Archive for the ‘God’ Category

Because He Lives

Bill Gaither wrote the famous song we usually sing on Easter Sunday morning in our churches called Because He lives (lyrics below).

I am not normally a southern gospel fan, nor a big fan of hymns played to piano and organ (love them with the guitar), but ole Billy G tore it up this morning.

I know that Because He Lives I can…

  • be the man God wants me to be as a husband, father, son, employee, leader, etc.
  • overcome many obstacles
  • live in victory
  • pursue His dreams for me
  • make a difference in this world

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” - 1 Corinthians 15:55

Christ overcame the grave! 

    Because He Lives Lyrics 

    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!

      Chorus
      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!

      Chorus
      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 vict’ry,
    I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

      Chorus
      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!

Posted by Eddie Smith on March 23rd, 2008 No Comments

Perfect Love Drives Out Fear

Love is a very abstract concept to me unless I can engage my senses with it or attach some kind of tangible analogy to it.  I can understand the feeling of love and the labor of love.  I can even understand what things I can do to show love to others.  But it’s hard for me to sometimes grasp the concept of love…especially if I am seeking the standard for perfect love.

I have no trouble understanding fear, because I know how I feel when I have fear; I feel afraid.  I may shake.  I may bring about worry if I am afraid.  I have full awareness of fear.

For years I have struggled with this verse in the Bible because I have been unable to connect perfect love driving out fear:

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

I have recently however had an epiphany about this verse. 

When we substitute the name “Jesus” for the word “love” here, we can see that Jesus is the standard for perfect love.

I have recently learned and understood that the antonym for fear is peace.  When Jesus came to earth to live among us, He came as the Prince of Peace.  If we have peace, fear cannot hang out there.

If we are seeking peace, which casts out all fear, we are really seeking Jesus.  If we want to seek Jesus and love in a tangible way, then we have to get in His presence.  If we experience His presence then the feeling of fear cannot camp out there.

Posted by Eddie Smith on March 22nd, 2008 No Comments