Rick Lee James shares how a teen named Stephen died in a car accident, and his grieving friend wrote the song "How He Loves" in response. The congregation sings it repeatedly, emphasizing God's love as an all-encompassing force.
Chapters
Rick Lee James was in a prayer meeting with several other people at his church, and he so desired for the teens at his church to really know what it meant to live a life of fullness for God, to really just understand what it means to live in the power of Christ. And he said in that prayer meeting, he said, "Lord, if it meant me dying, I would give my life if it meant these teens would come alive for you." That night Stephen died in a car accident, and his best friend was the guy that wrote this song. In all of his grief, the next morning he wrote up and he just put pen to paper, trying desperately to deal with his own grief, but also to try to think of what it must mean for Stephen to be so wrapped in the love of God in that moment. And he started writing these words: He is jealous for me. Love is a hurricane. I am a tree bending beneath the wind. Beneath the weight of His wind of mercy. The chorus just proclaims, He loves us, oh how He loves us. And it's a good affirmation tonight because, you know, I have nothing against other religions of the world, but you know, on paper, in the scripture, it's supposed to be that, you know, really Christianity is the only one that has no class system. Everybody's the same, no matter how much money they make, no matter what race they are, male, female, slave, free. It's just the fact that he loves us. So if you know this song, want to sing along with us tonight, this is going to be our final song. I thank you so much for being here with us, and we're just going to end it putting all of our focus upon God, the love that he has for his children. Like a hurricane. I am a tree bending beneath the weight of its wind and the sea. All of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipse my glory, and I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your connection It's love. How he loves us so. How he loves us. How he loves us so.
Oh, how he loves his worshipers. That we are his worshipers. He's our Christ, brought to redemption by the grace in his hands. He'll raise every third option for all to end. So heaven leaves the left flank a sloppy He loves us! Oh how he loves us! Oh how he loves— oh how he loves us! He loves us!
Oh how he loves us! Oh how He loves us! Oh how He loves— We need you! We need you!
Oh how we need you! Oh how we need you! Oh how we need you!
We love you, Lord.
We love you. Oh, how we love you. Oh, how we love you. Oh, how we love you.
Oh, Lord, this is our benediction tonight. We are thankful that you love us. There is nothing good in this world that has not come to us from the Father of Lights. Tonight is a celebration. It's been a pickin' party, but it's also been a time, Lord, where we have seen the way that you have gifted many different people in many different ways for many different purposes. But it's all for the kingdom, and we are grateful for you being here tonight, Lord. You are the guest of honor. You are the audience that we most wanna please, and so I pray I pray you would keep everyone safe as they travel home tonight. Let them have good times with their families, good fellowship with their friends. Thank you for them being here and helping to support the cause of World Vision. And I pray for those children that need sponsors tonight, that Lord, you would bring people that could meet the need and could help them, Lord. We thank you for your presence here tonight. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Now to him who is able to do to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. To him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.
Thank you for being here tonight. Thank you for the Clifton Opera House for having us. Thank you, Second Nature Sound, Kids Helping Kids, Daniel Dye, the Miller Road Band. Most of all, thank you, Lord. Thank you. God bless you guys.
