What a wonderful God we serve!
This Resurrection Week has been one like no other in my lifetime. I was blessed to preach in four different churches across Northeast and East Central Alabama this Resurrection Week. Each church was different, with a different emphasis, a different anointing, and a different result. But in every service, I was blessed in a different & special way.
I think this Resurrection Week was significant and special to me due to the fact that we were forbidden to gather last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, we were robbed of our Palm Sunday Services. Robbed of our Good Friday Services. Robbed of our Resurrection Sunday Services. Robbed of months of in person gathering with fellow believers. Robbed of the opportunity of ministering to and preaching to people in person.
While yes, 2020 caused the church to leave the building, and forced us to reach out to God for new ways of doing ministry that made many of us very uncomfortable, yet it caused me to find a deeper appreciation for those times when we could gather together again and sing,
“I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my pain….”
Pastor Jeremy Shephard led us in this chorus this morning, and it blessed me in a way like I’ve never been blessed before. When we came to the phrase in the verse that said, “I’m blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure…” I thought I might just get raptured out of the building!
I tell people all the time, “satan does not have the power to sustain an attack against your life forever; and God loves us too much to allow satan to beat our brains out forever.” Because we ARE blessed beyond any curse, any disease, any pandemic…because His promises endure forever.
It’s true.
Out of all the religions in the world, ours is the only one with eternal life, a crown of righteousness and a supernatural resurrection attached to it. Not just for it’s founder, but for “all those who love His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” (Emphasis mine)
Let’s enjoy this season of Resurrection. It doesn’t end because Resurrection Day ends. Yes, I praise God that even though we didn’t get to gather last year and the resurrection was still in our hearts, I for one am glad I was able to gather with the believers at Oasis of White Plains, Covenant Christ Church, Genesis Worship Center and The Well Family Worship Center all in the same week. In person. Live and in living color. To experience with others the power of His resurrection.
Let me remind you once again, just in case you haven’t heard:
He IS Risen!
