the wafting smell of fresh, homemade cookies baking in the kitchen. Even the shadow of a dark cloud covering over the sun can cause my focus to turn toward the skies. Perhaps ‘focus’ is a fragile thing to be swayed by such small factors. Unfortunately our focus is so splinted in life, that we find ourselves focused on so many things that we miss what’s most important. Work, sports, entertainment, even ‘self’ seems to be our focus today. Take a look at your iPhone, how many ‘selfies’ do you have in your photos? You see, we are good at focusing on our self and too often miss the ‘big picture’ (no pun intended.) And since focusing is a Biblical idea, let me ask you to ‘focus’ on and consider the Hebrew writer’s admonitions…
faith. And we must be willing to FIX our focus on Him! When we do that, all the other worldly sensations will cease to ‘allure me’ or compete for my attention. The sounds outside the window, the aromas that entice and the sights that distract can be more easily ignored. Ken Young penned a song (psalm) that takes these words, almost verbatim, and gives us an idea of how we keep our focus on Him.Crossing the Finish Line…April 21st
Monday afternoon, April 15th, our country suffered yet another ‘terrorist’ attack. As the runners neared the finish line of the Boston Marathon, a bomb shattered the lives of hundreds and thousands of people. Even while we are ‘running the race’ and trying to finish strong, tragedy can strike at our hearts. But I encourage the reader to turn to God, and worship.
This Sunday morning, April 21st, we will talk about another finish line. The one that we all will cross as life comes to a close. Our lesson is designed to draw us closer to thinking about how we are running the race of life. No anticipation of explosions and surprises, but we are all running toward the finish line.
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, April 21, 2013
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“I Stand Amazed” – 147
This spiritual song is one that we could use to prepare our minds for the Lord’s Supper. With both the second and third verse referencing Christ crucifixion we are reminded of his ‘sweat drops of blood‘ and the burden He bore to Calvary. So it shouldn’t be a surprise for the redeemed to sing the refrain… “O how marvelous! O how wonderful! Is my Savior’s love for me.”
“I Sing Praises” – 97
Written almost 25 years ago, this contemporary song is basic in format. With the title being the first verse, the Christian offers a hymn to our Lord. “I sing praises to Your name, O Lord, praises to Your name…for Your name is great and greatly to be praised.” The Psalmist writes, “I will praise You among the nations.” (Psalm 18:49)
“In Christ Alone” – no book
Consider this song of admonition as we prepare our minds to commemorate our Lord’s death, burial and resurrection. As verse one consist of recognizing 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 the assurance of our security in Christ as we sing, ‘No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand…”
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” – 314
For this morning’s worship service, we’ll sing only the 3rd and 4th verses of this spiritual song. As we pause between the bread and the fruit of the vine, together we’ll look ‘Upon that cross of Jesus…the very dying form of One who suffered there for me…” As we continue singing this verse ask yourself if your heart is indeed smitten with tears when you consider His glorious love and our (my own) worthlessness.
“Consider Him” – 593
Not necessarily a familiar psalm, but as we sing, we’ll be singing scripture. In Hebrews 12:1-3, we read of the encouragement we find in knowing that we’re surrounded by those who have gone before us. Do you get worn out in life as you ‘run the race?’ The Hebrew writer encourages us to “…consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners…” Why consider Him? “…so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.”
“Hilltops of Glory” – no book
“Onward rejoicing, I tread life’s way…” This song before our lesson dates back to the mid 1950’s and we sing about pressing on toward heaven. The chorus posses a great question, “O brother, won’t you come go with me?” How will you answer the chorus? Maybe you need to ask yourself, ‘Am I asking the question?’
“Only a Step” – 940
How far away from God do you think you are? What kind of step(s) do you need to take to get right with Christ? This invitation song begins with the call to ‘Hear the sweet voice of Jesus…’ In John 14:6, Jesus says, ‘I am the way…No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The writer of this song encourages us with the understanding that Jesus is only a step away. Those who have been baptized into Christ at one time stepped into the watery grave of baptism. If you are not a child of God and you wonder how far away is He? The answer is simple…He’s only a step away.
“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” – 613
What does it mean ‘time is filled with swift transition?’ Obviously swift is quick and transition is to change…so as we sing this song we’re saying, “time (life) changes fast”. How true…and this spiritual song encourages us to “hold to God’s hand” as time changes. It’s been said, “time changes everything”. There’s a lot of truth to that, but we can rest assured that when our journey is finished, and if we’ve been true to God, our joyful hearts will view glory. In the mean time, we’ve got to hold to God’s unchanging hand.