Archive for Devotional with Hymn

The Gift of God’s Spirit

2014-05-25 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Acts 2

Jesus spent many of His precious final hours here on earth teaching His disciples about the coming of His Holy Spirit. And looking at the early Church through the book of Acts, one can understand why. The gift of God’s indwelling Spirit changed the Church from timid, self-centered individuals to a bold and loving body of disciples. They left their fearful hiding and became effective witnesses to the Living Christ.

As we trust Him, God’s Spirit becomes one with our spirit, planting within us His life, His love, His power, His holiness, and the inexpressible loveliness of His presence.

Look at the difference this Gift has made in our world, in the Church, and in our lives. Then ask yourself what untapped potential is still there. How could God’s Spirit glorify the Living Christ through us if we trusted Him more simply and constantly? How would He transform us if we focused our desires on hearing and following Him? Where would He lead us? How would He use us?

What beautiful oneness would we enjoy if each of us only wanted what He wants?

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Pentecost Hymn
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Prepare Yourself for Praise

2014-05-22 Congregational Song, Devotional with Hymn, Hymns No comments

This is the 17th in a series of Friday posts on congregational song.

We had a new minister of music, and changes inevitable. What kind of leader would he be? Would I enjoy his songs? What styles would he choose? Would the service be exciting?

But then I realized:

What we get out of corporate worship depends less on the worship leader, less on the level of excitement, and more on what we bring into the service.

We need to prepare our minds and hearts for worship. Without that, focus is missing. Our thoughts wander. Our hearts are far away. We get distracted. We become critical.

Lord, You have invited us to come before You together, as a people. Help us to come prepared, focused, longing, and expecting. Help us to come seeking You. You, Holy Lord.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: We Come Seeking You
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Jesus Walks among Us

2014-05-18 Devotional with Hymn No comments

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me…and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in the furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters…His face was like the sun shining in its brilliance. 

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
(Revelation 1:12-18, NIV)

This is John’s vision of the Christ that walks among us now. He is not the Galilean carpenter, but the risen, ascended, glorified Christ in all His splendor.

His eyes are like blazing fire. He sees reality. He sees everything as it truly is: this world…the Church…our lives and hearts.

His voice is like the roar of a mighty waterfall. He speaks from absolute authority and wisdom. He speaks from pure love.

He is walking among us. He sees. He is speaking. Father, help us to turn to Him often, listen, and obey.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: The Glorified Christ
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Daily Love

2014-05-13 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Owe no one anything, except to love one another.
(Romans 13:8, NRSV)

Did you know you are in debt to everyone around you?
You owe each person this:
to love them as you love yourself.

We have so many grand goals.
We get wrapped up in so many worthy
desires,
ambitions, and
ministries.

But Jesus said that the most important thing in all the world,
next to loving God completely,
is to love those around us as much as we love ourselves.

God is love.
Turn to Him.
Talk to Him.
As you walk with Him,
He will lead you into a life of love.

Jesus, help me love others
as I love myself.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: I Look to You, and You Are Love
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At Home with the Father

2014-05-11 Devotional with Hymn No comments

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23, NIV)

Earlier in this same chapter, in John 14:1-3, Jesus said that the Father’s house has many “dwelling places” and that He will come again and take us to live with Him forever.

But then He says, in v.23, above, that if we love the Father, He will love us and come to us and make His “dwelling place” with us here and now. It’s the same word for “dwelling place” in both verses.

Here in this world, God is glad to make His home with us, humble and human as we are. He knows us, flaw by flaw, yet He gladly joins His life to ours. We share His love…His peace…His joy. We breathe His breath. He lives in us, and we in Him. His holy life is a growing part of our own.

Our togetherness has a beautiful beginning now and a glorious completion hereafter. Our satisfaction in God and our rest in Him are not limited by time or place. They are not just someday. They are here and now and forever as we simply trust Him.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Your Love, Holy Father
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As I Want to Be Treated

2014-05-06 Devotional with Hymn No comments

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.
(Matthew 7:12, NIV)

Relationships can be so complex and puzzling.
How do we know how to handle
the many situations and personalities that come our way?

Jesus has given us one simple rule.
It’s easy to remember and easy to understand:
Treat other people the way you want to be treated.
This single command sums up all God has to teach us about
living in harmony with each other.

Try it!
And ask Him for help.
He’s glad to give it.

Lord, help me
treat each person
as I want to be treated. 

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Live in Love
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The I AM

2014-05-04 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Jesus Christ is the Word become flesh (John 1:14).
He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
He is all the fullness of the Deity in bodily form (Colossians 2:9).
He is the radiance of the Father’s glory and
       the exact representation of His very being (Hebrews 1:3).

Holy God is now human.
The Almighty shares our weakness.
Our Sovereign is a humble servant.
The Unapproachable One grants us unlimited access.
The Transcendent, the Incomprehensible, the Unimaginable
has come to us, and
we see Him face to face.

Mystery and intimacy,
power and dependence,
time and eternity
are seamlessly combined in Him.

The Unknowable is knowable
by childlike faith alone.
The glory of the Infinite God,
of whom the vast universe is only a passing glimpse and a faint whisper,
is fully revealed in this One.

He shares with us
His wisdom,
His heart,
His breath, and
His peace.
He welcomes us with open arms,
holds us gently in His hand,
lovingly speaks our name, and
calls Himself our Brother.

All that the Father has,
all that He is, and
all the gifts of His magnificent Being
are ours forever in this One:
Jesus Christ.

Holy Father,
in Jesus Christ
You have removed all the barriers
between You and me.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: We Can Know Our God Transcendent
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Father, Whatever Glorifies You

2014-04-29 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Not my will, but yours be done.
(Luke 22:42, NIV)

Pray this prayer when you are caught in a swirl of events beyond your control.
Pray it during frustrating times;
during uncertain times,
when things aren’t working out right.

Jesus considered His most difficult days as
His best chance to glorify His Father.
He knew that as He hung on the Cross,
the Father’s love would shine the brightest.

So it is with us.
Often our most difficult times are when
others see God’s love and power most clearly in our lives.

Are you willing to let Him use your suffering to glorify himself?

Father,
whatever glorifies You.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Glorify Your Name
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The Good Shepherd

2014-04-27 Devotional with Hymn No comments

John 10:1-18

Good Shepherd,
lead me through this day.
Call me by name,
and help me hear Your voice in my heart.
May I follow no voice but Yours.

Lead me out, Lord.
Always go with me and before me.
Lead me to Your provision for today:
Your bread,
Your work,
Your rest.

Good Shepherd,
You are the door.
Through You I enter into life.
You are always standing in front of me,
protecting me from the Evil One.

Good Shepherd,
You lay down Your life for me.
I am Your own.
The same knowing that binds You to Your Father
now binds me to You.

You are love.
Speak, Lord.
My heart is listening.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Good Shepherd
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Difficulties

2014-04-22 Devotional with Hymn No comments

[Jesus told His disciples:]
You will be handed over to the local councils and
flogged in the synagogues.
On account of me you will stand before governors and kings
as witnesses to them.
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial,
do not worry beforehand about what to say.
Just say whatever is given you at the time,
for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
(Mark 13:9-11, NIV)

My Lord, sometimes You seem to lead me into difficult situations.
Sometimes You force me to deal with
difficult people,
difficult decisions and
difficult tasks.

Sometimes You allow
opposition,
rejection,
injustice,
misunderstanding,
illness and
loss to enter my life.

Jesus,
I will accept each unpleasant circumstance
as a new place to witness to You.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: God’s Mysterious Ways
Recording
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