You Can’t Fool Me…Dec. 7th
Perhaps you’ve heard the saying; “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Where it originated isn’t known, but the sentiment is clear, ‘I might be tricked once, but it won’t happen again.’ At the same time there are those who say, ‘You can’t fool me…I know better.’ But some believe a truth not knowing they’ve been fooled. What kind of scoundrel would play such a dirty trick? No wonder we say, “…shame on you.”
But could we be guilty of fooling others as well as fooling ourselves? We look in the mirror and 
see what we want to see, not what is really there. We talk ourselves into something that’s not. Could it be that we tell ourselves “I’m OK,” when deep down we know we’re not? Are we doing the very thing we consider a ‘dirty trick?’ This Sunday morning might be a good time to consider your stance if you’re one to say, “You Can’t Fool Me!”
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, December 7, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Living By Faith” – 560
Written almost 100 years ago, this spiritual song reiterates the message found in Hebrews chapter 11, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance…” (NIV) In our own Christian walk, how are we doing? Do we live by faith, or do we want substantiated confirmation? And yet that’s exactly how the Hebrew writer began this chapter, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Concerned about being fooled? God will never fail us, never deceive us and never fool us. Therefore we can say, “I care not today what the morrow may bring, if shadow or sunshine or rain. (why…because) The Lord I know ruleth over everything, and all of my worry is vain. I’m Living by faith in Jesus above…”
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” – 827
How do you deal with ‘seasons of distress and grief?’ Do you have a burning desire for Christ to return? Do you ‘hasten’ to God in prayer? W. W. Walford wrote about the power of prayer, and this morning we’ll sing about it. What a great escape from the ‘tempter’s snare,’ and those who believe in Him will ‘cast on Him their every care, and wait for Him…sweet hour of prayer.’ How foolish would we be to reject this hour of prayer.
“A Hill Called Mount Calvary” – 373
This song is new to some, but it has been around for almost 50 years. Made famous by the Gaither family, the message is one we should believe in. Some might say you are being fooled if you believe in a resurrection. And though I might be fooled by a lot of things, there is one thing I know and I believe with all my heart. “I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary. I’ll believe whatever the cost; and when time has surrender and earth is no more, I’ll still cling to the old rugged cross.” The video begins with the 3rd verse…you’ll want to listen to this one!
“Father, I Adore You” – 53
A simple hymn that is sung to our God and Father. As we sing, notice the unified message. “Father, we adore You, lay our lives before You, How we love You.” It’s easy to sing as a group, but will you, can you, sing it in the first person? “Father, I adore You, lay my life before You, How I love You!”
“Open Our Eyes, Lord” – 766
While the collection plate is being passed we’ll ask our Father for a blessing. In this simple hymn we sing, “Open our eyes, Lord we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him. Open our ears, Lord and help us to listen…” Don’t be fooled into thinking God isn’t involved in your life. He’s alive and well and listening to your pleas!
“He Leadeth Me” – 410
If you’re concerned about being fooled, your best bet is to take a look at who is leading you. What are they telling you and where are they going? For that matter…what are you telling yourself? Before Sunday morning’s lesson we’ll sing about the One who leads us, it is ‘God’s hand that leadeth me.’ But before you think that’s all there is to it, finish the chorus. “His faithful follower I would be…” He’ll never fool you if you’ll follow Him.
“All to Jesus I Surrender” – 662
Question; how much is all? We sing a beautiful song of surrender, but will you give up everything for Him? Think about what you’ll be singing, “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him in His presence daily live…” If we sing all three verses and the chorus with each verse, you’ll be saying “ALL” seventeen times (23 if you count the echo). Will do, do you, surrender your all to Him…or are you just fooling yourself into thinking you do?
“A Common Love” – 705
This ‘youth song’ is taken from the book of John as Jesus spoke to His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another…” Take note of the emphasis in this spiritual song, “A common love…a common gift…a common bond…a common strength…a common hope…a common joy.” Don’t be deceived, without the truth of God’s Word, we’ll never begin to find strength or hope in this sinful world.
December…1914
“By December 1914, the Great War had raged for almost five months and claimed nearly one million lives. Letters and diaries from the Western Front describe how the guns fell silent on Christmas Eve.”
There are moments in our life when we are impacted by a message spoken not by words, but by the actions of others. You’ve heard, a picture is worth a thousand words and the professional knows how to capture the message within the image. So it should not come as a surprise that in a commercialized society, we value times when the unspoken message is powerfully displayed with scenes of hope. A message that promotes not just a product, but an idea.
A company in the UK dedicated to selling grocery products is responsible for such an advertisement. For years, Sainsbury has produced professional quality commercials that not only ‘sell their products,’ but promote a message. Perhaps after seeing this commercial, you’ll be inspired to greater acts of compassion. How powerful would it be to hear ‘Silent Night’ being sung from a cold and dark fox hole. In a time of war would you have had the strength to step out and walk toward your enemy? There is power in song, and thanks to a grocery store for giving us a message from World War I…
The Christian’s Bumper Sticker…Nov. 30th
Have you ever driven up behind someone, noticed they have a bumper sticker only you’re not quite able to read it? We squint and strain to see if there is some nugget of value. Or maybe that car in front of you doesn’t have ‘a’ bumper sticker, they’ve got dozens. We get an idea of 
the person driving the car by the message or the image on the sticker. But if the Christian were to have a ‘bumper sticker,’ what would it look like, what would it say? Would those who come up to you have to squint to read it or would our non-verbals speak loud and clear? And then…what message would we be sending?
If we’re honest, we know there are some bumper stickers that can give us a laugh, but at the same time, there are some that are worthless. Their message is not worthy of repeating. But as children of God, what would our bumper sticker say? Would it bring a smile to the reader’s face or cause him to shake his head? Would anyone be able to read it? This Sunday morning we’re on the rebound from being stuffed from Thanksgiving. So as you get back into the regular routine, join us as we look at “the Christian’s Bumper Sticker.”
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, November 30, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Redeemed” – 458
This is one of our spiritual songs that carries a lot of energy. Each statement is repeated as we sing of our redemption. “Sweet is the song I’m singing today, I’m redeemed! I’m redeemed!” Not to be mistaken with the hymn by Fanny J. Crosby, this song was penned almost 100 years ago, almost 35 years after Crosby’s “Redeemed.” Maybe as Christians this could be one of our bumper stickers. Letting the world know we’re REDEEMED!
“Higher Ground” – no book
What a grand message we send when we sing, “I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day. Still praying as I onward bound, ‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’..” People will ‘read’ your life and know if you’re comfortable here in this life or if you’re looking for something better. Let your message (your bumper sticker) speak loud and clear,“My heart has no desire to stay…”
“Worthy is the Lamb” – no book
Taken from the book of Revelation and blended with the tune from “Just as I am,” we come away with a moving hymn we’ll sing before the Lord’s Supper. ‘You alone are worthy to open its seals, because You were slain and gave Your blood. You purchased every man for God. Oh, worthy is the Lamb, the Lamb…’ and then we read the text. “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Revelation 5:9
“When Peace Like a River” – 490
The tragic drowning of Horatio Spafford’s daughters motivated him to write this spiritual song of encouragement and strength. Whether or not our life is peaceful like a calm river, or turbulent like the waves of the sea, God’s children can say with confidence, “it’s OK, I have peace in Christ.” But many have missed this verse that is omitted from so many hymnals. Notice the striking message which would make for a great Christian bumper sticker,“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control. That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and has shed His own blood for my soul.” Maybe we should have bumper stickers that say, “It is well with my soul.”
“A Beautiful Life” – 570
What makes a life ‘beautiful?’ Is it the things we accomplish or the legacy we leave? Could it be the things we do or the things we say? Is a beautiful life “all of the above?” As we sing this song before our lesson, we’re singing about how we treat one another. How we act toward strangers and how, ultimately, we represent God. You might say a beautiful life is reflected in the entirety of our being. We sing about doing a golden deed, and striving to help some troubled soul. We’ll continue our song as we focus on a good and pure life that lends a helping hand. Does your life look beautiful to others or, more importantly, does your life honor God? Or do we just have good bumper stickers?
“I Know Whom I Have Believed” – 524
Not your typical invitation song, but notice the message we sing; “I know not how the Spirit moves, convincing men of sin, revealing Jesus thru the Word, creating faith in Him.” We sing it and we wear it…but do we truly believe it?
“Redeemed” – 514
Perhaps this is the best bumper sticker the Christian could boast “REDEEMED, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Redeemed thru His infinite mercy, His child and forever, I am!” Singing we announce that we love to proclaim our redemption. We sing about being ‘happy in Jesus’ and there’s no language to express our excitement. But ask yourself, when you’re alone at work with only your non-believing co-workers around…can they still read your bumper sticker?
How Does This Manna Taste to You?…Nov. 23rd
Being a ‘picky eater’ is what we would call the child who sits and stares at his food. And those infamous words, “I 
don’t like this!” are usually preceded by 30 minutes of sitting alone at the table watching the plate grow cold. Are we mean parents for insisting our kids eat what has been placed before them? Some might say ‘yes,’ while some believe otherwise. Worthy parents would never give their child something that wasn’t good for them, or would cause them harm. We provided for our children food that is nourishing and for their benefit.
And you know that God does the same. He gives us every good thing and blesses us in ways we can’t see. Still there are days when we sit down and say, “…but I don’t like this.” Perhaps the Israelite nation had this down pat as they ‘grumbled against the Lord.’ Whether it was manna from heaven or fresh quail, we read how “the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.” Exodus 16 Sunday mornings we look heavenward and count our blessings. But this week consider your meal and answer the question, “How does this manna taste to you?”
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, Nov. 23, 2014
You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“All Things Praise Thee” – 43
The hymn we’ll open with is a prayer that we might offer to God an acceptable, worthy praise. Each of the three verses begin with, ‘All things praise Thee…’ Praise flows to our God from the heavens and from the earth. From the silence of the night to the burning of the day God’s creation is constantly praising Him. The statement we make as we sing each of these verses is “Lord, may we!” It’s not a question, “may we worship God?” It’s an exclamation…May we Worship God as He deserves!
“Tis the Blessed Hour of Prayer” – 849
An hour of prayer…are you kidding me? If we spend more than a few minutes bowing our head and praying, our minds begin to wander. How could we spend an HOUR, a ‘blessed hour,’ in prayer? If we’re honest with ourselves it’s all a matter of the heart. When our hearts ‘lowly bend’ we come before God in a humble state of obedience. Who among us will sit for 3 hours watching a ball game? Or 2 hours in the theater? We do what we enjoy and we find blessing in that hour. You just have to decide if it will it be a blessed hour of prayer…or a blessed hour of play?
“In Christ Alone” – no book
As we prepare for the Lord’s Supper, this song of admonition serves as a memorial of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. While verse one consist of recognizing Him as our Cornerstone, solid ground and Comforter, verse two takes us from His birth to His crucifixion. Those who know this song cherish the third verse. As we begin singing softly of His burial, our voices ‘burst forth’ as we sing of His resurrection. The final verse gives us assurance in Christ as we sing, ‘No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand…’ How could anyone complain about the blessings we find in Christ?
“I Am Mine No More” – 683
A simple, short, three verse song with a simple message, “It’s not about me.” Not only do I give up any false pretension of being in control, we continue in the second verse proclaiming Jesus as Lord. The concluding verse anticipates His return. If “I am mine no more,” and if “Jesus is my Lord” when “He will come again…He’ll take me home.” Simple, but still how many will still grumble and complain about one of these steps?
“O Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – 226
The words of this old hymn are dated back to the mid-1700’s. Taking a reference from I Samuel (Ebenezer) and sprinkling in some poetic terms, this song of admonition should get us all to thinking. If you take nothing else from this song, you must focus in on the third verse. “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness like a fetter (chains) bind my wandering heart to Thee; (the original words continue) Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, O take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above.” Do you realize what you’re saying? You said that you want God’s goodness to chain you up to Him. Funny, but isn’t that kind of what we want to do with our children when they reject the good things we give them?
“Kneel at the Cross” – 945
As our invitation we’ll kneel before the cross and sing of ‘giving our idols up.’ The things we value in this life are worthless when compared to living for Christ. We are a blessed people, but do we turn toward the world rather than looking toward Him?
“When Upon Life’s Billows” – 742
Can you count your blessings? When was the last time you even tried? Undoubtedly we would be lost in thought trying to make a list of how much our God has given us. This old hymn encourages us to remember how much God has blessed us. When the storm of life is threatening us, when we’re discouraged, when we’re burdened or when we’re ‘amid the conflict,’ we can still find blessings from our God. Unless we’re too distracted by the complaining. Maybe we really should answer the question…”How does this manna taste to you?”
Inspired or Inspiring?…Nov. 16th
Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings I look forward to a text from my daughter. She is a sophomore at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee and her first 
class of the morning is at 7:30. Her ‘wake up’ call to me is a picture of the sunrise silhouetting the newly erected Bell Tower on campus. For me, those pictures are inspirational. And perhaps some architect was ‘inspired’ with this yet to be seen image. But regardless, we can find benefit in the final product.
Many in the world today find the words of God to be inspiring to them. They read (or hear) God’s word and it gives them a ‘good feeling.’ Perhaps they are even moved to be a better person, but is that the extent of God’s word? Is the inspiration good enough. Would it even be inspiring if it weren’t inspired? When we consider the inspiration of scripture we come face to face with a life altering decision. Sunday let’s consider the Word and ask the question…inspired or inspiring?
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, November 16, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Holy, Holy, Holy” – 47
“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God almighty…early in the morning our songs shall rise to Thee.” The ladies start us off as they sing this old hymn, but with each verse we’ll add a different part. For those who might have missed it, this hymn comes from the inspired word found in Isaiah chapter 6 and verse 3 as well as Revelation chapter 4, verse 8 as the prophet and the apostle write, “And one (of the Seraphim, vs. 2) called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of host…” (Isaiah) and “And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings and full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty…” (Revelation).
“The Lord is in His Holy Temple” – 108
As a segue from our song of praise, we’ll remember the words of Habakkuk in the 2nd chapter and 20th verse, “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.” (Read the whole chapter to get a better feel of this statement.) But where is His temple? Is it found in the heavenly realm? Read the words of Paul as he wrote to the church in Corinth, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” And so now we sing, “The Lord is in His holy temple…” Humble yourself, be quiet and realize, the Lord is in YOU!
“The Lord’s Supper” – no book
Simply entitled, “The Lord’s Supper,” this spiritual song brings to mind the reason we gather together each first day of the week. “When we meet in sweet communion where the feast divine is spread. Hearts are brought in closer union while partaking of the bread. Precious feast, all else surpassing, wondrous love for you and me. While we feast Christ gently whispers, ‘Do this in My memory.” Luke chapter 22, verse 19 provides us with the basis; “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
“Take My Life and Let it Be” – 669
Several arrangements of this poem can be found in a number of hymnals, yet lest we miss the message for the tune, notice the words. “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love. Take my will, and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine; take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne.” Within these two short verses we proclaim our life, our hands, our will and our heart belong to God. And in case we miss something, the chorus continues, “Lord I give my LIFE to Thee…”
“Rescue the Perishing” – 639
A familiar song, but Sunday we’ll sing the often, over looked 3rd verse. Notice the condition of the lost; “Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore; touched by a loving hand, wakened by kindness, chords that were broken will vibrate once more…” Let’s rescue the perishing and care for the dying. Because we know that Jesus is merciful and He will save!
“Faithful Love” – no book
Our song before the lesson speaks of the love God has for His children. A faithful love that is manifested in His Son. “Faithful love from above came to earth to show the Father’s love. And I’ll never be the same, for I’ve seen faithful love face to face and Jesus is His name.” No man alive today can say he has seen Jesus. So how could I say I’ve seen Jesus face to face? However, as a child of God, I have seen (poetically) His faithfulness in that, “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were (I was) yet sinners, Christ died for us (me).” Romans 5:8 Have I seen Jesus face to face? Not yet! Have I ‘come to know’ (seen) His faithful love? Every Christian would say, Praise be to God…Yes, when I was buried with Him in baptism!
“Thou Art the Way” – 280
Inspiration in life is knowing the inspired Word. The inspired word is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We must never forget that God’s word is more than just inspirational…it’s inspired.
“Where Could I Go?” – no book
Our closing song is a question even the disciples once asked. John records the situation in the 6th chapter as Jesus asks, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter replies, “…to whom shall we go?” And so we sing, “Where could I go but to the Lord?” Inspired words of God directing us in this life just as Peter said, “You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:67, 68)
They Are New Every Morning…Part II
Continuing the thought from Lamentations, we’ll look again at Jeremiah the prophet as he spoke about God’s mercies, “…they are new every morning.” When times are difficult and we can’t seem to see any hope, what is our response? Do we fall into despair or do we reach for higher, brighter days?
We have a tendency to question God’s rule. We, like Job, have questions and seek to understand God’s providence. If we were to stand before God, can we truly expect anything less than what He said to Job? As God spoke, He asked 
Job, “Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, and caused the dawn to know its place…?” The obvious answer is ‘no,’ we have no control over this world, the sunrise, the sunset, the sunshine or the rain. God is the Creator, and this is His world. So rather than question His work, we should take comfort in knowing He rules this earth and guards His people. The Creator of the universe, the One who ‘commands the morning’ is also our refuge and strength (Psalm 46). And even though ‘the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea’ children of God have no reason to fear. We know, as His creation, that we have a promise, “God is in the midst of her (His people), she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns…” Psalm 46:5. The psalmist is literally telling us that God will help His people at the turning of the morning. Could there be any greater comfort in knowing that the Maker of heaven and earth watches over His people at the dawning of each day? Though we might not have blue skies every morning, we know Who controls those skies. With that knowledge we have to reflect upon our attitude. What will we do when dark clouds gather? How will we deal with the devastating storms that strike our land? Will we take them in stride anticipating a new tomorrow, or will we look to place blame, bemoaning our current state of affairs? Ken Young once penned the words to a contemporary song entitled, Richly Blest. Within that message there is a thought that all Christians should champion. Throughout our days, regardless of our circumstances, whether things are good or bad, my God blesses me!
“Bluest skies, cloudy day, whether it’s good or bad that tends to come my way. From the highest hill or deepest valley I will claim His rest, for the One who loves me makes me richly blest.”
And just in case we come away thinking we have no responsibility in these ‘turning days,’ we must never forget God’s word as He spoke to His people in Deuteronomy 23. “Since the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to defeat your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy; and He must not see anything indecent among you or He will turn away from you.” When God looks into our lives, what does He see? Is our camp filled with things of this world or are we striving to keep our lives holy, as He is holy? God is with His people at the turning of the day, but only we will determine if we are among His people, walking as children of Light. Consider all the more 
the words of Paul as he wrote to the church in Ephesus, “…there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or course jesting, which are not fitting…Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience…walk as children of Light.” Ephesians 5:4-8. How can we expect to be richly blest if we harbor worldly behaviors? If our words and actions resemble the world, we will continue to live in darkness.
Though we may not know what tomorrow holds, we know who holds tomorrow. We have hope in what we cannot see; “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. We can find assurance in a brighter tomorrow even when today looks awfully dark. On this earth we’re never guaranteed another dawn, nor do we have assurance tomorrow will be sunny. But by maintaining our faith in Him and following His word, we have confidence in knowing…The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. As a matter of fact…they are new every morning!
Reading Your Own Future…Oct. 26th
What if you could tell the future? To know what’s coming up, would that be a good thing or would you be uncomfortable knowing there might be something not so pleasant just ahead of you? We take each day in stride because we trust in God’s providential power. But what if God Himself were to tell us what was coming? To know the future all we would need to do was read a message from Him. If the finger of God were to write you a note on the wall, would you read it?
Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “I can read the writing on the wall.” We use that statement 
to say we can see what’s about to happen. Not in a supernatural way, but that we can ‘read’ the situation. However, there was one man who really did see the hand writing on the wall. But for King Belshazzar, the message wasn’t very good (read Daniel chapter 5). Come worship with us on Sunday morning and we’ll give you a glimpse into ‘reading your own future.’
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, October 26, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Soldiers of Christ, Arise” – 647
What a great spiritual song of encouragement as we inspire one another to get up and get ready for battle. Not a war between political parties or individual ideologies, but a battle against the spirit of darkness (Ephesians 6). Notice verse 3 in this song and ask yourself, ‘Am I putting on the panoply of God?’ The FULL armor of God, not some of the armor, not most of the armor, but all the armor of God.
“In Moments Like These” – 239
Staying with the same musical key we’ll segue from “…You may overcome through Christ alone and stand entire at last.” …to… “In moments like these, I sing out a song, I sing out a love song to Jesus…” Being soldiers in the Lord’s army should give us excitement beyond compare. Why? Because we have a King who has already won the battle. He has given us a look into our own personal future.
“When My Love to Christ Grows Weak” – 350
How do you cope with struggles in life? When your faith is weak and your love for mankind, and for 
Christ, seems to be wavering where do you turn? This song will remind us of His suffering and will perhaps strengthen our own resolve. “When my love to Christ grows weak, when for deeper faith I seek, then in thought I go to Thee (Jesus, to the…) Garden of Gethsemane!” In the garden, poetically, “I walk amid the shades, while the lingering twilight fades.” If you were there with Him in the garden, you would “see this suffering, friendless One, weeping, praying there alone.” So for those of us who struggle in our love for mankind, and desire a stronger faith, perhaps we should go again (poetically) to the “Hill of Calvary…to the scenes of fear and woe.” Because, “there (we will) behold His agony as He suffered on the bitter tree.” After taking this journey in our mind, we will be ready to turn back again to our lives having learned the worth of pain and the power that comes in a full self-sacrifice.
“Sweet Adoration” – 253
A contemporary song we’ll sing during the passing of the collection plate that speaks of our adoration to God. Sweet adoration, glory, praise and devotion are what we should be giving to our God. During the ‘contribution’ we give our money…but how much of our life are we contributing to God? Let’s give Him our all so we can say, it is ‘the Divine One who reigns in our hearts.’
“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” – 538
We might not know the future events that will take place, but we do know what the future holds for God’s people. And knowing that we are His and He is victorious we have hope. Knowing that if we keep our hope (trust) in Christ and are ‘dressed in His righteousness alone,’ we’ll stand before His throne…faultless. Thanks be to God, we can read that handwriting on the wall.
“One Step at a Time” – no book
An older hymn written in the late 1800’s, we ask for Christ to walk with us one step at a time. In a world filled with terror and troubles, sickness and sin, we hold closest to the One who holds our future. That’s why we sing for patience in this first verse; “One step at a time, dear Savior: I can not take anymore, the flesh is so weak and hopeless, I know not what is before…” Though we know the outcome of this life, the promise that heaven’s mansions will appear, each day is still lived in uncertainty. Therefore we close our worship services with the following assurance…
“I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” – 463
“I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day…I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said, (Matthew 6:25-34) and today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead. Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.” King Belshazzar was reading his future as the finger of God wrote it out on a plaster wall. And it wasn’t until Daniel told him the meaning that He knew what it said. Today, spend some time…Reading Your Own Future!
They Are New Every Morning…Part I
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, says my soul. Therefore I will hope in Him.” Taken from the book of Lamentations, this passage has been sung for years and years. So during the next couple of weeks I hope you’ll enjoy a look at this passage from a different lens, and a special thanks to the Gospel Advocate for motivating my thoughts as we consider what’s ‘new every morning!’
“This morning we woke up to a dark and cloudy sky. The much anticipated warm sunshine was replaced by a cool, gray hue that reminds us of the changing seasons. The rain last night soaked our parched ground for which we are thankful. The storms have passed, but a cool darkness remains. Many would prefer sunshine to gloom, but it’s fine with me that fall has come and with it stormy weather. God’s creation is diverse and is cherished among His people. We take each new day for what it is, sunshine or rain, warm or cold, each new day is a gift from God. As Christians wake each morning, we experience a gift from God and the promise that comes with the new day. Each moment, as the sky brightens, we instinctively know the darkness will lose to a brighter sun. We will have a new day, a fresh start, another chance and a new beginning.
A Christian’s biggest worry is rarely the weather. Christians must be true to God’s Word, but that can be difficult when they feel caught up in an emotional or spiritual storm. Sometimes a season of dreariness can slowly weaken the Christian’s resolve, leaving him to wonder how he will make it through another day. Jeremiah is an excellent example of how a man who was strong in faith, yet who struggled with weakness. A prophet of God, Jeremiah prayed for the people of Judah (14:7), and yet lashed out against the sin of his countrymen (44:23). In the midst of his lamentation, Jeremiah recognized their need and came offering hope to a desperate nation. It was a period of storm and stress as the doom of entire nations, including Judah, was being sealed. In his sorrow Jeremiah laments, “My strength has perished, and so has my hope from the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:18) A man of God who has warned his people of the impending storm is now struggling with the darkness (3:6). Yet in his sorrow and weeping, Jeremiah turns his heart and mind back to God. The sun will shine again and the darkness of the storm will pass. Jeremiah reminds us of the mercy of the Lord, and admonishes God’s people to hold fast to this hope. As he encourages the Israelite nation, Jeremiah continues in the 22nd verse, “The Lord’s loving-kindness indeed never ceases, for His compassions never fail.” With that promise we take courage, fully understanding that regardless of the storms, we have hope. God is faithful to His people, to those who follow and obey His word. Jeremiah continued, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.” (3:25) It may be hard to wait for and to seek God when the storm rages, but the promise of God’s goodness should always give us strength. Children of God must recognize, cherish and hold fast to God’s loving-kindness.
Since the 1970’s, young Christian people across this nation have sung the words of Jeremiah found in Lamentations chapter 3. Many know this passage by heart, but few know it in context. And so we sing…
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness! ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul. ‘Therefore I will hope in Him.’ ”
But how can we see God’s compassion when darkness veils our sight? Some believe His compassion has ceased when nothing but storm clouds cover their heads. How could a compassionate God allow destruction and sorrow? Does Jesus even care? There may be over-cast skies and stormy weather today, but remember there is always hope for tomorrow. And with that steadfast hope, there is a promise of sunshine. Jeremiah continues to speak about God’s never failing compassion, “…they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” With the passing of night, comes the dawning of a new day. The compassion of our God never fails His people. As the new day dawns upon this tired, old earth, so our God is faithful to rain down compassion upon His children.”
We’ll continue this thought in a week or two…but until then, listen to this arrangement by an acapella group known as Blacappella. They combine the text of Lamentations 3 with the sentiments of Paul in Philippians 2. “We place You on the highest place…”
Can a Christian Be a Thinking Person?…Oct. 19th
It was written in 1929 by Ernest Hemingway in the novel, A Farewell to Arms. A simple sentence that haunts mankind, “All thinking men are atheists.” The secular world would have you believe that faith in God is weakness and scientific ignorance. 
In a world that speaks with disdain toward God and elation toward self, what is a Christian to do? What can we say that will convince the ‘un-churched’ to reconsider their path of ungodliness? When we profess our belief in “…God created…”, the world dismisses this as ancient myth. But we believe in an intellectually superior God who shaped and formed the earth. Remember what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, “They (unbelievers) are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of the hearts.”
Waterview welcomes Dr. Phil Thompson of Harding University on Sunday, October 19th. He will be presenting two classes and two lessons designed to answer the question, “Can thinking people believe?”
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, Oct. 19, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” – 162
Built into a medley with “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah,” we’ll begin our worship together with these songs of praise. “All hail the power of Jesus’ name let angels prostrate fall! Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all…” Is Christ the Lord of your life? You make that decision, though your decision has no bearing on His royalty. He reigns! We will either follow Him or we will not. A foolish, deceived world will not, but rest assured, He is Lord of All!
“Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah” – 3
Taken from the 148th Psalm we’ll sing the scripture in this ‘psalm.’ Have you read it lately? If not, after we sing it you really should read it! His divine power is reinforced in His creation, everything praises Him. The question is…will you?
“We Saw Thee Not” – 342
Before the Lord’s Supper we’ll sing the first three verses remembering Christ’s death. Perhaps the power comes in the conclusion of each of these verses as we sing (twice for emphasis), “But we believe…”
“My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” – 582
Not an overly familiar song, but one which we need to understand and daily echo the chorus, “I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died and rose again for me.” Do you have the faith to be able to not only sing these word, but believe them and live your life accordingly?
“O Listen to the Wondrous Story” – 496
Before our lesson we’ll sing this popular spiritual song written more than 100 years ago. The third verse is a great question to the listener as we sing, “Will you surrender to this Savior? To His scepter humbly bow? You, too, shall come to know His favor, He will save you, save you now.” Then the chorus resounds with a question and answer, “Who saved us from eternal loss! Who but God’s Son upon the cross? What did He do? He died for you! Where is He now? Believe it thou, In heaven interceding!”
“Trust and Obey” – 915
“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His world, what a glory He sheds on our way…” You most likely know this song by heart having sung it for years. But often we are familiar with the first, second and last verses and have never fully learned the third verse. But this morning consider a line from this song which has implications on today’s lesson. “But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor He shows, and the joy He bestows, are for those who will trust and obey.” So where are you in regard to laying your all on the altar. Or are you still trying to see if you can prove the delights of His love?
“Love Lifted Me” – 453
A rousing song as we part this morning. We will sing over and over the message of the chorus, “Love lifted me…” Do you find that living for Christ lifts your spirits? The child of God understands this ‘lift’ and finds comfort in his belief in a Savior. Though the world may think us to be ignorant or backward, we know where to look when we’re ‘sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore…’ Let’s not keep this story of salvation to ourselves. There is a dying world out there who desperately needs a Savior.