christ's resurrection, in all its power, was reaffirmed in their hearts. They were assured that the future, left in God's hands, would be just fine.

In July 1970 a healthy baby, Benjamin, was born. Inspired by the miracle of their son's birth, "Because He Lives" poured out of the Gaithers' grateful hearts. The song clearly affirms the hope believers have in Christ. We can face tomorrow, with all its uncertainty, as we realize that God holds the future and makes life worth living.

This song is so powerful, although it is young, in comparison to most well known hymns, it says it all.

How many of us fear tomorrow, the unknown? One of my favorite quotes addresses this "Don't fear tomorrow because God is already there". This song goes a little deeper into the reason we should not fear... there are numerous bible verses that address this but will leave that for another time.
My response to a feeling of fear is prayer. I know if I go to God with my fear He will give me the courage to face that fear.

Components of Prayer: requests, thanksgiving, praise, worship, and confession.

Most of us are familiar with prayers of requests and we have heard of prayers of confession but the other three are just as a part of a Christian's prayer life.

Praise, like David, we should keep praise for God on our lips (Psalms 35:11). Our praise should be honest and from the heart (Psalms 103:1-5, 20-22), and continue to offer up praise (Hebrews 13:15). Songs of a spiritual nature are another way of offering up prayers of praise. I told you before that prayer is not just an Christian act, often thought of done on the knees) but more of an attitude. We need to stay in an attitude of prayer all day, giving up prayers of all kinds. Try to find ways to connect with God in praise.

Do you know God? Would you like to? All you have to do is ask Him. If you would like to know how just email me at the address on the left.

Dear Gracious and Benevolent God,

We offer up praise and thanksgiving to You. You sent Your Son to live among us, teach us, and to die for us. We humbly offer You our thanks. We thank You for all You do for us. from the food on our tables, the clothes on our backs, our family and friends, and the opportunity to worship You.
Thank you for the life you have given me. You are the one True God and with that You brought me to You so I may worship and live with You for all eternity.

We praise Your name for all creation, for the knowledge we have of You, and the chance to honor You through our lives.

Go with us and help us keep and attitude of prayer. Our hearts full of praise and thanksgiving.

In Your Son's Name.
Amen.