Click here for The Easter Song,sung by the 2nd Chapter of Acts
Easter Song
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be born again
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead
The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead
Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be healed right now
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing
Christ, He will reveal it now
The angels, they all surround us
And they are ministering Jesus' power
Quickly now, reach out and receive it
For this could be your glorious hour
Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
Hallelujah!
Reposted from Easter Day, 2010...
I wonder how many of you sang the familiar hymn, "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today...Alleluia!" at your Easter service this morning. I know I did, and I cherished every word and phrase of this beloved song. It tells the whole story of Christ's resurrection... I don't think Charles Wesley will mind if I reprint the words here for you to ponder:
"Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won; Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise. Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where,O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, He all doth save, Allleluia!
Where's thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise; Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia!"
I will borrow the words to another familiar hymn to further my point today:
"Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus, my Saviour!
He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign!
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!"
(Christ Arose, by Robert Lowry, 1826-1899)
In reciting these words for you above, I am stating my battle cry..."Christ the Lord is Risen Today"..."Where, O death, is now thy sting? Where's thy victory, O grave?"...and "Death cannot keep his prey...Jesus, my Saviour...He tore the bars away...Jesus, my Lord!"......"He arose a VICTOR from the dark domain, and HE LIVES FOREVER WITH HIS SAINTS TO REIGN!"
We have a victorious Savior...and because Christ is a living Savior...we too shall overcome this life and be resurrected to life eternal. But we don't have to wait until we die to have eternal life...That is something that starts right now...but, as our pastor taught us this morning...
"We have to die first to have a resurrection."...We have to die to self, die to the desires of this world, die to the things that hold us back from living the life God intended us to live...bad habits, fear, doubt, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, bitterness... we need to let these unhappy feelings, memories, and unwholesome thoughts perish from our minds and hearts, and instead embrace a resurrection of love, forgiveness, hope, trust, and faith in God...and
"let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..."
(Colossians 3:15-16)
We have a choice...we can continue to live as though we have no hope of the resurrection...or we can embrace the resurrected life right now...by faith in our risen Saviour, Jesus Christ...Who LIVES...and is preparing a place for you and me right now so that we can be with Him forever in Paradise...(see John 14: 1-6)
I've already made my choice...what about you???
Hi Pam, thank you for this beautiful Easter reflection! Where would we be without Easter? I shudder to even think about it. Dying to self is a daily thing; something our flesh wars against, yet in Jesus we do have the victory. The old Easter hymns yo shared are amazing--so much depth and meaning in the words.
ReplyDeleteBlessings! Happy Easter! Christ is Risen!!
You know I've made my choice, Pamela. May we live each day as an Easter time, rife with the promise of new life and new beginnings.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
Pam, thank you for sharing this post on Easter again. Like Martha, I've made my choice, so thankful that Jesus dwells within me. By the way, the two old hymns you shared were two of the hymns we sang yesterday--the old hymns truly speak to my heart.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
Hi Pam, I am glad you posted the song Christ the Lord is Risen Today. I grew up in a Methodist church and we sang that song every Easter. I miss hearing it. I also went to Calvary Chapel in the 70's and familiar with Keith Green. I posted a picture of a water color I did in my Bible reflecting He has Risen. Your comment section is not set for URl but my Google site has the link to my website. Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteLoved your words Pam...We have a choice. Oh yes my friend we do have a choice. Our Pastor said yesterday morning that most Christians today lived as Jesus were still dead. WOW! I am so thankful that I serve a risen Savior. Hope your day was great dear lady. If you don't mind would you send me your email address. I can't seem to get yours to come up. creationsbycindy@nefcom.net
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings, Cindy
I don't know how a true believer can live like Jesus is dead...there is such victory in Jesus!!! "He's alive...and I'm forgiven...heaven's gates are opened wide! He's alive!!" Praise God. I sent you an email...
DeleteI love Keith Green's testimony about surrendering his life to Jesus, and I love his songs. As I child I looked forward to singing Up from the grave He arose on Easter morning!
ReplyDeleteOh, me too, Karen!!! We would sing the verse real slow, and then the chorus would be very exciting and much more up-beat and loud!! Loved it(still do). And Keith Green is very special to me. My son (who is in heaven) loved Keith's music and was truly drawn closer to the Lord through his testimony and music when he was a teen. I know they are singing in heaven together today!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this again, Pam. I'm ever so thankful that I said yes to Jesus.
ReplyDeleteMay we live each and every day with the living reality that Jesus is very much alive and active in our lives and world!
Blessings!
I know this Keith Green song very well.
ReplyDeleteHappy Resurrection Sunday, Pamela!
What a glorious day! Happy Easter, Pamela!
ReplyDeleteOh what an amazing post on Easter, Pam. Thank you for sharing it again. We sang the two hymns you noted at church yesterday. What an amazing way to celebrate and worship with Lord!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Wonderful post. I'm so very glad I've made my choice. I pray for many others to do the same. Hugs and blessings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifu7l Easter reflection Pam! PRAISE THE LORD HE HAS RISEN! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDelete