Your Rescue Story

Everyone has the ability to be rescued from certain death and carried into all eternity in the arms of Jesus.

“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.

Your Rescue Story

We are all standing on a tiny ledge perched above jagged cliffs below, in the midst of total darkness, until that day when we reach out and take the hand of God.  Those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior each have a profound personal rescue story to tell.  Those who are still searching and seeking, need only turn away from this world and walk toward Jesus.  Everyone has the opportunity to be rescued.  What is your rescue story?

“He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB)

God created each of us with the ability to accept or reject his offer of salvation.  Our inborn selfish nature prevents us from joining God in his eternal kingdom.  As a remedy, God sent his son to die on our behalf so that we might live.  When we admit our inadequacies and place our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we regain our ability to live forever with God.

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21(NASB)

There is absolutely nothing we have to do to earn God’s favor other than love him with our whole heart and to reach out to others with that same love.  When we walk with Jesus, we are filled with the Holy Spirit that provides us direction, protection from evil, and an intimate connection to God.  There is no list of good deeds we need to accomplish to achieve salvation through Jesus Christ.  Salvation is a gift from God available to all – everyone has the ability to be rescued from certain death and carried into all eternity in the arms of Jesus.

“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”  Romans 5:18 (NASB)

Praise God for sending his Son to rescue us all!  Praise God for your specific rescue story!  Praise God for those who still have the opportunity to be rescued from darkness and carried into the light!  None of us are worthy – all of us are eligible.  God knows you by name and prepared your rescue story before you were born.  Praise God now and forever!

Let this song fill your spirit.

Who Am I – Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I, that the bright and morning star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am

But because of what you’ve done

Not because of what I’ve done

But because of who you are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still you hear me when I’m calling

Lord, you catch me when I’m falling

And you’ve told me who I am

I am yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love

And watch me rise again?

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am

But because of what you’ve done

Not because of what I’ve done

But because of who you are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still you hear me when I’m calling

Lord, you catch me when I’m falling

And you’ve told me who I am

I am yours

Not because of who I am

But because of what you’ve done

Not because of what I’ve done

But because of who you are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still you hear me when I’m calling

Lord, you catch me when I’m falling

And you’ve told me who I am

I am yours

I am yours

I am yours

Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?

‘Cause I am yours

I am yours

Worth Fighting For

Often, after we’ve been rescued, we continue to struggle with life in this world.  There is a myth among some, that the Christian life is a life of endless comfort – this is not the case for most.  Our time spent in this world is purposefully difficult.  God is using our life in this world to teach us everything we need to know to join him in our eternal life to come.  Central to our instruction is the battle between good and evil.  We need to be masters over the darkness and deliverers of the light.

“You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.”  Ephesians 5:8 (NASB)

Followers of Jesus are part of the constant battle between good and evil – darkness and light.  We will be pushed around and challenged in many different ways as a result.  While this can be quite difficult at times, there is great value in fighting this battle – our reward in heaven is unimaginable.  Our eternal existence with God in His kingdom will be never-ending.  Our time spent in this world will eventually be completely forgotten.

“Momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.”  2 Corinthians 4:17 (NASB)

Every battle we face builds our spiritual character.  Just like an athlete who endures a painful workout in order to achieve victory, we must also be willing to fight for our life to come.  Indeed, our fight is not only for our eternal existence, but we are at the same time fighting for each other, as we all stand toe-to-toe with the evil that permeates this world.  Together, we will without question, eventually achieve victory.

“We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Romans 5:3-5 (NASB)

Ultimately, this fight has already been won.  God fought for us by sending His Son to die on our behalf.  As a result, the devil no longer has the power of death over our lives.  Just as Jesus conquered death, we too have been granted that ability when we placed our faith in Him.  God has an awesome future planned for us as long as we keep fighting on his behalf as he did for us.

Let this song penetrate your heart.

Worth Fighting For – Brian Courtney Wilson

You met me deep in my despair to show me you

Would never leave me there you claimed

Be’Cause I was made for so much more

I am your child and I’m worth fighting for

Though heavy with the weight of my mistakes

You carried me and refused to let me sink under the pressure

You meant for me to soar. I am your child

And I’m worth fighting for. eyes haven’t seen

Ears haven’t heard all you have planned

For me and nothing can separate me from

Your love when there’s so much

More still worth fighting for

Now I’m moving by faith and not by

Site towards victory by the power of your might

You’re straightening out my past and opening

Every door I am your child and I’m worth fighting for

Eyes haven’t seen ears haven’t heard

All you have planned for me and nothing

Can separate me from your love when

There’s so much more still worth fighting for

That’s why I’m pressing

It’s worth it

Towards the mark

‘Cause the calling

On my life is worth fighting for

And I’ll keep my mind

stayed on you Jesus

Because the peace it brings is worth fighting for

And I’ll be faithful, for my wife and children

because my family

Is worth fighting for

No this world

is not my home

But your kingdom

Here is worth fighting for

I got a mansion

Over in glory

And my new home is worth fighting for

Til I see it I’ll shout

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Life with you is worth fighting for

Oh fighting for

Eyes haven’t seen. ears haven’t heard

All you have planned for me

There is so much more still worth fighting for

We Are Nothing Without Jesus

Without being rescued by Jesus, we are nothing.  Without Jesus, we are lost in this world.  Without Jesus, we are deep in darkness.  If you have not trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, now is a perfect time to consider that option.  There is no hope for the lost, and even though those of us who are walking with Jesus continue to fight a difficult battle, we have enormous hope.  We have hope for all eternity and hope for the bright moments in this life that God delivers to his children on a daily basis.

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5(NASB)

It is our connection to Jesus that brings us joy and gives us the strength to deal with difficult times.  What a joy it is to overcome evil when it confronts us in our lives.  We have that power through our relationship with Jesus.  What a joy it is to share the love of God with others.  What a joy it is to be blessed with loving friends and family.  What a joy it is to live a life supported by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We owe everything to Jesus.

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:8-9(NASB)

God has provided us with the opportunity to travel from death to life.  No matter where we came from, God was ready to take us in and provide us the rescue needed to save our souls.  Nothing can compare to the love God has for his children.  Nothing can compare to the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf.  Nothing in this world is of any value in the world beyond.  Our love for God, demonstrated in our loving service to others, is the only thing that matters in this world and throughout all eternity.  Praise God for his awesome love and his willingness to rescue us all.

“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, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5 (NASB)

Let this song lift your spirit.

Rescue Story – Zach Williams

There I was empty-handed

Crying out from the pit of my despair

There You were in the shadows

Holding out Your hand You met me there

And now where would I be without You?

Where would I be, Jesus?

You were the voice in the desert

Calling me out in the dead of night

Fighting my battles for me

You are my rescue story

Lifted me up from the ashes

Carried my soul from death to life

Bringing me from glory to glory

You are my rescue story

You are, You are

You are my rescue story

You are, You are

You were writing the pages

Before I had a name

Before I needed grace, oh

Singing songs of redemption

‘Cause every time I ran away

You were louder than my shame

And now where would I be without You?

Where would I be, Jesus?

You were the voice in the desert

Calling me out in the dead of night

Fighting my battles for me

You are my rescue story

Lifted me up from the ashes

Carried my soul from death to life

Bringing me from glory to glory

You are my rescue story

You never gave up on me

You never gave up on me

You are my testimony, ohh, oh-ohh

You never gave up on me

You never gave up on me

You are my testimony, ohh, oh-ohh

You never gave up on me

Oh, You never gave up on me

Oh, this is my testimony

Oh, You were the voice in the desert

Calling me out in the dead of night

Fighting my battles for me

You are my rescue story

Lifted me up from the ashes

Carried my soul from death to life

Bringing me from glory to glory

‘Cause You are my rescue story

You are, You are (You are my rescue story)

Oh, You never gave up on me, never gave up on me

You are, You are

Yeah, You are my rescue story

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.

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God in Your Life