Nearer, Ever Nearer

"We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him" 2 Cor. 5:6-9 (ESV)

These verses have brought me great encouragement the past few days…
Walking by faith…living day by day…trusting…not seeing the outcome, but resting in the One who knows all. This is our calling. He is our prize. I pray that my great desire and overwhelming passion will be to please Christ, whether here on earth or in His presence for eternity.

Today I read this...

"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Romans 13:11-12 (ESV)

What hope and indescribable joy are contained in these verses! Salvation is nearer now than ever. I came to know Christ as a young child, and already I am twenty years closer to seeing Him; twenty years closer to being sanctified, glorified, and eternally free from sin…twenty years closer to standing in awe of the glory of my Savior and worshipping Him in a perfect body, with a perfect voice, in a perfect place, with fullness of joy. The very thought fills me with excitement and wonder.

Yet, a question remains…what have I accomplished in the last twenty years of walking with Christ? What will I do for Him with however many years I have left before He returns or calls me to my eternal home? Will I be found faithful? The time is short…"The night is far gone, the day is at hand. So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light."

The Day that Changed History

Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! He lives, He offers forgiveness from sin, and He gives salvation freely to all who call on His name. There is no greater joy.

See, What A Morning - Keith & ...

"With Joyful Grief"

Good Friday. Two thousand some odd years ago, this was a day of pure despair. Imagine the utter hopelessness which the followers of Christ must have felt. Mere words cannot possibly capture the magnitude of their grief.

Yet today, we look back on Good Friday and see a day filled with hope. With the words "It is Finished", history and eternity changed forever. And in the most powerful visual aid imaginable, as the veil of the temple ripped in two from top to bottom , God revealed that the barrier between man and himself had forever been removed.

God had died for men. Jesus died for me. For you.

Savior, with joyful grief, I thank you.

My Jesus Fair
Text and music: Chris Anderson & Greg Habegger

My Jesus, fair, was pierced by thorns,
By thorns grown from the fall.
Thus He who gave the curse was torn
To end that curse for all.

Chorus:
O love divine, O matchless grace-
That God should die for men!
With joyful grief I lift my praise,
Abhorring all my sin,
Adoring only Him.

My Jesus, meek, was scorned by men,
By men in blasphemy.
“Father, forgive their senseless sin!”
He prayed, for them, for me.

My Jesus, kind, was torn by nails,
By nails of cruel men.
And to His cross, as grace prevailed,
God pinned my wretched sin.

My Jesus, pure, was crushed by God,
By God, in judgment just.
The Father grieved, yet turned His rod
On Christ, made sin for us.

My Jesus, strong, shall come to reign,
To reign in majesty.
The Lamb arose, and death is slain.
Lord, come in victory

Copyright 2008 churchworksmedia.com

Pray for Haiti

We showed this video in church tonight as a reminder to keep the grieving nation of Haiti in our prayers.

This is a touching original song composed by Abigail Higgins after the tragic earthquake in Haiti.

What a wonderful reminder..."There is still good news...He still sees."