Be the Church

 

Be the Church

 

          A few years back at Real Life Corpus Christi there was a sermon series called Be the Church.  See the Christian church was never meant to be just a building where people meet.  It’s meant to be made up of believers who go out and live out God’s word.  Between Monday through Wednesday of this week Texas has been hit by the worst cold weather in a very long time.  But I want to tell you about what has happened to Marion and I and our dog Pumpkin.  We lost power then it came back and went off again along with the running water.  After the second time we grabbed clothes and the dog and went to my parents’ house.  A normal 45 minute drive took about an hour and a half because freeways were closed.  We stayed 2 and a half days with my parents and 2 of their church members and my sister and her family.  A total of 10 people and 5 dogs.  They lost power on Tuesday My Dad got a generator working and we had a small cabin that ran on propane, My Dad and Mr. Daryl left multiple times and checked on other members of their church family.  My Brother-in-law Lance got gas for the generator.  Dad and I ran wire for it.  Peggy and Marion helped my mom in the kitchen.  My sister and her daughter helped my mom with food.  I got messages from our friends Patrick and Carolyn and my friend Ryan checking up on Marion and I.  Church changed from being a place to being people who cared and helped.  The whole event brought me to these verses I want to show you because through all this I want to encourage you to Be the Church.  At one point I caught myself complaining about the situation and I realized how stupid and selfish I was being.  We were all in a situation where we could help one another.  Not a day goes by that we shouldn’t be capable of learning that lesson.  We all helped each other in some way.    

Galatians 6:2-3 

          ‘Share each other’s burdens and in this way obey the law of Christ.  If you think you are too important to help someone you are only fooling yourself.  You are not that important.”

Galatians 6:9-10

          “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” 

“A heart to God and a hand to man here begins the healing of our land.”

 

 

 

Hand inHand by Degarmo and Key

Love in anylanguage by Sandi Patty

My offeringby Union of Sinners and saints

Love by Petra

Heart toGod, Hand to man by Geoff Moore and the Distance

We Will stand by Russ Taff 

Horsepower

 

Horsepower

 

            Over the last few weeks strange things have happened in my life.  We moved into a new house and even crazier things happened with my job.  I’ve been praying a lot and have had a lot of stress.  I haven’t handled it all well.  I’ve been finding a lot of help in the Psalms.  Maybe like me your life is chaotic.  You, like me need to forsake horsepower.  May I direct you to Psalm 20:7

            “Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

            I’ve said before that this blog is a mixture of Christian music and scripture.  This specific blog will mention verses and I will leave links to the music and if you ever wanted to memorize scripture the songs will help with that.  So if you click on the link in the comments you will access the written portion of the blog that contains the music links as well.  See Psalm 20:7 is the basis for the Steve Green song “We trust in the name of the Lord Our God”.  And the next verses in Proverbs are the basis for “Trust in the Lord” by Girls of Grace and Psalm 18 is a chapter that Clear has done a song called Wide Open Spaces about.  See the blog is very interactive if you choose to interact.  You get what you put into it.  The purpose is for the participant to draw closer to God and find Hope in his Word.

Proverbs 3:5-6

            “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.”

Psalms 33:20-22

            “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”

Psalm 31:14-16

            “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.  Let your face shine on your servant save me in your unfailing love.”

Psalm 18:19

            “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”

Psalm 147:10-11

            “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” 

            “There is strength in the Name of the Lord, there is power in the name of the Lord, There is Hope in the name of the Lord.” 

 

 

 

Trust in the Lord by Girls of Grace

We trust in the name of the Lord by Steve Green

Hold me Jesus by Rich Mullins

In the name of the Lord by Sandi Patti

Wide Open Spaces by Clear

My life is in your hands by Kathy Trocolli

 

Country Church style vol 2

 This is going to be simplistic in nature but sometimes you just need to let God's word speak for itself.  This has been a Psalm I keep coming back to over the last few days.  

Psalm 19

1The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

3They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

4Yet their voice ^b goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

5It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

10They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

11By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

13Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

14May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

What's in a name

 

What’s in a name

 

          Going to do the blog a little differently.  In the 90’s I was introduced to the band Petra.  The name means “rock”.  A few years ago I learned the band was formed by guys meeting for Bible studies while in college.  Bob Hartman the lead guitarist wrote a great majority of the songs and they were born from Bible studies.  Though she doesn’t remember it my sister introduced me to the cd Beyond Belief.  Which I still own and listen to.  There’s a question Jesus asked the disciples and anytime I’ve ever read this portion of scripture I come back to this song Mr. Hartman wrote.  I looked up the lyrics and the second scriptures are the basis for the song.  So I’m going to give you the question, the song lyrics and the final verses and then links to go with the music for this blog.  I said it would be a little different but again there are no instruction books for Bible study blogs. 

 

Matthew 16:13-16

 

          “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’  They replied ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’  ‘But what about you?’  he asked.  ‘Who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’” 

“Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Philippians 2: 9-10

Some men called Him Rabbi, good teacher, nothing more
The Son of just a carpenter who taught along the shore
Some men called Him Master, Elijah come again
Some left their nets to follow Him to learn to fish for men
Some say He's Messiah, I Am, who's always been
The Baptist called Him Lamb of God who takes away our sin

What's in a name that the demons flee
What's in a name that the captives go free
What's in a name that every knee should bow
In the name of Jesus, name above all names
There is power and glory, forever and ever
Forever and ever

Some said Son of David returning to His throne
Some said He's the Son of Man with origin unknown
And one said He's the Son of God, the Rock on which we stand
The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end

No other name can sound so sweet
No other name is so complete
No other name can bring release
The Mighty God, the Prince of Peace”

 

 

Philippians 2:9-11

 

          “Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” 

 

 

 

 

God and King by Sandi Patty

 

No other name by Sandi Patty

 

Alpha and Omega by Gaither Vocal Band

 

What’s in a name by Petra

 

Your great name by Natalie Grant

 

Aftermath

 

Aftermath

          We all just went through a year called 2020.  It was a year of stress for many.  Where do you go in the aftermath?  Where will you go with the stress?  The Batcave blog has always been a blog where I have every intention to point the participant back to hope found in God’s Word.  If I ever point you to somewhere other than the cross of Christ, I have done both you and me a great disservice. 

          “When the road becomes too rough

          When you’re ready to give up,

          When you’re crying out for love

          God is faithful

          When your peace cannot be found

          He will never let you down.

          You have chosen solid ground.

          God is faithful.”

Matthew 11:28-30

          “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

          Those are Jesus’s words to all of us.  It’s a call to prayer and to seek him.  This next verse I have read multiple times before but when I looked it up a few nights ago it was the first time I ever noticed the exclamation point.  A minor thing that gives it more emphasis. 

John 16:33

          “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble but take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:4-7

          “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

          I have to remember this when I’m praying because God is not confined by time like you and I.  He led the people of Israel with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night .  He’s already seen your problems from beginning to end.  He’s fighting battles for you that you may never even see or connect to a current problem till much later.  A lot of times God doesn’t remove problems because He’s using them to get you to trust Him and draw closer to Him. 

1 Peter 5:8

          “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

 

 

 

Christ before me by Margaret Becker

God is Faithful by Shelia Walsh

More to this Life by Steven Curtis Chapman

Rest Easy by Audio Adrenaline

By your side by 10^th Avenue North

Love is here by 10^th Avenue North

Be still my soul by Amy Grant

Scream by ZoeGirl

Life to Me by ZoeGirl

Willing love

 

Willing Love

 

We miss the awe and wonder of God’s love so often.  It’s very easy to say “God loves you” but do you ever ponder how much of a mess you really are and then thank him for that love?

          There’s a song by David Crowder called “Lift your head weary Sinner” that says this. 

          “All who’ve strayed and walked away, unspeakable things you’ve done.  Fix your eyes on the mountain, let the past be dead and gone.  Come all saints and sinners you can’t outrun God whatever you’ve done can’t overcome the power of the blood.  If you’re lost and wandering come stumbling in like a prodigal child.  See the walls start crumbling let the gates of glory open wide.” 

          In Matthew 8:1-3 there’s a story of a man with leprosy and I want to show you this because like that man we’re all unclean every last one of us.  Some of us have been hurt so much in attempts to be loved we forget God is willing to love us and we’re scared to trust that love. 

Matthew 8:1-3

 

          "When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.  A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing you can make me clean.’  Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.  ‘I am willing,’ he said ‘Be Clean!  Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. "

Saturday night I was having a bad night and I started thinking about a verse my mom had me memorize as a kid and it got me to read all of Psalm 118.  Then I came to these verses. 

Psalm 118:6-9

 

          “The Lord is with me I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  The Lord is with me; he is my helper.  I will look in triumph on my enemies.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in Princes.” 

Then I read Isaiah 54:10. God Willingly loves us. 

Isaiah 54:10

 

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed says the Lord who has compassion on you.”

 

“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”

“I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene and wonder how he could love me a sinner condemned unclean.” 

 

 

 

Lift your head weary sinner by Crowder

How Marvelous by Chris Tomlin

Amazing Grace by Petra

Life to me by ZoeGirl

He Cares

 

He cares

 

 

If you’ve ever had the thoughts that God doesn’t care about you or doesn’t understand what you’re going through then you’ve missed the whole point of the life of Christ.  I want to show you one chapter and 12 verses that predicted the life and death of Christ. It’s a chapter in Isaiah.  My dad shared this with me weeks before I read it.  “Isaiah 53 is written in past tense as though it had already happened.  It was written 700 years before the cross.  But from God’s perspective it was already done.”  Everything about Jesus’s life and death shows he understands your pain and cares. 

 

            “Humbly forsaking His Heavenly seat
Beaten and bloodied and washing my feet
Opened our eyes to what love really means
The blood on my hands is what washes me clean”  

This is from the Song Because you are by Point of Grace

 

 

Isaiah 53

1Who has believed our message?

To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?

2My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot,

like a root in dry ground.

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,

nothing to attract us to him.

3He was despised and rejected—

a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.

He was despised, and we did not care.

4Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;

it was our sorrowsa that weighed him down.

And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,

a punishment for his own sins!

5But he was pierced for our rebellion,

crushed for our sins.

He was beaten so we could be whole.

He was whipped so we could be healed.

6All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.

We have left God’s paths to follow our own.

Yet the LORD laid on him

the sins of us all.

7He was oppressed and treated harshly,

yet he never said a word.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.

And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,

he did not open his mouth.

8Unjustly condemned,

he was led away.b

No one cared that he died without descendants,

that his life was cut short in midstream.c

But he was struck down

for the rebellion of my people.

9He had done no wrong

and had never deceived anyone.

But he was buried like a criminal;

he was put in a rich man’s grave.

10But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him

and cause him grief.

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,

he will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life,

and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

11When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,

he will be satisfied.

And because of his experience,

my righteous servant will make it possible

for many to be counted righteous,

for he will bear all their sins.

12I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,

because he exposed himself to death.

He was counted among the rebels.

He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.”

 

 

            He understands all of our hurts and pain. 

 

            “If you think you're a loser
When you fail it seems at everything you do
Just remember there's a Savior
And you are worth enough
He gave His life for you”

This is from the song I’m Accepted by Degarmo and Key

 

 

Hebrews 7:26-27

“26He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.f 27Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins.

 

          I’m going to conclude with this verse.

1 Peter 5:7

“7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

 

You are my King by Newsboys

For all you’ve done by Point of Grace

Because you are by Point of Grace

I’m Accepted by Degarmo and Key

Enter In ByPetra

Once and For all by White heart

O the Blood by Selah

Nothing but the blood by Kelly Parks

Too Small a price by Don Francisco