Just the Gospel

/ The Pastor

From the sermon this morning. This can not be said enough. So I am going to just leave this right here…

My friends, through faith in Jesus Christ, your sins have been forgiven and thus you have been justified in the eyes of God. You cannot justify yourself. But your filthy rags have been removed and the white robe of righteousness has been placed on you. Jesus has personally dressed you with the wedding garment and has seated you at the banquet table. Through his death and resurrection, you have been made new. This is not from you. This is not something you can obtain through self-justification for you are unclean, dirty and filthy; always falling short of the glory of God. You are sinner. The justification that places you in God’s holy courts; His kingdom, is pure gift. It is all grace. Confess that you are a sinner and know a love like no other.

Preaching Preparation Prayer

/ The Pastor

Holy God, Your Word is truth. Your Word is Life. Your Word is living and active. Your Word speaks to the heart and inflames the soul. Oh God, speak to us this morning through Your Word and through the words that I speak. May this not be a self-glorifying speech but a faithful proclamation of Your Word; for I am not a good speaker, preacher or writer therefore if this were left up to me I would surely bring it all to ruin. And so, I beg of You to send now Your Holy Spirit, not just to guide me but to open our hearts to receive this Word, for Your Word is truth. Your Word is Life. To You be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Evening Peace

/ The Pastor

You gather me in as a hen sheltering her brood under her loving wings.
You protect my life as a brave and fierce guard taking his post on the city wall.
You watch over me as loyal shepherd keeping watch over his sheep for the hungry wolves.
You hold me close as a nursing mother longingly gazing at her sleeping child.
Oh God, I will sleep in peace this night for You are with me. I commend myself to You. I am Yours. Amen.

Neighborly Living

/ The Pastor

As the morning light shines on me,
may Your love warm my soul.
As the birds sing their praise,
I too worship You.
As the dew of the dawn refreshes the ground,
nourish me with Your Word.
As the sun’s rays brighten this new day,
reveal to me Your glory again and again.
Oh God, Your mercies are new every morn and Your love is ever refreshing.
Your glory is amazing and wonderful.
Your grace is abundant and true.
May this day be another chance for me to live for You and shine the light of Your love.
I know that I fell way short of Your glory yesterday.
Forgive and restore me.
Fashion and mold me.
Shape and direct me.
Renew my heart.
Wipe my slate clean.
Oh God, I long for another chance to make much of You as You have made much of me.
May Your Spirit continue to dwell in me and Your love ooze from my being as a over-soaked sponge. May I not seek ones worthy of my love, but as in the parable of the Good Samaritan, may I simply be a good neighbor;
Doing justice,
Loving kindness,
And walking humbly with You.
And so, I embark: equip me, empower me, embolden me.
You are worth it beyond all measure.
To You be all glory, honor, praise and worship, through Christ Jesus my Lord.
Amen.

Light Prevails

/ The Pastor

There is no barrier.
There is no force.
There is nothing that can stop Your light from shining forth.
Darkness can not boast.
Evil will not win.
Satan has been defeated.
Oh Lord, Your light prevails.
The world tries to get in the way,
but You will not be denied.
The world tries to restrain,
but You will not be held down.
The world tries to redefine,
but You are who You are.
Oh Lord, Your light prevails.
People try to silence You.
Governments try to legislate You.
Preachers misrepresent You.
Oh Lord, Your light prevails.
You shine in the darkest dark.
You radiate in the gloomiest gloom.
You glow with the purest love.
Oh Lord, Your light prevails.
You are the Light of the world.
You are the Light of my life.
You are THE Light.
Oh Lord, You have prevailed.

The Path

/ The Pastor

Creator God, awesome and mighty,
You burst forth in the morning,
holding nothing back.
You make a grand entrance,
announcing Your presence.
Oh Lord, there You are.
But how, oh Lord, can anyone possibly say this isn’t from You? How could they even think such things?
I am perplexed by that thought.
For there is nothing random here. Only Your masterful hand lovely painting every stroke of color; each one planned and purposefully presented that all glory may be Yours.
Every hue.
Every ray of light.
Every beautiful detail.
Everything! – emanates from You.
Oh Lord my God, You blessed me this morning with this beautiful tapestry; for to see it was a pathway to Your glory – knowing that something even greater than this awaits me because of Jesus.
Oh God, I am in awe.
Wow!
Thank You for this morning artwork, but even more than that, thank You for this path to remember Your grace through Jesus Christ. I can hardly wait to see what awaits me.
To You be all glory, honor, praise and worship, through Christ Jesus my Lord.
Amen.

The Lake

/ The Pastor

Peaceful and quiet,
your waters are serene.
Gentle and tranquil,
Oh, how I love this scene.

The sun’s rising slow.
The colors of the morn.
You help set the stage.
This day will be adorned.

The loons sing their song.
My children laugh and play.
The sounds of the lake,
I could listen all day.

Time is so slow here,
Just inching right along.
Oh so refreshing,
I wish I could prolong.

But sadly we’ll leave,
And have to say goodbye.
God, thanks for this lake,
Its You I glorify.

In the Morning

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

In the morning You treat me to You glory.
In the morning You shine Your love on me.
In the morning Your mercies blaze anew.
In the morning Your radiance lights up my life.
May the light of Your love fill me and direct me; leading me in the ways of righteousness that brings You glory.
May I see people with Your eyes and treat them thus; as beloved children in Your care.
May I show grace and mercy; for the grace and mercy You have shown me is beyond comprehension.
May I shine bright this day; leading people to see Your radiance.
Oh God, this day You created for me is for You and thus I worship You.
You are awesome!
To You be all glory.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

Bright and Beautiful

/ The Pastor

Oh God, bright and beautiful,
Whose love is warmer than the noontide sun,
You are glorious and gracious,
And I am truly blessed.
As the sun shines on me this day,
May Your grace warm my soul.
As the breeze cools my face,
May Your Spirit comfort me.
Oh God, bright and beautiful,
Whose power created this new day,
Create in me a clean heart,
That Your glory may shine through me.
Your mercy is new every morning,
Your wonder springs afresh,
You are the master artisan,
And I never ceased to be amazed.
Oh God, bright and beautiful,
My Father and my Lord.
Thank You for this new day,
And guide me in Your Way.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

Praying the Psalms ~ Psalm 8

/ The Pastor

READ: Psalm 8 (and again)
“Oh LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!“
A great Psalm of praise; one to meditate on as you worship God our Father through Christ Jesus our Lord…

Oh LORD, my Lord, how majestic is Your name.
Oh Lord, how great is Your name above all names.
You reign victorious from heaven above,
And to You is the glory and all acclaim.

Your glory is the highest than anyone.
Your strength is greater and unsurpassed oh Lord.
Your victory over this world is certain,
And thus You are forever to be adored.

But who am I that You should even notice.
For I am small and a betrayer of You.
I have turned from Your ways and thus I’m condemned.
I’m a sinner and thus Your wrath has accrued.

But You have redeemed me through Jesus my Lord.
You have raised me up from the power of sin.
Oh LORD, my Lord, how majestic is Your name.
For through Your grace, in Your courts I’ll live therein.