Jesus Saves

We are nothing without Jesus.  We are everything in the hands of God.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16 (NASB)

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Let this be a time of worship to God.  Pray each prayer and add your own personal message to God.  Read each scripture as though reading it for the first time – listen carefully for the voice of God.  Listen to each song paying close attention to the lyrics provided.  These songs were carefully chosen.  Even if the music is not your favorite style of music, know that the musicians performing are sincerely making music to the Lord.  Try to feel the passion in their words and their musical expression.  Give thought to the message presented and confirm the truth therein by opening your Bible and taking some time to do your own personal study.  May you be greatly blessed.

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Let’s Pray Together

Heavenly Father, we stand in your presence in awe of your awesome power and love.  We seek that which is your will in our lives and look forward to the return of your Son Jesus Christ.  Please Father, wrap your arms around each of us and provide for us all of our needs.  Forgive us Father, for all of our mistakes and failures in our pursuit of righteousness.  Develop in us the ability to also forgive those who disrupt our lives.  Open our eyes Father, to the enemy who is in pursuit of our souls.  Let us see clearly the evil trying to control our lives so that we can avoid destruction.  We offer this prayer in the Holy name of Jesus.  Amen.

Jesus Saves

There’s a great old hymn that closes with this line: “Shout salvation full and free, highest hills and deepest caves, this our song of victory, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.”  We are all helpless sinners.  Precisely why God created us with that sinful nature is not fully known.  Regardless, God sent his Son to save us from our sins.  As sinners we cannot be in God’s eternal presence; however, when we place our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as payment for our sins, we receive his salvation and gain the gift of eternal life.  Through Jesus Christ we have an open door to the presence of God.

Life in this world is not easy.  Most of us have ongoing struggles.  These difficult times are a training ground for our eternal salvation.  As followers of Jesus, we are children of God on the road to an eternal destiny in the kingdom of God.  The troubles that plague our current lives are a momentary affliction that we will most certainly overcome because we believe – because we have faith in Jesus.

Allow this song to speak to your heart:

We Believe – Newsboys

In this time of desperation

When all we know is doubt and fear

There is only one foundation

We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father

We believe in Jesus Christ

We believe in the Holy Spirit

And He’s given us new life

We believe in the crucifixion

We believe that He conquered death

We believe in the resurrection

And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

So, let our faith be more than anthems

Greater than the songs we sing

And in our weakness and temptations

We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father

We believe in Jesus Christ

We believe in the Holy Spirit

And He’s given us new life

We believe in the crucifixion

We believe that He conquered death

We believe in the resurrection

And He’s comin’ back again

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised

In the here and now, let love invade

Let the church live love our God will see

We believe, we believe

And the gates of hell will not prevail

For the power of God, has torn the vail

Now we know Your love will never fail

We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father

We believe in Jesus Christ

We believe in the Holy Spirit

And He’s given us new life

We believe in the crucifixion

We believe that He conquered death

We believe in the resurrection

And He’s comin’ back

He’s comin’ back again

He’s comin’ back again

We believe

We believe

Following Jesus

Our decision to follow Jesus is not fully our own.  Anyone who wants to know God can seek him through Jesus Christ.  God acknowledges your sincere heart by calling you to become a follower of Jesus – that calling then becomes your destiny.

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NASB)

What an honor to be recognized by God in this way!  In His mercy, God frees us from our sin and points the way forward through the teachings of Jesus.  Our mission is to become more and more like Jesus each day.  Our ultimate goal is to shine the light of truth on the world in such a way that our lives reflect the image of Jesus.

“Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”  1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NASB)

Most people know the story of David and Goliath.  In a battle between the Philistines and the Israelites, it was decided that each army would send out a single champion to fight and determine the outcome of the battle.  The Philistines sent out an enormous man named Goliath who carried an equally large sword.  None of the Israelites had the courage to face Goliath except a young boy named David who knew God was on his side.  David faced Goliath with a rock and a sling and won.  This is the kind of power believers possess.  When God says he is with us, we are assured of the victory.  When we demonstrate our love for God by following Jesus, our victory is assured. God is faithful.  He will deliver on all of his promises.  We are safe in his hands.

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NASB)

Believers have been called by God to stand firm in his promises.  Believers are to reflect the image of Jesus on the world.  We are nothing without Jesus.  We are everything in the hands of God.  We need to let the world see Jesus in our lives.

Allow this song to speak to your heart:

Nobody – Casting Crowns & Matthew West

Why You ever chose me

Has always been a mystery

All my life, I’ve been told I belong

At the end of a line

With all the other Not-Quites

With all the Never-Get-It-Rights

But it turns out they are the ones You were looking for

All this time

‘Cause I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody

All about Somebody who saved my soul

Ever since You rescued me, You gave my heart a song to sing

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

Moses had stage fright

And David brought a rock to a sword fight

You picked twelve outsiders nobody would’ve chosen

And You changed the world

Well, the moral of the story is

Everybody’s got a purpose

So when I hear that devil start talking to me, saying

“Who do you think you are?” I say

I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody

All about Somebody who saved my soul

Ever since You rescued me, You gave my heart a song to sing

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

So let me go down, down, down in history

As another blood-bought faithful member of the family

And if they all forget my name, well, that’s fine with me

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

So let me go down, down, down in history (Go down in history)

As another blood-bought faithful member of the family

(It’s all I ever wanna be) And if they all forget my name, well, that’s fine with me

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus, yeah

I’m just a nobody (Nobody)

Trying to tell everybody

All about Somebody

Who saved my soul (Oh, saved my, saved my soul)

Ever since You rescued me

You gave my heart a song to sing (You gave me a song to sing)

I’m living for the world to see

Nobody but Jesus (Nobody but You, Lord)

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

God’s Love & Mercy Never Ends

God is willing to set aside all of our misdeeds when we acknowledge his Son and seek to follow his teaching.  Essentially, we are given a new birth with a new identity and character which completely changes our relationship with God.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  1 Peter 1:3 (NASB)

God’s mercy is only surpassed by his great love.  As believers, we experience God’s love daily through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  There can be no greater demonstration of love than God sending his Son to die on our behalf.

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8 (NASB)

God’s love and mercy never end.  As believers, we stand together against the enemy and hold fast to our commitment to love one another as God loves us.  Praise God for sending his Son.  Praise God for the family of believers who share in his great mercy.

“Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 136:26 (NASB)

The kingdom of God is in the hearts of all believers traveling on the road to eternity.  There is no better place to be.  Can you say amen to that?

Allow this song to speak to your heart:

All The People Said Amen – Matt Maher

You are not alone if you are lonely

When you feel afraid, you’re not the only

We are all the same in need of mercy

To be forgiven and be free

It’s all you got to lean on

But thank God it’s all you need

And all the people said Amen, whoa oh

And all the people said Amen

Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends

And all the people said Amen

If you’re rich or poor, well it don’t matter

Weak or strong, you know love is what we’re after

We’re all broken but we’re all in this together

God knows we stumble and fall

And He so loved the world He sent His son to save us all

And all the people said Amen, whoa oh

And all the people said Amen

Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends

And all the people said Amen

Blessed are

The poor in spirit who are torn apart

Blessed are

The persecuted and the pure in heart

Blessed are

The people hungry for another start

For this is the Kingdom

The Kingdom of God

And all the people said Amen, whoa oh

And all the people said Amen

Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends

And all the people said Amen (yeah)

And all the people said Amen, whoa oh

And all the people said Amen

Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends

And all the people said Amen

And all the people said Amen

Thank you for spending this time worshiping God.

His door is now open to you.  You are in God’s presence.  Don’t leave without Him.  Keep Him with you throughout your day.

Go in peace.

All scripture references are linked to Bible Gateway so that you can read each verse in context.  Bible Gateway allows you to change the verse to your favorite translation and compare it side-by-side with multiple translations.  In addition, you can select to hear an audio version of any verse by clicking on the speaker icon.  Keep the Bible Gateway App on your phone so that you can visit the Word of God at any time during your day.

Walking With Jesus