The Eternal Praise of Easter

A Hurting Word...

Easter--it's in the air everywhere. The first blossoms of spring, the greeting card displays, the Easter egg dye kits, the fashion parade, a visit to see the Easter bunny, and perhaps an annual visit to church...that's Easter! No, it's not--that's the trappings of Easter as seen through the eyes of earth! Come with me to the Well where heaven's real Easter is in place...and a parade is about to start!

Crowds line the road. There's excitement in the air, for the KING is coming--He who will rule His people with grace, power and majesty; He who will set His people free from opression, obsession and control. It's a time to praise--deliverance has come! Palm branches wave; people shout, "Hosanna to the King!" It's a moment of majesty--BUT that's all it is--majesty for only a moment. Many disappointed parade routers just a few days later cry, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" The fickle crowd didn't really know who He was--we do! He's the eternal Lord of glory and to Him at this glorious season, we lift our eternal praise--for WE know WHO He is!

A Helping Word...or Two!

He is Lord of Love!

"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so"--we've sung it since childhood. But it's not just a kid song--it's an eternal song of praise for a loving Christ who has revealed His love deep within our souls. It's a relational love that causes us to draw near to a loving Savior who forms a friendship with us beyond any earthly friendship we know. It's an unconditional love that causes us to respond in praise to the One who knows all about us and loves us still.

And what do we do with this love so freely bestowed upon us? We show it to a world filled with hatred, anger and resentment. We bring His love into the emotional turmoil of a thousand troubled persons we meet throughout our lives. We exhibit His love when it's not the normal thing to do--for the Lord of Love lives within and grants us grace even in difficult times. Let His love shine from your life today--and praise Him forevermore!

He is Lord of Light!

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine"--another song from childhood. It's the light that comes from an encounter with the Light of the World--the One who endured a moment of darkness on the Cross as even His own Father turned from the sight of the sin placed on His Son's back. But it didn't stay dark for long, for with the dawn of the third day came the Resurrection Light of God to embrace and literally enliven the Son of God! He's the Light of the World--and we lift up His Name in adoration and eternal praise.

And what do we do with this Light so freely bestowed upon us? We share it with a world filled with darkness, sin, and death. We take the Light into the darkest spot on earth; we shine it for the darkest soul we meet, missionaries as are we all. His Light now goes around the earth 24 hours a day through the exciting technology that brings you this devotion! Cyberspace is not filled with filth--sure, it's there--but in the middle of it all shines the Light of the gospel; His servants, proudly shining their lights even in the night of the NET! Shine on, child of God--hold your head high. You belong to the Lord of Light--and His Light will shine forevermore!

He is Lord of Life!

"Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord to Thee"--a classic song of the church proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives. Jesus was the prime example of a life given to God. He came to earth with the cross in view; His life would be given as a ransom for all. He served mankind with a whole heart. He loved God with a whole heart--He WAS God, and He formed for us an example to follow. He laid down His life that we might live.

And what do we do with this Life so freely given? We embrace it as our own; then we entrust our own lives back to Him. He gave so that we might give. And until we know the full surrender of a life totally dedicated to Jesus Christ, we will never truly be able to praise this Lord of Life. He demands "our life, our love, our all." Can we do less than praise Him with our entire being--mind, soul, body, spirit? He is worthy of an all-encompassing praise from the people He loves. And to that end, we lay our lives at His feet, ready for the Master's use, an offering of eternal praise to Him whom we love and worship forevermore!

And so how do you celebrate Easter? Go ahead and enjoy your family traditions--pose with the Easter bunny, parade off a new outfit, dye those Easter eggs and dine with that hefty ham dinner--but remember, THAT'S not really Easter! Easter is the Resurrection of our Lord--the Lord of love, the Lord of Light and the Lord of Life. To Him we bring our praise forevermore--the eternal praise of Easter!

His Healing Words

Bible Gateway.com - Matthew+21:1-11">Jesus Enters Jerusalem

"I will praise thee forever, because thou hast done it; and I will wait on thy name;
for it is good before thy saints (Psalm 52:9 KJV)."

"Lord, I often approach Thy Throne with my petitions; today I approach Thee with my praise. Receive it for who You are in MY life--You are love, light and life to me, and I praise You, my resurrected Lord, with my whole heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Featured links

The Indescribable Christ!

"Twas the Night before Easter!
A Christian parody by Peggie

The Crucifixion and Resurrection--outstanding presentation

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A place to enjoy other devotionals!

I'm blessed with a wonderful "virtual web family," many close friends who not only help to keep me sane and smiling, but write wonderful devotionals. Enjoy their spiritual insights--and their sites as well!

A Virtual Web Family (by Charlene Fairchild)

Pastors Wives' Prayer and Praise Page
Prayer requests, daily devotion--everyone welcome!

Treasure Hunter--a devo for pre-Christians and Christians needing encouragement

Peggie's List of Devotional Resources

With thanks to Songs of Praise for the beautiful music playing on this page.
The song is entitled "The Ballad of the Cross" by Elton Smith and Larry Holder.
(Not hearing music? You need Crescendo!)

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