A Prayer To Remember You Are Never Alone

By Meg Bucher, as written and posted on Your Daily Prayer daily devotional

“‘I am the Alpha and Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” - Revelation 1:8 ESV

Among Us is the name of a popular game in my tween’s world right now, so the phrase is at the top of my mind. But it’s also been an encouraging reminder of the constant presence of Jesus. The world is still battling a pandemic, theories abound as to the right way to curb the spread, and we are racing to distribute a vaccine so that we can return to our normal lives. It’s easy to feel alone today. But we know the truth, Christ is among us. During this time of unrest and unknown, the state of our souls is on full display. If our hope was cemented in people, isolation and quarantine have stripped them from our lives to leave us feeling alone. Many have faced the frailty of human health, and the pain of loss. Plans have been canceled, rescheduled, and canceled again. Birthdays and holidays are being celebrated alone, for the second year in a row. The loss of control over day-to-day life has left many of us frustrated, anxious, fearful, and depressed.

Our faith was never meant to be cemented in anything other than Christ alone. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) The Alpha and Omega means he is the beginning and the end. Jesus was with the Father in the beginning. John wrote, “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing that has been made was made.” (John 1:3 NIV) We can be confident God not only knows what is happening on earth, but He remains sovereign and omnipotent throughout all of time. He is in control. God is good. His plans for us are good.

Perhaps the hardest for us is the unknown. Though God knows what lies ahead of us, we do not. Matthew wrote, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44) It’s hard to hold onto the hope we have in Jesus when our world is crumbling around us. When everything seems unpredictable and the situation gets worse instead of better no matter how ardently we are praying for healing and restoration, faith is hard. We have to let go. The mirage of control is a temptress that will lead us in frustrating circles. We are called to submit our lives to Christ and allow His power and strength and love to flow through us. When we obediently set down our urge to know, control and over plan, we experience peace. Peace that surpasses all understanding, even in a pandemic.

Let’s pray now to remind ourselves that we are never alone.
Father,

As we meditate on what it means to release complete control of our lives to You, while simultaneously doing the hard work You have called us to do for Your Kingdom, we ask for Your Peace and clarity. Give us the wisdom we need to navigate this strange life and let the skills we learn during this time make us holier people who have drawn closer to Christ.

Father, remind us to take our thoughts captive and remain close to You through prayer. Though we are literally isolated and quarantined from each other, in a way we were never meant to live, Christ is with us. In Him, we have the strength, joy, and peace we need to keep moving forward in Your purpose for our lives.

Father, You provide for us and sustain us. In a loud world, inspire our hearts to be quiet. May we faithfully and obediently carve time out for You, so You can prepare us for what we do not know is yet to come.

May our hope ever be, in Christ alone. He is among us.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

Tunnel Vision

[taken from Todays Devotional – online by Thea Leunk, “Tunnel Vision” ]

https://todaydevotional.com/devotions/tunnel-vision-2013-06-25#__hstc=229090947.0857559eb6e833f3b3e83b020db5f0c2.1617983009991.1617983009991.1617983009991.1&__hssc=229090947.1.1617983009992&__hsfp=1786917382&_ga=2.8359282.1550549586.1617983008-1793541056.1617983008

Tunnel Vision

by Thea Leunk

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 6:8-23

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

It’s called tunnel vision—focusing on what is right in front of us, and not being able to get a broader perspective. Elisha knew quite a few people with that problem, people who reacted in foolish ways because they just couldn’t see the whole picture.

The king of Aram couldn’t see beyond his security breach to realize that someone bigger than a spy was involved. Elisha’s servant couldn’t see beyond the army of Syria to the armies of the Lord. The king of Israel couldn’t see beyond a captured enemy to know how to respond peacefully.

Their blindness leaves us wondering if we are as blind. Is there anything we are not seeing?

What Elisha sees is a world run not by rulers and armies but by the Lord. A prophet sees that this world is under the authority of God and that God’s power, the only power grounded in love, is what really protects us.

To see with the eyes of faith is to see that God is at work not only in our daily life but also in the arena of battlefields and city streets. No matter where we are or what impossible circumstances we face, we can look beyond our short-sighted fears to see those who are with us and to rest in the certainty that the God who is with us is far greater than anyone who is against us (Romans 8:31-39).

Prayer:

Father God, Open our eyes, Lord, so that we can see you. Give us the vision to see your power at work in our lives and in our world. In Jesus precious name - Amen.

When Life Crumbles

By: Dr. Charles Stanley, as written for and posted on In Touch Ministries

Psalm 46

In those frightening times when our well-ordered life appears to disintegrate around us, what are we to do? Today’s psalm gives valuable advice that can steady us in the midst of chaos.

Remember that “God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)—and that security is found in Him, not in this world. Troubles will come, but we can rest in the knowledge that He is sovereign over every situation and will bring about His good purposes for those who seek refuge in Him. 

Next, our heavenly Father admonishes us to stop striving and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). In other words, we’re to rest in Him and the truths of His Word instead of fretting, panicking, and trying to control or manipulate the situation toward our desired end.

Peace comes through trusting in the Lord’s sovereign control, submitting to Him in the midst of our circumstances, and believing that He will work it out for our good and His glory. Ultimate relief comes in eternity, but until then, we have His strength to help us in times of trial. Keep an eternal perspective and live by faith, not by sight.

A Prayer to Seek the Lord During Distractions

By: Chelsea DeMatteis, as written for and posted to Your Daily Prayer daily devotional

Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. - Nehemiah 6:8-9

Distractions are inevitable. Throughout Scripture, we are told that not only will distractions come, but they will be used by the enemy to knock us off course. Thankfully, God has shown us how to battle these distractions. Nehemiah was a man in the Bible who dealt with persistent distractions from his enemies, who attempted to stop the work God had called Him to do. Satan’s distractions are the same today as they were back then. He doesn't have creativity. But he is cunning and cutting. He seeks to unearth old pain. He targets the same insecurity, the same lie that was once told, or the same mistakes of our past. Satan will use whatever causes us to pause, drop, or stop the work of our hands for the Kingdom of God.

When we look at Nehemiah’s story, we see these same tactics. Persistent distractions orchestrated the same way each time. Five times to be exact, that his enemies sent for him. Each time desiring to stop the work that God has commanded of him to do in Jerusalem. Nehemiah, through his strength in the Lord, called them out for being the lying, fear enticers that they were, and asked the Lord to strengthen his hands. You see, Nehemiah was able to discern his enemy’s schemes because of his deep relationship with the Lord. He knew what God had called Him to and he was not going to stop the work of his hands until God said so. These persistent distractions didn’t line up with the characteristics of God’s heart. Nehemiah only knew that because, he knew His father and trusted His heart.

This goes for you and me too. We get an amazing example from Nehemiah’s life. Once we begin to study the heart of God and grow in our relationship with Him, we begin to see more clearly what is not from Him. From there we not only grow in discernment, but we mature in our desire to take everything and hold it up to God’s Word. As we grow in knowledge of God’s truth we want to know more of it. As distractions come, begin taking note of them. Write down what the topic is, how it makes you feel, and when it seems to happen most often. In my experience, it shows so clearly the tactics the enemy is deploying. Just like Nehemiah, I then turn them over to the Lord and ask Him to strengthen my hands and my obedience to Him. Let’s pray for that now.

Lord, this season has felt like a never-ending scheme of distractions. Father, stir up in me the reminder to write down the topics, feelings, and seasons these come to me most. I pray that as I grow in my awareness of these distractions in my life, that I will more quickly hand them over to you and seek your truth.

Thank you for being a good Father who desires nothing more than for His children to turn to Him in all moments of our days. Help me to do that this very day.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

A Prayer to Help You Stop Drifting from God

By: Debbie McDaniel, as written for and posted to Your Daily Prayer daily devotional

We see it all around us, in headline news stories, or from the lives of those we know and maybe once trusted. And even so often, in our very own lives. Sometimes it happens before we realize what’s occurred. It’s unintentional. We don’t plan it. Lulled by the slow pull away, swayed by other things we start deeming more important, we wake up one day and realize things seem different. We find ourselves in a place we’d never intended to go.

The drift.

Happens.

5 Dangers of Drifting:

-We begin to pull away from godly influences. Marriages suffer. Trust gets broken. We lose our heart for others. We fall away from close fellowship with other believers. We neglect accountability and connection with those who would encourage our walk in Christ. Matthew 22:37-40

- We stop praying. We’re too busy. We’re weary. Or simply overwhelmed. We shoot a few prayers up His way, like, “Lord, bless our day,” but we’re unaffected by the lack of closeness we have with our Creator. Constantly wired to electronic devices, we’re more in tune to what others are saying and doing, the constant media chatter, than we are to what is on God’s heart for the day. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

- We lose focus, or desire, for His Words. We’re no longer reading or hearing it. We’re distracted by all that calls our name through the day.  To-do lists beckon us from the moment we wake up, crazy schedules leave no room for moments with Him. Or maybe we find ourselves just disconnected completely. Stone cold, distant, withdrawn, His words of life and truth fall on deaf ears and hardened hearts. Matthew13:14-15

- We lose our heart for worship. We stop going to church and fill our minds with excuses of why we can’t. Or why it’s not that important. Or maybe we still go so we can check the church box. We sing words, hear words, then we go home. Yet not really singing and not really hearing. Unaffected. Distant. All the while, our hearts feel a million miles away. Hebrews10:25

- The spiritual things that once concerned us, no longer concern us. We’re more easily influenced by the opinions of the world instead of the truth of God’s Word. Compassion for people wanes. His Spirit within us is stifled. Our heart for God is dulled. The pull towards sin increases. We begin to see life through selfish motives, blurred by pride, and our quest to live happy, on our terms. We find ourselves twisting truth to meet our own needs. We become numb to the danger that surrounds us, often until it’s too late to avoid great consequences that follow our choices. 1 John 2:16, 2 Timothy 4:4

But we don't have to live that way, we can choose differently... And that’s not always easy. Because often, it's easier to just go with the flow. It takes effort, hard work, not to drift away. Knowing "of" truth isn't the same as immersing ourselves "in" truth. One will keep us aware and close to our Safety, the other may allow us to drift slowly in the wrong direction.

Dear God,

Forgive us for drifting away from you, for allowing other things to become more important in our lives. Help us to live aware, to choose wisely, to stay close to you, and anchored in your Truth. Apart from you, we have no hope. Thank you for your great love and mercy, thank you that you wait for us, that you call us to yourself, and you strengthen us in our weakness. Thank you that you alone are our Refuge and Safety, and you fill us with hope. We come to you today, choosing to walk in your Presence and Light.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Mystery dirty laundry left on porch: A lesson in washing out stains

By Minni Elkins, as written and posted on The Denison Forum

A Texas woman was recently surprised to find a large basket of dirty laundry on her front porch, complete with laundry detergent and fabric softener. 

The basket was filled with what was obviously a young man’s dirty clothes.

She began trying to find the owner through social media, community boards, and neighbors. After three days with no luck, she decided the clothes needed to be washed.

“It’s two loads. It’s not gonna be that big a deal, so I went ahead and did it,” she said. 

Shortly after she finished washing, drying, and folding the clothes and putting them back in the basket, a young man knocked on her door. He was tracking down his lost laundry.

He explained it was supposed to be dropped off four houses down at the home of a woman he pays to do his laundry. 

He was shocked to find out she’d washed a stranger’s clothes. 

For the woman in Weatherford, Texas, washing the clothes was a no-brainer. “It was just something that, hey, we’ve all struggled in the past year. This isn’t too big of a deal, why not just do it? If somebody’s laundry happens to show up, maybe you should probably do it because maybe someone needs it.” 

God doesn’t run from our dirty laundry

When I think of a “young man’s” laundry, my mind goes back several years to the days my son was in college. He played sports and came home many weekends with dirty laundry. 

Many of his socks could stand up on their own. 

So, if someone left a basket of a man’s dirty clothes on my porch, I am not so sure I could be as kind as the woman in this news story. 

I might run.

On the other hand, I am always up for a challenge. While I was tempted more than once to throw away some of my son’s laundry, my competitive nature prevailed. 

I used every trick in the mom’s book of survival and brought new life into a mountain of smelly, stiff, dirty garments.

I am glad God doesn’t run from our “dirty laundry.” 

Most of us would not wear smelly, dirty clothes unless we didn’t have a choice. Yet, we hold onto sin and, in doing so, become like filthy garments: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isaiah 64:6).

The stains of sin are too deep, too filthy, for us to remove ourselves, no matter what tricks we have available, no matter how hard we try to hide them or disguise them. 

And no matter how big or how heinous, there’s one stain solution that works: Jesus.

What will you wear? 

The prophet Isaiah tells us “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (1:18). 

The answer to this cleansing, softening power is given in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (emphasis mine).

Once confessed, our “dirty laundry” is replaced with clean garments God provides: “So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light . . . But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:12, 14).

Jesus says we are light and salt in the world (Matthew 5:13–15). 

When we dress ourselves with the Lord Jesus, we trade in our dirty deeds, our dirty laundry, and become the salt and light we are intended to be: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (v. 16).

When the young man whose laundry was left on the porch got his clean clothes, his response was, “Oh, my goodness, thank you so much. I’ve been wearing these same jeans for three days now.” 

He was grateful to exchange his filthy clothes for clean ones.

Shouldn’t we?

Neighbors

Neighbors

By Robin Wiley

As I was growing up living just outside of the town, Battle Lake, MN (before my mom married my stepdad) – I remember going over to our neighbor’s homes all the time and even welcomed new people who moved into the neighborhood. We lived on Lake Shore Drive – which was right near the water, Lake Battle Lake. As you know, Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” and where I lived was no different. You can’t go a mile down any country road before you see a lake jump out at you.  I was taught that when you visit a neighbor, you have to bring them something – like a small token or gift such as cookies or flowers.

In our neighborhood – we knew most of our neighbors (or at least their names); we played, went to school with their kids and helped each other out when needed. I saw that same behavior again when I moved to Port Neches, TX area with the first house I bought. But when I moved to the Valley after marrying Scott in 2005, I did not see people being neighborly in the area we lived, South Westgate Woods until the Covid virus happened.  Funny – it took isolation and quarantining to finally bring this neighborhood together!

One of the homeowners in our subdivision started a private group on Facebook, and you have to be a resident in our subdivision to be part of the group. We all introduced ourselves and told where we lived in the subdivision. Now, a year later -  I know most of my neighbors, and we are sharing things with each other - like recommendations, graduation signs, block parties, curbside trick or treating at Halloween, or lost animals.  It’s been a great way to even share the power of Christ by offering prayer to anyone who needs it. 

I have this devotional from a book I occasionally read: “Come With Me Devotional “ by Suzanne Eller. This particular one I am sharing is called: “Good Neighbor.” So enjoy!

Scripture: Luke 10:34 NLT

34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 

A man is robbed, stripped, and left on the side of the road. He’s bleeding and half-dead. Two people pass by, almost as if he’s invisible. They keep going. 

A third man comes on the scene, a Samaritan. He kneels beside him to bandage his wounds. He takes the wounded man into town and pays for him to stay in a safe place.

They were all neighbors, but only one acted as a neighbor.

Serving as a neighbor isn’t defined by location. A neighbor might be the stranger at the convenience store or the family that just moved across the street. It’s not limited by race or age or economic status.

We discover the identity of our neighbor as we become a neighbor. When we act neighborly, we act as a potential friend. Our words and actions leave an impression not soon forgotten.

• Who is our neighbor?

• It’s that one God places in our path and to whom we show kindness.

Come With Me

On-purpose love changes you and changes the world around you.

Robin W. comment: I love our church and familia of faith. We are all willing to help each other out through our ministries, support, love and prayers. Better yet, we extend that grace to the community around us. I sometimes sing to myself the State Farm commercial jingle – but add a personal twist: “And like a good neighbor, First Baptist is there!” So true – keep being a good neighbor!

Prayer:

Father God, your son Jesus showed us the way on to treat each other and be a good neighbor. May my actions and words reflect kindness and love towards even the most difficult person or people in my life. Bless my life with your grace and mercy. In Jesus precious name – Amen!

Doing God's Story: The Offering

Genesis 22:1-18 

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about,Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

As I have previously mentioned, when I first started out as a music minister, I was all about using music to create a “great worship experience.” I lamented anything that took time away from real worship: the singing. Confession is good for the soul, so here I go.

I was often frustrated with the awkwardness of passing plates around. People were fiddling in their pockets or purses instead of singing the praise songs or listening to the instrumental music that was immediately relegated to the background. It just ruined the flow of my perfectly planned “worship experience.” I even convinced my very loving pastor to collect offering at the door so people could give on their way out. I think there are merits to having offering collected at the end of the service, but interrupting my flow of worship probably should not have been one of them.

The offering is a powerful time of literally putting your money where your mouth is!  We may spend much of the service singing songs and lifting our hands to our Mighty creator, but during the offering, our hands can easily get stuck in our pockets.  If we truly believe what we are singing, the offering becomes a powerful act of joining in God’s Story and His kingdom work here on earth.  Giving our offering is the physical part of praying “God’s Kingdom come, God’s will be done on earth!”  We are saying, “this is a physical world with physical needs, and we are going to put our physical trust in God by giving to him out of the abundance which he has already given to us.”  

I am reminded that the first time the word worship was mentioned in the Bible was when Abraham was going to literally sacrifice his son.  The act of worship and sacrifice are one in the same. When Jesus died on the cross, it was ultimately for worship of the Father. For believers, the sacrifice of praise and of giving should be central to our worship as we Do God’s Story!

“Doing God’s Story” is a concept that comes from Robert Webber’s Ancient Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God’s Narrative. For Pastor Ray, this book has been formative in his understanding of Biblical and Ancient Christian worship. Webber constantly reminds his readers that historically, worship is not about us as individuals, it is about proclaiming God’s story through acts of remembrance and anticipation.

A Prayer To Renew Your Mind

By Remi Roy

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." - Romans 12:2

What changes when we surrender our hearts to Jesus? Certainly, not our outward appearance, our income or the people in our families or at work. On the outside, we look the same. So, what changes? The more we give in to the flesh the more our lives stay the same. The more we yield to the Spirit the more we begin to look like Christ. It is important to note that we cannot and do not change our ways first before we come to Christ. Hard as we try we do not have the power to do that and if God required that no one would be saved. Paul, however, instructs us to renew our minds.

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2

Paul knew that it takes a sincere desire to want to obey God to resist the lure of the world, hence his admonition to not copy the ways of the world. The same temptations we experienced in the past will come our way as new creations in Jesus Christ. We will face the same hardships, deal with the same emotions and circumstances. What makes the difference is our sincere desire to please God. Our desire, fueled by God's grace and love makes real change possible.

Philippians 2:13 says, ‘For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.’

But how do we carry out Paul's instruction to renew our minds in the practical sense? It’s all in the Word. God’s Word empowers us and enables us to go all the way in our pursuit of Him. Our job is to study and apply the Word. It is our weapon against everything that comes against us; whether sickness, fear or evil thoughts. God’s Word is the standard by which we measure our lives and conform to His will.

Lord, help us to study and apply your Word to our lives each day. Help us make this a discipline of the mind and heart, empowered by Your Spirit, transforming us each day more and more into your likeness. Help us have self-awareness of when we’re falling into temptation and turn quickly back to you. Thank you for your tender mercy and love, ever leading us onward.

In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen!

An hour on a train

By: Dr Jim Denison, as written and posted on The Denison Forum

For today, a question that was asked of the famed apologist Francis Schaeffer: “What would you do if you met a really modern man on a train and you just had an hour to talk to him about the gospel?” Schaeffer replied, “I’ve said over and over, I would spend forty-five to fifty minutes on the negative, to really show him his dilemma—that he is morally dead—then I’d take ten to fifteen minutes to preach the gospel.” 

Schaeffer explained: “I believe that much of our evangelistic and personal work today is not clear simply because we are too anxious to get to the answer without having a man realize the real cause of his sickness, which is true moral guilt (and not just psychological guilt feelings) in the presence of God.” 

The Holy Spirit knows the heart of every lost person you know and wants to use us to lead them to salvation. However, we must choose to be courageous in sharing God’s word and helping them see their need for biblical truth.

Are you available to be used by God’s Spirit today?

Why Baylor Coach Scott Drew is such an appealing Christian: Three steps to conversations that affect eternity

By: Dr Jim Denison, as written and posted on The Denison Forum

Scott Drew is one of the most appealing Christians in America these days. As the head coach of the Baylor University men’s basketball team, which won the NCAA championship in convincing fashion Monday night, he is understandably in the media spotlight. In stories about the team and their victory, Coach Drew’s faith almost always comes up. For example, Sports Illustrated quotes ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla, who said of him: “He has an optimism, a sense of faith and a sense of family and togetherness that is real. People said early on he’s a phony; he’s a charlatan. But the more you see it, you know it’s real stuff. He’s like that Sunday school preacher, but he believes what he’s preaching. Optimism, with him, is like breathing.” Such an attractive witness is especially vital in a day when evangelical Christians are being assailed on all sides. From lawsuits alleging discrimination on Christian campuses to accusations of right-wing political agendas to escalating threats against religious liberty, believers need to defend what we believe with urgency and compassion. Yesterday, we discussed the priority of biblical thinking and God’s call to stand for biblical truth. Today, let’s look at practical ways to answer his call.

One: Choose courage before courage is required 

We will frame today’s conversation in light of Acts 17 and Paul’s transformative encounters with the Greco-Roman culture of his day. From his experiences, we find a roadmap for effective engagement with our post-Christian culture. The chapter opens with Paul’s experience in Thessalonica, where he and his followers faced a mob that falsely accused them of insurrection against Rome (vv. 1–9). Here we learn that standing for biblical truth often requires us to stand against untruth, commitments that often come at a significant cost. Paul made the decision to stand courageously for his Lord long before he reached Thessalonica. Jesus warned him shortly after his conversion, “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). In nearly every city he visited in the Book of Acts, Jesus’ prediction came true. Paul knew that his strength came not from himself but from his Lord. That’s why he could testify, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). And he could state, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). He knew that he needed the Spirit to guide him, use him, and protect him. So do we.

Before we go any further, would you stop and ask Jesus for the strength and courage you will need to stand for his word today? 

Two: Invite people to consider biblical truth 

Back to Acts 17. After Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica, he and his team traveled to Berea, where they began ministry in the synagogue there (v. 10). Luke reports: “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (v. 11). As a result, “Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men” (v. 12).  From the Bereans we learn a second principle: invite people to investigate biblical truth.  You and I cannot convict people of sin or save souls; this is the work of God’s Spirit (John 16:8–11). Our job is to present the truth and invite people to consider its claims on their lives. When we do so in an open, winsome, conversational way, they are often more receptive than if they feel pressured by us.  Charles Spurgeon noted: “The gospel is like a caged lion; you don’t have to defend it—just let it out of the cage.” If we will share God’s word in the power of God’s Spirit, answering questions as they arise in a spirit of genuine inquiry, God will use us to plant eternal seeds of truth in the souls we encounter.

Would you invite God’s Spirit to lead you as you share God’s word with those you meet today? 

Three: Show people their need for biblical truth

Now we follow Paul to Athens, where he was invited to address the Areopagus, the intellectual leaders of the leading intellectual capital of the day (vv. 19–21). He began his address by referring to an altar he had discovered in their city with the inscription, “To the unknown God” (v. 23a). He stated, “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (v. 23b). Paul proceeded to use reason in sharing the gospel with these rationalists. He showed them the illogic of believing that the God who made the universe would live in manmade temples such as they had constructed in their city (vv. 24–25). Next, he quoted their poets’ declarations that we are made by God as his offspring (v. 28) and exposed the contradiction of worshiping such a personal God as if he were “like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man” (v. 29). The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers he addressed (v. 18) prided themselves on their logical consistency. By showing them the flaws in their reasoning, he opened the door to explain to them the logical and reasonable conclusion: the God who made them and everything else now calls them to repent and turn to him before facing judgment for their mistakes (vv. 30–31).  Here Paul employed what is known as the “apagogic” task, which Merriam-Webster defines as “proceeding by the method of disproving the proposition that contradicts the one to be established.” He knew that people will seldom consider biblical truth unless they first believe they need biblical truth. If their beliefs are true and trustworthy, why would they change them?

Are you willing to help people face the (perhaps difficult) truth that they need to know the truth?

Freedom in Anxious Times

Read Philippians 4 

[Taken from Philippians: A 4-Day Devotional by NewSpring Church

https://newspring.cc/devotionals/philippians-a-4-day-devotional/how-to-find-moments-of-freedom-in-anxious-times] 

In the midst of hard circumstances or anxiety, it can be difficult to see past the problem in front of us, much less present our requests rationally, clearly or with thanksgiving. What is there to be thankful for when you’re facing bankruptcy? Shouldn’t you be anxious when the relationship you thought would last forever suddenly falls apart? What is there to rejoice about when you keep falling into that sin over and over and over again?

In Philippians 4:4-6, Paul isn’t telling us to ignore what circumstances we have. He’s directing us to get perspective on those circumstances. He writes in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Paul isn’t saying difficulties don’t matter, but that they are parts of a larger picture, a whole world filled with blessings, too.

If you’re in the midst of difficult circumstances, two things are true: First, those circumstances are threatening to consume your every thought and waking moment. Maybe they already have. But the second truth is this: In addition to the problems, your life is filled with wonderful blessings you can’t see because your focus is elsewhere. When you’re tempted to worry, thank God for something different. Maybe you are facing bankruptcy, but you are alive and healthy. Maybe that relationship did fall apart, but there is a God who loves you more than that person ever could. Maybe you’re in a pattern of sin, but there is a Savior who can and will help you through it.

Trouble, depression and anxiety are real, but when we pause to recognize and thank God for His blessings in the midst of them, He gives us peace. Whatever good thing you think about may seem irrelevant, but even if it is only for a moment, it is a moment of freedom.

Reflect:

• What’s one problem that threatens to overwhelm you?

• What’s one thing you can be thankful for today?

Prayer:

Father God, you are God and I am not. Your ways are higher than my ways.  Meet me where I am at today and lift me up in the safety of your wings. Shield me from harm and keep my path straight as I work through whatever stress or challenges I am dealing with today. I give all these burdens to you, Jesus. Thank you for your love and grace, which covers my sins.  In your precious name Jesus – Amen.

Doing God's Story: The Announcements

“Doing God’s Story” is a concept that comes from Robert Webber’s Ancient Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God’s Narrative. For Pastor Ray, this book has been formative in his understanding of Biblical and Ancient Christian worship. Webber constantly reminds his readers that historically, worship is not about us as individuals, it is about proclaiming God’s story through acts of remembrance and anticipation.

Colossians 3:15-17

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When I first started out as a music minister, I was all about music creating a “great worship experience.” I lamented anything that took time away from real worship: the singing. In my church growing up, the announcements went on and on and on and on and on.  They often became a chance for people to stand up in church and sermonize why people who didn’t help with their event or ministry didn’t really love Jesus.  Even though I may have had some grounds for feeling frustrated with the announcements getting out of hand, I was really frustrated because they interfered with my “perfect” flow of worship with immaculate transitions, flawless execution of key changes and intricate musical and thematic spiritual flow. My worship was so well structured that Beethoven himself would have been impressed.  Okay, that is probably not true, but music was SO important to me that I tried to have some sort of musical sound going through EVERY part of the service to create a “worshipful mood.”  To me, music was worship.  Everything else just got in the way: and the preaching, well that was just the epilogue.  

Now, when I re-evaluate our worship services understanding that worship does God’s story, I see how everything we do in word and deed, even announcements can be viewed as worship.  Every Sunday the church assembles to remind each other and the world that God narrates the universe and we get to be a part of His great story of love, redemption and re-creation. The announcements, if done correctly, let the church know what God’s story looks like in our community. God’s story of love, redemption and re-creation is done in Bible studies, in care packages, in fellowships, in zoom meetings, choir rehearsals, birthdays and even committee meetings. There is no reason to list every activity that goes on - we have calendars, e mail, and phones to send out all that information, but it is nice to be reminded during our worship that God’s story continues on between Sundays - whether we choose to participate in it or not!

So, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Pastor Ray now teaches a worship class at Stark College and Seminary. He is supposed to be the expert but is constantly humbled by the textbooks and his students in a way that reminds him that only God can make our worship worthy!

Order of Service ~Orden de Servicio 04/04/2021

GYM SERVICE

Call To Worship - Psalm 31:9-16

Were You There

Resurrection Video

Sunday

Up From The Grave He Arose

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today

Prayer & Ministry Opportunities

Greeting

Friend of God Bilingual

How Great Thou Art

My Troubled Soul

Offering/ Children’s Blessing

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

What A Beautiful Name

Message

Lord’s Supper

Because He Lives

Benediction

Servicio En Español

Llamada A La Adoración - Salmos 31:9-16

Viste Tu

La Tumba Le Encerro

El Senor Resucito

Anuncios

Eres Mi Amigo Fiel

Cuan Grande Es El

Bendicion de los Niños/ La Ofrenda

Hermoso Nombre

Testimonio

Porque El Vive

Mensaje

La Santa Cena

Porque El Vive

Oración de Bendición

English Service at 11:00am

Call To Worship - Psalm 31:9-16

Were You There

Resurrection Video

Sunday

Friend Of God/How Great Thou Art Medley

Friend of God Bilingual

How Great Thou Art

Prayer

Ministry Opportunities

Greeting

Up From The Grave He Arose

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today

Children’s Blessing

All My Hope

My Troubled Soul

Offering

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

What A Beautiful Name

Message

Lord’s Supper

Because He Lives

Benediction

Delicate, Not Fragile

By: Lysa TerKeurst as written for Proverbs 31 ministries’ Encouragement for Today daily devotional

“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

When I was walking through one of the most difficult seasons of my life, God showed me a powerful picture.

I’m not really a “see some sort of vision” kind of girl. So at first, I thought it was just my imagination wandering off for a minute. But then I felt an impression on my heart that this wasn’t random; this really was from God.

At first, what I saw inside my mind was a beautiful flower made from paper-thin glass. I looked at it from all sides and admired the way it was formed. Then I saw a hand reaching out and wrapping itself around the glass flower. But as the hand closed around it, the glass popped and shattered. The glass was delicately beautiful but too fragile to be worked with.

Next, I saw the same flower formed out of shiny metal. And the hand reached out and wrapped itself around the flower and held it for a few seconds. But then, once again, the hand closed around it. Only this time, nothing happened to the flower. It didn’t change in any way. And I could tell the harder the hand pressed, the more pain the steel flower was causing the hand. The steel was strong but not moldable. The metal flower was too hard to give way to the hand’s desired working.

But the last time I saw the same flower, it was made from white clay. Every detail was the same except now when the hand reached out and closed around it, the flower moved with the hand. The clay squeezed and moved between the hand’s fingers. The hand folded and twisted and worked with the clay until suddenly an even more beautiful flower emerged.

So I asked God about the glass flower and the metal flower. They were beautiful, but not as beautiful as the white clay flower after being molded.

I felt the Lord say to my heart, Lysa, I want you to be delicate, but I don’t want you to be fragile. If you’re like that piece of glass, beautiful but so fragile, when I press into you and try to make you something new, you’ll just shatter. I also want you to be strong, but I don’t want you to be unmoldable. You see, Lysa, that steel flower — it’ll always just be a steel flower. And no matter how hard My hand presses on it, I can’t make something new from something so hard. You are already beautiful, but if you’ll surrender to My shaping, I can do a new and more beautiful work in you.

The images I had seen were beginning to make sense. He wanted me to be like clay. The white clay flower was delicately beautiful but not too fragile. The white clay flower was strong enough to hold its shape but soft enough to allow the hand to reshape it as needed. And in the end, the clay flower wound up being the most beautifully shaped of them all.

I cried. I finally felt like I could understand a bit of God’s perspective.

It gave a whole new meaning to one of my favorite verses, found in Isaiah 64:8: “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Oh, friend, God isn’t ever going to forsake us, but He will go to great lengths to remake us.

God loves the parts of us that are delicately beautiful, but He doesn’t want us to be fragile like that glass. God made us to be strong, but He doesn’t want us to grow hard like metal and unable to be molded.

Seeing the beautiful in life requires us to stay moldable by God. We don’t want to be too fragile or too rigid. If we’re too fragile, the fear of being broken, crushed and hurt again will make us want to fight the process. If we are too rigid, those sharp and strong edges may feel like they protect us, but in reality, they just prevent the transformative work of God in us. It’s only in trusting the gentle but powerful hands of the Potter and allowing Him to remold and remake us that those hurts are able to be shaped into something beautiful.

He wants me like the clay, able to stand firm but still be molded and reformed into whatever purpose He has for me. He wants that for you, too, my friend. We don’t have to be afraid of how He’s going to shape our lives. He is the God who somehow makes everything beautiful in its time.

God, help me turn my eyes away from my circumstances and trust You as the Potter, making something beautiful out of it all. I want to be moldable so I can become more like You. Remind me of the illustration of these different flowers often. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

April’s Fool?

By: Norman Brown, as written for today devotional

Scripture Reading — Luke 9:18-22

The Son of Man must suffer many things . . . and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. — Luke 9:22

On this April Fools’ Day we’re in the middle of Lent. This month we’ll recall Christ’s journey to Jerusalem, where he was crucified for our sins. He trekked this hard road on God’s orders, but at the time many saw it as a fool’s errand. Even Peter, one of his closest followers, said, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22). But Jesus didn’t waver.

Why did God send his Son on this mission? The reason goes way back to the beginning of human history. In all creation, only humans bore God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). But they rebelled against their Maker (Genesis 3) and burdened all of the rest of us with the penalty for their disobedience (1 Corinthians 15:22). Thankfully, God had a plan, and his Son followed it through (John 3:16).

In today’s verses Jesus forewarns his disciples about the end of his earthly mission. And after his resurrection he explained, “This is what I told you while I was still with you” (Luke 24:44). But his mission won’t be fully complete until “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). 

Have we repented, and do we believe in Jesus so that we can share in his resurrection and tell others this good news?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, to the world, your mission may seem foolish. But we’re profoundly grateful you took it on. Give us repentant hearts and believing souls so that we can share in your resurrection and spread its joy. Amen

Norman Brown

Chaplain Norman F. Brown graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, in 1969. He served aboard destroyers during the Vietnam conflict and ashore in San Diego, Calif., as an instructor. By then God had made clear his call to work in pastoral ministry, and Norman entered Calvin Theological Seminary, graduating in 1980. Chaplain Brown pastored churches during his ministry career but spent most of his time as a navy chaplain. During one assignment he served three years at Holy Loch, Scotland, where he and his wife, Ruth, encountered the Iona Community and their emphasis on spiritual disciplines. Chaplain and Mrs. Brown have three married children and nine grandchildren

Cicadas sing after seventeen years in hiding: Why a shift in perspective could make all the difference

By Ryan Denison, as written for The Denison Forum, posted on denisonforum.com

Depending on where you live, the song of the cicada can be a staple of summer. For much of the country, though, encountering these rare insects is a less frequent occurrence. 

You see, how long a cicada stays dormant in the ground before emerging varies depending on its species. 

And, as Jesus Jimenez writes for The New York Times, the day is fast approaching for people from Georgia up through New York and as far west as Illinois to welcome billions of these bugs for the first time in seventeen years. 

Despite the long period of dormancy, however, this particular variety of cicada will only be around for about four to six weeks—just long enough to procreate and ensure the next generation gets started on their seventeen-year dormancy to keep the line moving.

But while their stay may be short-lived, they will be sure to make their presence felt. 

Once the ground gets warm enough, they will ascend to the surface and congregate in groups so large that their cacophonous singing can reach up to ninety decibels, comparable to a revved-up motorcycle. 

As a result, those fortunate enough (or unfortunate enough, depending on your perspective) to be near them are unlikely to forget the experience any time soon.

“A blip in the timeline of history”

In a way, our lives on this earth are similar to that of the cicadas. 

Consider all that’s happened in the last seventeen years:

• Five presidential elections

• A global pandemic

• The entire Marvel Cinematic Universe (Maybe that’s slightly less historic.)

While we may look at everything that’s happened and feel overwhelmed by all that has occurred, it’s little more than a blip from the perspective of history. 

And while some of these events will likely be remembered long after we’re gone, much of what can seem so important today will matter little in a hundred years. 

That perspective is significant for two primary reasons. 

First, an eternal perspective can help us approach the news of the day from a better point of view. 

It’s the media’s job to make every story seem as if it will define the future and shape humanity going forward, and they’re usually pretty good at doing so. 

The reality is that what often matters most of what we see or read on a daily basis will be replaced by the next story within a week. 

Now, that doesn’t mean a story isn’t important or that we should ignore what’s going on around us. But it does mean that we’re often better off taking a broader view when it comes to the landscape of current events and pay more attention to the aspects that can make an eternal difference than the ones that seem most important now. 

We should ask God what he wants us to glean and let that be the lens by which we evaluate everything else. When we do, we’ll find ourselves less likely to get distressed or overwhelmed and instead be better able to see how God is working in any given situation to redeem the bad and advance his kingdom.

Second, an eternal perspective on current events helps us better work alongside God to make the most of the time we have. 

While our lives may be a blip on the timeline of history, that doesn’t make them insignificant. Rather, if we are able to recognize where the Lord is working around us and be intentional about joining him in those efforts, then we can make our presence felt in a way that leaves a mark on the world long after we’re gone. 

And even if it’s a mark that only God sees and appreciates, nothing will matter more when we’re finally standing in his presence. 

So the next time you hear a cicada chirping outside your window or see their strange little shells clinging to a tree, let it serve as a reminder that the significance of your life has far more to do with how many days we lived for God than how many days we lived. 

How significant will you be today?

Tired of Being Good?

Read Philippians 3

I grew up with two sisters and we were constantly fighting and picking on each other as siblings often do, which drove our Mother to often say to us, “Behave yourselves and ‘be good’!” Being good was not agitating our mother. But what does that statement really mean?  Being good.

As we grow older, the need to be good is continually reinforced. We justify ourselves with how good we are, whether it’s as an employee, spouse or person. The way we describe each other confirms it.

“He’s such a good person.”

“She has a good heart.”

“Your such a good employee.”

At the beginning of Philippians 3, Paul points out the flaws in this kind of thinking. If we’re chasing goodness, we’re chasing a moving target.

If anyone reading Paul’s letter thought he or she was a good person, Paul was better. He was raised in the right family, went to the right schools and followed the right path. But he says all of these things were garbage compared to knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:8). Wow – that is a pretty strong statement coming from a man known as a “Hebrew of Hebrews.”[1]

That’s because knowing Jesus isn’t about meeting a standard but following a person. The relationship Paul had with Jesus was more fulfilling than all the religious accomplishments of his past. Paul still did good things but not because he was trying to be good. Instead, Paul’s good deeds were an overflow of the love He experienced from Jesus. The same is true for us. When we put Jesus above everything else in our lives, we end up doing good things not because we have to, but because we want to.

I love seeing our kiddos serve in our church such as helping with the food pantry by coming in on their school vacation to help bag rice and beans (pre-Covid) or a youth-led Sunday where our kiddos take on one of the adult roles with the services. They do it because they love serving with each other and making a difference for Christ’s kingdom.  

After writing that everything in his life is worthless compared to knowing Jesus, Paul goes on to say he hasn’t lived up to Jesus’ example yet. Paul wasn’t perfect, but “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” he continued his whole-hearted pursuit of Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14). Like Paul, many of us need to give up trying to be good enough and run to the One who is enough.

Reflect:

• Is Jesus first in your life? If not, what is? Is it worth it?

• What do you value above Jesus right now? What can you do differently? 

Prayer:

Father God, You are the definition of “good.” It is not just what you do but who You are and that NEVER changes. Help me to strive toward being more like Jesus and put Him first in my life. I want to pursue Him in all that I am and do. I pray that I can better serve You in precious name of Jesus – Amen.  

[Excerpts taken from Philippians: A 4-Day Devotional by NewSpring Church

https://newspring.cc/devotionals/philippians-a-4-day-devotional/how-to-find-moments-of-freedom-in-anxious-times] 

[1] Marg Mowczko, “Paul’s Hebrew Heritage – PHILIPPIANS 3:4-8,” Marg Mowczko, Exploring the Biblical Theology of Christian Egalitarianism, May 2010.

        https://margmowczko.com/philippians-3_4-8/

Strive for 5’s

Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Each year we do a self evaluation at work covering different aspects of our job performance. This helps us realize our strengths and weaknesses and focus on what we need to improve upon for next year. While this is a helpful tool for work, we often discuss what scores we might earn if we carried this system to the rest of our lives. I can strive for 5’s at work, but if I succeed, will I have enough gas in the tank to be a 5 as a dad when I came home? And if I strive for 5’s as a dad, will I still earn the highest marks as a husband? And if I did that, will I be able to still strive for 5’s as a Christian, spend time with God daily, make time for prayer, church and service to the least of these around me? What would my scores be when it comes to showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

I have recently enjoyed the series John Adams on HBO. It is an wonderful historical account of an amazing leader who served his country above all else. Even though he was not always appreciated by his colleagues, he was a 5 as a patriot, a leader, and as a president. But as a father, and sometimes as a husband, he was about a 1 for much of his political life. He left his family for years in order to help build a fledgling nation. And while his oldest son would become president, his youngest son became a drunk who deserted his family and squandered his fortune.

No one can be all 5’s at work, at home, and at following God. There are just not enough hours in the day and we all have to make choices and set priorites. But we can strive for eternal 5’s when we seek first the kingdom of God and honor Him above all else. We can strive for 5’s in God’s kingdom by building on Jesus Christ’s foundation with precious materials. Perhaps in that process, those at work and at home can see that God’s Kingdom is the only thing truly worth seeking.

Pastor Ray is the Pastor of Worship and Children’s Discipleship at FBC Weslaco. He averages 3’s and 4’s at work and at home (depending on the time of the year) and needs to be reminded to strive for 5’s when it comes to building on Jesus’ foundation with Gold, silver and precious stones.

Orden de Servicio en Español ~ (9:30AM) Domingo, 28 de marzo 2021

LLAMADA A LA ADORACIÓN SALMOS 31:9-16

9  Señor, ten compasión de mí, pues estoy en peligro. El dolor debilita mis ojos, mi cuerpo, ¡todo mi ser! 10 ¡El dolor y los lamentos acaban con los años de mi vida! La tristeza acaba con mis fuerzas; ¡mi cuerpo se está debilitando! 11 Soy el hazmerreír de mis enemigos, objeto de burla de mis vecinos, horror de quienes me conocen. ¡Huyen de mí cuantos me ven en la calle! 12 Me han olvidado por completo, como si ya estuviera muerto. Soy como un jarro hecho pedazos. 13 Puedo oír que la gente cuchichea: «Hay terror por todas partes.» Como un solo hombre, hacen planes contra mí; ¡hacen planes para quitarme la vida! 14 Pero yo, Señor, confío en ti; yo he dicho: «¡Tú eres mi Dios!» 15 Mi vida está en tus manos; ¡líbrame de mis enemigos, que me persiguen! 16 Mira con bondad a este siervo tuyo, y sálvame, por tu amor.

SOMOS EL PUEBLO DE DIOS

Y llevaremos Su gloria

A cada pueblo y nación

Trayéndoles esperanza

Y nuevas de salvación

Y Su amor nos impulsa

No nos podemos callar

Anunciaremos al mundo

De Su amor y verdad

Somos el pueblo de Dios

Somos un pueblo especial

Llamados para anunciar

Las virtudes de Aquel

Que nos llamó a Su luz

Somos el pueblo de Dios

Su sangre nos redimío

Y Su Espíritu dió

Para darnos poder

Y ser testigos de Él

ABRE MIS OJOS
Abre mis ojos Oh Cristo

Abre mi corazon

yo quiero verte, yo quiero verte

Y contemplar tu majestad

Y el resplandor de tu gloria

Derrama tu amor y poder

Mientras cantamos: Santo, Santo,

Santo, Santo, Santo

Santo, Santo, Santo

Santo, Santo, Santo, Yo quiero verte

SANTO, SANTO, SANTO

Santo! ¡Santo! ¡Santo! Señor Omnipotente,

Siempre el labio mío loores te dará;

¡Santo! ¡Santo! ¡Santo! Te adoro reverente,

Dios en tres Personas, bendita Trinidad.

¡Santo! ¡Santo! ¡Santo! en numeroso coro,

Santos escogidos te adoran sin cesar,

De alegría llenos y sus coronas de oro

Rinden ante el trono y el cristalino mar.

¡Santo! ¡Santo! ¡Santo! la inmensa muchedumbre,

De ángeles que cumplen tu santa voluntad,

Ante ti se postra bañada de tu lumbre,

Ante ti que has sido, que eres y serás.

¡Santo! ¡Santo! ¡Santo! por más que estés velado,

E imposible sea tu gloria contemplar;

Santo tú eres solo y nada hay a tu lado,

En poder perfecto, pureza y caridad.

¡Santo! ¡Santo! ¡Santo! la gloria de tu nombre,

Vemos en tus obras en cielo, tierra y mar.

¡Santo! ¡Santo! ¡Santo! te adora todo hombre,

Dios en tres Personas, bendita Trinidad.

JUNTO A TI MI BUEN SEÑOR

Te preciso mi Señor,

Te reclama el corazón;

Ven y muéstrame tu amor,

Quiero ser yo también bendición.

Junto a Ti, mi buen Señor,

Quiero andar, mi Salvador;

Día a día guíame;

Óyeme, buen Señor, óyeme.

Yo soy débil mi Señor,

Dame fortaleza hoy;

Pues seguro yo estaré,

Si Tú vas junto a mí, Salvador.

SEÑOR ¿QIÉN ENTRARÁ?

Señor, ¿quién entrará en tu santuario para adorar?

Señor, ¿quién entrará en tu santuario para adorar?

El de manos limpias,

de corazón puro

y sin vanidades,

que sepa amar.

El de manos limpias,

de corazón puro

y sin vanidades,

que sepa amar.

Señor, yo quiero entrar en tu santuario para adorar.

Señor, yo quiero entrar en tu santuario para adorar.

Dame manos limpias,

y un corazón puro

y sin vanidades,

enséñame a amar.

Dame manos limpias,

y un corazón puro

y sin vanidades,

enséñame a amar.

Habla claro, mi Señor,

Quiero oír Tu dulce voz;

Y saber que quieres Tú,

Háblame, lléname, tómame.

RENUÉVAME

Renuévame Señor Jesús

Ya no quiero ser igual

Renuévame Señor Jesús

Pon en mí Tu corazón

Porque todo lo que hay dentro de mí

Necesita ser cambiado Señor

Porque todo lo que hay dentro de mi corazón

Necesita más de Ti

TAL COMO SOY

Tal como soy de pecador

Sin más confianza que tu amor

Ya que me llamas vengo a ti

Cordero de Dios heme aquí.

Tal como soy buscando paz

En mi desdicha y mal tenaz

Conflicto grande siento en mí

Cordero de Dios heme aquí.

Tal como soy me acogerás

Perdón, alivio me darás

Pues tu promesa ya creí

Cordero de Dios heme aquí.

Tal como soy tu compasión

Vencido a toda oposición

Ya pertenezco solo a ti

Cordero de Dios heme aquí.