"Above All Else"
Just as the angels said to the women who came to see Jesus' tomb, "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said" (Matthew 28:6) is the same Lord ascended and ruling on His throne. Jesus Christ is above all else, He is the King of Kings until all His enemies are put under His feet. (Psalm 68) When Christ ascended on high He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men. (Ephesians 4:8) Jesus reign on high will be until that last day when He comes back on the clouds to judge all the earth. Jesus overcame the power of death that held the world in captivity and bondage and rose from the dead. There is no limit to His power. Those spoils of His resurrection and life are gifts that He gives to you and me for building up the people of God and His church. Jesus promises spiritual gifts according to His measure of the gifts and the grace He gives. As you know our Lord is the Good Shepherd and He cares deeply for His own sheep and those that have wondered away. Yes, Jesus has all power and authority but He is also gentile and lowly. We can learn from Him and He makes our burden light.
Because of Jesus reign, He can give us gifts. One of the gifts we can all use is the gift of our voices. Psalm 47:1 tells us to shout out praise to the Lord. When you shout be respectful of how loud you shout when others are around. "Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most high is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth." (Psalm 47:1) The Lord promises "to subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet." This is because the Lord cares for His people and He wants to provide you His protection under His wings. Don't walk proudly but walk humbly because the Lord promises grace to the humble and in due time will lift you up.
The same Lord whose rose from the dead and reigns on high will not forget us and He promises us an inheritance. (Psalm 47:4) This inheritance is reserved in heaven for you. Now may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord till life everlasting.
