Rom 8:11 KJV But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The Greek meaning for “quicken” is to “make alive, give life, quicken”. I believe this quickening is not only for our future, but also for the present. Often we need to be refreshed, rejuvenated and invigorated. Webster’s dictionary defines “quicken” as “to bring alive, stimulate or revive, to come to life; to enter into a phase of active growth and development”.
Meditate on that scripture and let this truth come alive in you. When feeling down or ill, ask the Lord to quicken you and restore your health and strength. And when it is your turn to “die,” as a born-again, blood-bought believer you will continue to live on-–only in a different location. The famous evangelist D. L. Moody understood that having the Spirit of God, (Jesus living in him) meant He would live forever. He said;
“Someday you will read in the papers that D. l. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now; I shall have gone up higher, that is all, out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal-a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body.”
The song “Because He Lives” was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Recently I discovered the story behind the song. The Lord gave them this song during a very difficult season in their life.
“During the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, they went through a rather traumatic time. While Bill was recovering from a bout with mononucleosis, he and Gloria and other members in their church family were the objects of false accusations and belittlement. It was a special time of fear and torment for Gloria. With all the craziness surrounding her family, the thought of bringing another child into the world was taking its toll on her.
She remembers sitting in their living room in agony and fear on New Year’s Eve. Across the nation, the educational system was being infiltrated with the “God is dead” idea, while drug abuse and racial tension were increasing. Then, suddenly and quite unexpectedly, she was filled with a sweet, calming peace. Like an attentive mother bending over her baby, it was as if her heavenly Father saw His Gloria and came to her rescue. Her panic gave way to a calmness and an assurance that only the Lord can give. She was assured that the future would be just fine, left in God’s hands. Both Bill and Gloria remembered that the power of the blessed Holy Spirit seemed to come to their aid. The power of Christ’s resurrection was reaffirmed in their lives and in their thoughts. To Gloria, it was “life conquering death” as joy once again permeated the fearful circumstances of their lives.
All of this gave rise to one of the most famous Southern Gospel songs of our time, “Because He Lives.” The first verse is a presentation of the gospel of Christ, reminding us of His death, burial, and resurrection. In the second verse we see the life of a new baby and sense the assurance that Christ alone can give. The little one can have a victorious life because Christ lives. As we realize that God holds the future and makes life worth living for all who trust in Him, we can face tomorrow with all the uncertainty it brings.” (Excerpts from Courage and Strength for His Child: “Because He Lives” By Lindsay Terry)
BECAUSE HE LIVES
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour 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
Yes, Jesus is alive! And, without the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (the whole package), we would not be able to live the victorious life. He made it all possible. God’s grace is sufficient and He can refresh and “quicken” you when needed. Let’s praise Him every day for living and dying for us. In Jesus you have a bright future. You are able to overcome and each day can be better because—
“He’s Alive!!”
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
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