by Derek Bailey
The great thing about loving God is group worship. Each of us comes from different a place in life and may even disagree on some things, but together, we come to a place to love and honor our Savior-Jesus Christ.
In group worship we find a place to remind each other that God loves each of us. It is generally nothing more than sitting together, listening to what we already know to be true.
But sitting and listening can be hard, unless it starts off with something special.
Nearly every week, Jimmy offers us something special: worship through song, Psalm and prayer. This serves to prepare us for the message that waits. I personally get fixated on some of the lyrics and they stay with me, repeating them throughout the week.
So I will do some seed planting of my own with lyrics that resonate with the Spirit.
The first is from Red Rocks Worship, "Your Love Changes Everything":
In the darkest hour,
In the valley low,
I will fear no evil,
Cause you'll never let me go,
Never let me go
Next is from Hillsong Worship, "New Wine":
Make me Your vessel
Make me an offering
Make me whatever
You want me to be
Pastor Neil taught this week. He did something a little different after worship, as we entered into Psalm 95. He asked for responses to the questions: Where would we be without Jesus? or What would be missing from our lives without Jesus? (So much for just sitting and listening.)
The following responses were offered: Love, Salvation, Grace, Mercy and Redemption.
Our life with Jesus is a personal journey or pilgrimage. We have been through a lot including: fear, love, joy, grief, sadness, depression, anger, confusion, shame, surprise, anxiety and even boredom.
But by Grace we're here right now, holding onto hope because we're headed to Glory.
This is best described as an, "All ready, but not yet" state.
Real rest is what we all desire.
During the Exodus and flight from the Egyptians, God revealed miracles to the Israelites - parting the seas, water from a stone, manna from heaven. From their perspective they had nothing. They quarreled, and even tested God.
"Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness ..." (Pslam 95:8)
Where are we without trusting God?
We find ourselves stuck in our own "wilderness" of career, family, friends, fear, grief, bills, sadness and anxiety. We are stuck without hope, never entering into the promise of Glory.
Group worship serves as a daily reminder for us to encourage one another and not let go of our hope. Hebrews 3:15 (NLT) says, "...'Today when you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled."
What does God have for me? What is God saying to us?
Smile more, laugh more, work less and find the rest that He desires for us.
Encourage each of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and be a gentle missionary for those that are yet to know Him.
A side note: Matt Bloom has been with us for many years. He and his family are being called on a new mission and are soon to depart from the area. We wish them all the best and pray for them on the new leg of their pilgrimage. Thank you all for sharing your lives with our Avondale community.
Peace be with you all as He makes us whatever He wants us to be.