Because He Lives

Bill and Gloria Gaither are pioneers in Christian Gospel music. Together, their musical career has produced lyrics and music scores for over 700 Christian songs … many very familiar to you such as ‘Because He Lives’, ‘A Sinner Saved By Grace’, ‘Something Beautiful’, ‘There’s Something About That Name’, ‘He Touched Me’ … just to name a few.

‘Because He Lives’ is one of my personal favorites. Written by Gloria in 1971 during some personally challenging times for the Gaithers, this song offers hope to many of us because of its connection between the Resurrection and taking us to a ‘life worth living’.

‘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 Savior lives.’

Jesus died on a cross for us. He died so we could live. His resurrection proves that, even though the cross should have been the end of our salvation, it was only the beginning. After all, Jesus’ last words were “It Is Finished’, not that He was finished. His work, through us, was just starting.

In our Cross The World brochure, we ask the question: ‘We all know what the cross is … OR, DO WE? Do we remember that the cross is an instrument of death that brings life?’

Charles Stanley has this to say about the cross:

‘What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but think about what it represented in Christ’s day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.

Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified and resurrected? According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.

Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was … an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.’

What a powerful message for this Easter season! We are reminded that He lives so that we can also, because of God’s gift to us. Jesus took away our sin and gave salvation in its place, at a tremendous cost to Him. We have a promise for tomorrow because we know His love and isn’t that a wonderful place to be?

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We’ve received so many awesome testimonials. They, too, tell the story of God’s love and promise for the future.

‘Thank you so much for this amazing ministry. I feel so blessed to be part of spreading your crosses.’

Geralyn ~ PA

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‘I was given one of your crosses when my youngest son died 3 years ago. It had a profound effect on me. I am sharing the crosses that you send with my church with others. I pray that they touch others as it did me.’

Mary ~ MN

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‘On the day I received your cross and the card, passed on from a severely disabled woman, my heart was filled with joy and I felt more blessed in that moment than I have in this entire year that has passed since Covid became part of our daily routine in life. Her name is Tonya. And I am going to pass this cross on like the card says to a wonderful dear friend, a missionary friend of my niece who, since Covjd began, has not been allowed to travel back to Los Angeles. Quarantined for the last year. God is with her, and now so will be your cross as a reminder to never lose faith. Thank you whoever you may be for bringing me out of my darkness and back into His light.’

Donna ~ CA

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‘I gave a cross to a young butcher at the local supermarket. He thanked me and said he was ‘searching’. I shared testimony with him. He said he was to receive a Bible and I encouraged reading the Gospel of John first. Experiences like this would never happen without a cross from your ministry. Thank you for your fine work. There is obvious love and dignity in the making of the crosses and how they are mailed.’

Joy ~ MN

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And, these powerful words received throughout the last months from Brothers in Christ, David and Greg from CA:

‘Your cross ministry is very appreciated. God bless you!’

‘Thank you so much for your ministry. Thank you for your prayers. We are praying for you. At the Huntington Beach Pier in Huntington Beach, CA, we are giving away hundreds of crosses and Christian literature. To God’s glory!! Blessings.’

‘Thank you so much for your ministry. You have brought joy to hundreds and hundreds of people here in California. Blessings.’

‘Greetings and blessings in Jesus’ name. Praise God for you and this ministry. Brother Greg and I are so blessed. Sometimes at the Huntington Beach Pier Plaza, we hand out 75 crosses in one day. Praise Almighty God! Thank you for your ministry. We pray for you. Blessings and encouragement.’

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