Grace & Peace,

Welcome to March! In this is the year of new beginnings and in this 3 rd month of the turnover year we must ask ourselves, “Where is the focus for what are we preparing for in this New Year?” There are several things that some might be looking forward to. Some are preparing for “March Madness,” daylight savings time (3/8), Saint Patrick’s Day (3/17) or the beginning of spring (3/20).

All that is nice, but the real reason for the season is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Yeah, you may say it snuck up on you, but isn’t it amazing that it falls in the third month, the Trinity. It usually comes in April, but I believe that since it’s a new beginning, God is strategically setting order for the body of believers. The fact that (what you say Fred Hammond?) He Lives , makes it worth giving God the praise. We must rise in our thinking and association—watch the connection: Whenever you hear of salvation, trust that it is because of the sacrifice of life and the resurrection of The Great I Am. Our song of praise should be daily, no matter how things seem.

Look, take some time and reflect on your life today. Can you imagine what you could have been if it was not for what He did. It is time to recognize for REAL that you cannot triumph without the one who has declared victory over all. Who else can go to hell and snatch keys from the Devil himself? Who else can deliver you in the past tense for your future trials.

As you continue to say to yourself that you can do all things through Christ, don’t get weary in well doing; Don’t forget your song of Praise! Lord I will lift mine eyes to the hills knowing that my help comes from you (Richard Smallwood, Total Praise) —the hill of Calvary. Smallwood made a song about that hill, surely He died on Calvary . Know that it was for you. This is the hour that you have to rise to the occasion and the challenge put before you. Because of the death of the Savior, we must sing His praises, give thanks in all things and be grateful for the season that you are in.

If Jesus, hadn’t risen to the occasion, we would perish and suffer when The Lord cracks the sky. Ok looking at it right now, we would never make it! If He had not risen for the occasion, we would not have been healed from all sickness and diseases, our minds would not have been renewed, and we would all be on our way to the lake of fire. The weight of the world might seem like it is on our shoulders, but it was indeed on Christ’s whole body! When we being to complain about our situation, let us remind ourselves of His situation and ask ourselves, “How does that compare to what I have to deal with?” In all things, continue to give thanks, praise and honor. THANK YOU LORD for Your son Emmanuel who gave the seven last words (ok it was more than that) and shed His precious on the cross blood for the world.

Amazing isn’t it? How one person can give hope through death? To the world, it doesn’t make sense, but to believers it was a miracle that changed our lives, saved our lives and gave us New life (says the great Pastor John P. Kee).

Well what do you think the gospel music is about? Come on Donnie (Mcklurkin), sing it with conviction: Lived and He loved me, Died and He saved me, Buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified, freed me forever one day He’s coming back- Glorious Day! Be certain and rest assured, because not only did Jesus pay it all, He covered it all when He was sentenced. Even David prophesied in Psalm 16:10 that The Holy One (Jesus) will be resurrected without corruption or decay and when it came to pass it was the the biggest “I told you so” ever—lol.

For whatever the reason is that you believe He died for you, don’t let it be in vain. Rise to the occasion and sing a song of praise! I heard Ms. Twinkie Clark rise in song with a profound statement He Was Hung Up For My Hang Ups and yet some of us still complain about what’s ahead instead of reminding ourselves of what was already done.

As you prepare for Psalm Sunday (3/16) and Good Friday (3/21), remember that the best days of your life began on the day He got up with all power in His hand, beaming of light and glory—Resurrection/Easter Sunday.

Praise the Name of Jesus! Celebrate our King! Sing a new song for all that He’s done! The betrayal that caused Jesus His life was no mistake; it was no mistake that they crucified our Lord and it was definitely no mistake that God allowed it to happen. Every moment of pain that you suffer does not compare to the shedding of His blood, and because it will never loose it’s power, you have the power to make it. Rise up and sing!

Dedicated to my sister Belinda Y. Baldwin who is singing a new song in Heaven today!