September 11, 2016 (Sunday)
There are three great reasons to praise God: Creation, Providence, and Redemption.
All around us is the grandeur of creation. Science has opened up the heavens for us to understand the solar system, galaxies, and universe. The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows forth His handiwork. Providence is the evidence of God’s hand guiding history and working with us in our individual lives. What we do without His daily presence? Redemption is what God has provided for us through the death, burial and resurrection of His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, let us praise Him! Praise Him!
PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM! Lyrics: Fanny Crosby Music: Chester G. Allen 1869 Refrain: Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song! Verses: Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory; Strength and honor give to His holy Name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children, In His arms He carries them all day long. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died. He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified. Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows, Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King! Christ is coming! over the world victorious, Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong. |
LISTEN (The Celebration Choir)
Fifteen years ago today the twin towers in New York City fell crashing to the ground, as powerful passenger planes, loaded with fuel and passengers, crashed into them and also the Pentagon, and, but for the bravery of passengers aboard a fourth plane who attempted to gain control, forcing it to crash into an open field, either the White House or the Capitol would have been a target. The tragedy is very much with us. Many people died that day and many more have died since. People in many nations are feeling the effects of senseless terrorism. Let us pray for all those directly affected by this awful turn of events, and let us pray for peace in this old world. Can we still praise God in this kind of world? By all means. Let us be like the prophet Habakkuk who was experiencing similar days, when he said, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls–Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NKJV).
Click here to read a beautiful 9/11 prayer.