November 16 Faith Flow

Art by Boaz Crawford

 

Ezekiel 33:1-34:31;  Hebrews 13:1-25;  Psalm 115:1-18;  Proverbs 27:21-22

      Water and Word flow         

across my heart.

Praise and thanksgiving

spiraling to Heaven

in acts of gratitude:

kindness done here,

mercy there

love out poured like

costly perfume on my

Savior’s head.

 

No greater love was shown to me

than my Savior’s death upon the tree

where His blood flowed freely down

covering my transgressions.

 

Body and blood given for me

strengthens faith that flows

through me.

Praise on my lips forever be

now and for eternity!

 

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”  Hebrews 13:15-16

Open my lips, O God, that my mouth acknowledges you before men and gives you thanks and praise.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of His deeds in songs of joy.”  Psalm 107:22

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October 19 Saturday Reflection

Photo by Kevin Carden

Jeremiah 33:1-34:34:22;  1 Timothy 4:1-16;  Psalm 89:1-13;  Proverbs 25:23-24

” I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;  with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.  I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established faithfulness in heaven itself.”  Psalm 89:1-2

 

What a beautiful thought for a Saturday reflection!

 

“Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever!”

 

Lots of teams will play today

and cheer them on, we will.

Some will win and some will lose.

We support them either way.

 

And cheer we will for our Gracious Lord

whose faithfulness we praise.

Who’s YES to us

gave us life

when we could not save ourselves.

 

Many seek after other gods

wanting to appease

to work

to earn a place,

to prove themselves worthy

of eternal grace.

 

Our God through Christ

sought us

and found us

and did what we could not do.

Lived a perfect life

and died a death

we’d never dare to do.

 

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Three in one Trinity

gave to us,

 won for us

our place eternally.

Lord God,  thank you for calling us to be on Your team through faith.  We didn’t have to try out, spend years training, or meet specific standards to receive your grace.  You called us to faith, sealed us with the Holy Spirit, and equipped us to live as redeemed people of God.   May Your name be praised!  Amen

September 23 Zombies No More

Photo by Kevin Carden

 

Isaiah 41:17-43:13;  Ephesians 2:1-22;  Psalm 7:1-7;  Proverbs 23:29-35

There’s been a rash of zombie movies in recent years–zombie comedies, zombie horror flicks, zombie romances.

I haven’t been able to figure out the attraction and devotion to zombies.  Is it because something so grotesque, yet so similar grabs our attention?  Is it because something dead still has power to control, scare or effect the living–even though it’s just “Hollywood?”

Who knows!

St. Paul seems to have a handle on zombies.  He writes:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”  Ephesians 2:1-2

Like the Hollywood zombies who crave the living, Paul tells us something about ourselves:

“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the craving of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.”  Ephesians 2:3

Pretty scary.

Like zombies who can’t “help themselves” Paul points the way to our rescuer:

“But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even as we were dead in transgressions (sins).  It is by grace you have been save.”  Ephesians 2:4-5

Zombies no more!

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8

Lord God Heavenly Father, thank you for your great love and mercy that rescued us from our miserable, zombie life of sin.  We are no longer the walking dead, but those living by faith in the One who gave His life for us.  May we live in full confidence of sins forgiven and joyfully tell others your message of hope.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

“May God be gracious to us an bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.”  Psalm 67:1-2