|
 Some years the Oreana Christian Church (my home
congregation) would host the service, some years we would join the
Presbyterians in Argenta, and other years we would join the
Methodists in Cisco.
Truthfully, I have never really been a “morning person” so I did not
jump out of bed on those cold Easter mornings with a lot of
enthusiasm! My parents and grandparents dragged me to those sunrise
services, but I got to tell you that when the sunshine flowed in and
through those stained glass windows while the people of God sang
some of those great old hymns like “Up from the Grave He Arose,” I
didn’t feel tired anymore. I felt ALIVE and THANKFUL and HOPEFUL and
VICTORIOUS!
Those Resurrection Day Sunrise Services of my youth remind me of the
Victory we have through our Lord Jesus Christ… for He Is Risen!
It’s not a victory that I have fought for and won. It’s not a
victory that institutions and governments made by man have provided.
It’s not a victory that we purchase through the “almighty dollar,”
or through good behavior.
Christ, the Resurrected One, gives us the Victory!
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This Easter, let the light of God’s redeeming love
shine into your heart as it shines through the stained glass windows
of a thousand churches during a thousand Easter Morning Worship
Services.
Through Christ darkness and death and guilt and shame have been
defeated. Light and Life has come and we stand Victorious. All
because of Jesus!
The words of the Apostle Paul bring us much joy: “The sting of death
is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who
gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my
beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the
work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is
not in vain.…” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
It is my prayer that on Easter morning… not necessarily as early as
sunrise… but sometime on Easter Morning… that you might rise with
purpose, enter into a church door somewhere in Logan County, and
celebrate in Faith and Gratitude the Victory that Jesus has won for
you. How better could you celebrate? |
