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These Things Ought Not Be

My blog posts have been sporadic to say the least, but I keep thinking of the saying,"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all," and frankly, I haven't had much 'nice' to say. But it occurred to me yesterday that there are times when some not so nice things need to be said. I have so many things on my heart, but I'm going to try to keep this as short as possible, and I pray that God will give me the right words....words that are meant to help, not to hurt.

In the past few years I've seen and heard of some terrible things happening in churches and in the lives of people I care about....things that shouldn't happen in the church; things we don't expect to happen in Christian families...sins committed by church going people and  sins committed by pastors and missionaries....all of which result in broken people, broken families, broken churches, and worst of all they cause our faith to be mocked. I won't go into the details, but suffice it to say, these things ought not so to be.

In the aftermath of these situations, people are leaving churches....and why should this surprise anyone? What is really sad is what is happening to some of these people beyond the doors of the church. While some of these situations are indeed horrendous, and it's understandable that people are hurt and even bitter, nothing should ever cause us to turn our backs on God or to lose our faith. Question the church's teachings or practice? Absolutely! Find a better way to live out the Christian life? Go for it! But turn to the world and dabble in sin? (or dive headlong into sin?!) Don't be a fool! 
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1,2

 If our faith can be derailed by a  mere man, or even by 100 men, then our faith is in a very sorry state indeed, and we had better take a look at who we've been following....God or a man.
Hebrews 3:8,12,13 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: /Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. / But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

A friend who has gone through his own difficult church situation gives this warning, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9"

For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we MUST keep the faith, we MUST stand for the truth, we MUST be a testimony to those who are watching!

What hope is there in this world if we who call ourselves Christians fall by the wayside? What about God's grace? Is HE not sufficient to bring us through each and every trial we face?

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua:24:15

Jesus Knows, Mark 6:34

  No matter what our life experience has been, Jesus knows all about it. He knows how we’ve been hurt. He knows all the mistakes we’ve made in the past. He can take whatever we bring to him; all the pain, the filth, the brokenness, and give healing, cleansing and a new heart in exchange. He takes away the emptiness and fills us with his Spirit…..if only we ask him to.

Lord We Come; Matthew 7:7

©2011 Deborah Bolack

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~short intro~

Lord we come before you, with hearts in one accord.

We praise your holy name, and thank you for your word.

Lord we've come to intercede; we're trusting now by faith,

you'll touch a wounded heart, and draw him by your grace.

Lord we're asking, we're seeking,

We're knocking and believing.

We're praying without ceasing,

knowing you alone can save.

Lord we come before you, through Jesus precious blood.

Rejoicing now in hope, we thank you for your love.

Lord we come and we bow down to plead for one in need.

We lift him up in prayer and lay him at your feet.

Lord we're asking, we're seeking,

We're knocking and believing.

We're praying without ceasing,

knowing you alone can save.

Lord we come.

~~~~~~~~~~

Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Thank you for visiting Lyric Devotions. A free pdf of the sheet music is available for most songs. Requests can be made through the contact form on the sidebar.

The Prodigal Luke 15:11-32

©1999 Deborah Bolack

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The Shepherd knows each lost sheep; He seeks those gone astray.

God understands our heartache when a child wanders away.

For the Son of man is come to save that which is lost,

and He rejoices with us when they come to the cross.

~

There is joy in the presence of the angels of God.

A sinner has repented; let's make merry and be glad.

For this, my son was dead, and is alive again.

He was lost, and is found; I've received him safe and sound.

~

Except the Father draw him, he'll not come to the Son.

God hears the prayers of mothers weeping for a lost loved one.

For the Lord is merciful, He is gracious t'ward us,

and He is never willing that any should perish.

~

There is joy in the presence of the angels of God.

A sinner has repented; let's make merry and be glad.

For this my son was dead,, and is alive again.

He was lost and is found; I've received him safe and sound.

~

He was lost and is found; I've received him safe and sound.

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Based on Luke 15:11-32 The story of the prodigal son.

Thank you for visiting Lyric Devotions. A free pdf of the sheet music is available for most songs. Requests can be made through the contact form on the sidebar.

God's Generous Grace 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"I’m able to rise with the winter wind’s breath

knowing God will sustain me through each trial and test."

©2011 Deborah Bolack

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This winter season, unrelenting and harsh,

has battered my spirit; left me wounded and marred.

But I caught a glimpse of my dear Saviour’s plan

and I willingly yielded to God’s unseen hand.

A sacred submission; a chosen surrender

gives strength to endure, and peace beyond measure.

I’m able to rise with the winter wind’s breath

knowing God will sustain me through each trial and test.

~
 I’ll keep living for Jesus out loud and on purpose

I’ll shout the victory each step of the way,

Anchored in faith I’m staying the course

Embracing my journey by God’s generous grace.

~

 It’s but a season, and I soon will emerge,

prepared for tomorrow by the truth of God’s word:

There is victory through suffering I now understand

as I've walked in obedience to my Father’s plan.

My hand on His hem, I’m clinging to Jesus.

My lifeline, my tether; I pray without ceasing

I’ve carefully tended to the garden of my heart.

Reminders of spring time  now proclaim a new start.

~

I’ll keep living for Jesus out loud and on purpose

I’ll shout the victory each step of the way,

Anchored in faith I’m staying the course

Embracing my journey by God’s generous grace.

~

Won’t you trust and partake of God’s generous grace?

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Written for Elaine, Peace For The Journey

I must give credit for the lyrics to Elaine, as most came from her own writings on her blog. I read many of Elaine's blog posts from the past year; copied, pasted and printed to reread and highlight. Some phrases are taken word for word, others were adapted but in keeping with Elaine's message. I encourage you to visit Peace For The Journey, and read for yourself, Elaine's wonderful words of encouragement....a beautiful testimony of God's sustaining grace through her winter season.

Some of the scriptures that sustain Elaine and the foundation for the message woven through the song are:

1 Corintians 4:1&2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

1 Peter 5:10-11 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 


Thank you for visiting Lyric Devotions. A free pdf of the sheet music is available for most songs. Requests can be made through the contact form on the sidebar.

By Mercy and Grace (video)

Twenty-six years ago today, I made that trip to Calvary and began my journey, and by mercy and grace I'll finish my race, knowing I'm safe in His hand.