Because He Lives…
The Easter Sunday Message from
General Secretary Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain
“Because He Lives…
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive
He bled and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives
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” (He
Lives, Alfred H. Ackley)
On this Easter Sunday, some of us may have a melody in our
hearts, a song, a hymn, a prayer, a verse that brings us joy and elevates our
praise. He Lives celebrates the joy and confidence in serving a Risen Savior!
This hymn will likely be included in many worship services all around the world
and sung in many languages. As we celebrate Easter with family and friends, let
us pray for those who are alone, shut in, and abandoned. Pray for the strangers
and those who feel like strangers in their land. Make a joyful sound unto the
Lord, I Need You To Survive, and let the words of this song enrich our
fellowship and friendships. As ambassadors for Christ, and as Jesus shared, let
us do greater things in His name. We are the hands and feet of Christ bringing
comfort, hugs, groceries, and sharing the Good News in our actions and the
ministry of presence.
On Resurrection Sunday, let us pray for the marginalized,
the refugee, and the exiled. As the body of Christ, let us act justly, love
kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). As believers, we have the
Blessed Assurance that Jesus is Mine. We can be sure that He Arose because our
life experience shouts, You Can’t Make Me Doubt Him, I Know Too Much About Him!
During the turmoil, disappointment, corruption, and chaos, and an ever-changing
world that seems to outpace our minds and hearts, sometimes diminishing our
capacity for self-care, self-love, and loving our neighbors, may a Sweet, Sweet
Spirit abide in our hearts and homes. Our Hope Is Built On Nothing Less Than
Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness. We can be selfless and have a greater capacity
for love because we know, The Blood Never Loses Its Power and How Great Thou
Art.
On this Resurrection Sunday, sing, pray, and praise God!
Shout Hallelujah! On this Resurrection Sunday, Praise God from whom all
blessings flow…share the best story, tell everyone about Jesus’ sacrificial love
that cleansed us, forgave us, died for us, reconciled us to God, kept His
promise, and got up Sunday Morning; I Know My Redeemer Liveth! Triumphantly and
kindly share your joy that did not come from this world but from our Lord and
Savior, He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands. Sing your way through the day;
live in the wonder and awe of a Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Tell the story of
the Power, Wonder-Working Power in the Blood of the Lamb. Jesus is our Bright
and Morning Star, Alpha, and Omega; we may celebrate Easter daily!
“ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has
said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:38). Even
before His betrayal, unjust trial, crucifixion, and burial, Jesus boldly
proclaimed that anyone who believes in Him would have living water. Today, let
us celebrate Resurrection Sunday by sharing the overflow of living water of
love, kindness, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope for yourself, your family,
your community, and our world.
Enjoy the resurrecting power of the Holy Spirit on this
Resurrection Sunday. He Lives!
Thinking of you, praying with and for you,
Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain
General Secretary
American Baptist Churches USA