Running Our God How Great Is Our God A Mighty Fortress Is Our God God Is Able
Our team usually has a quick break somewhere in the middle. Sometimes this break becomes a point of ministry (prayer, teaching, etc...). It also gives those in the foyer a chance to come in to the main sanctuary without disturbing other people.
Of course the set is also designed to flow from one song to the next with no breaks and can be easily sung by the congregation in about 20 minutes mol.
Note: God Is Able will most likely be used as an alter call type song near the end of the worship service after the pastor's message.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20
Go to Africa.
That's what we often fear God will ask us to do if we surrender. May-be we don't really believe that He wants what's best for us. Now, we'd never say that out loud, but really, isn't that kind of how we feel? So, we settle for good enough. Consequently this settling spills over into our daily walk with Christ (which is what surrender is really all about) and the next thing we know we've become the very person we never intended to be. We become a "Casual Christian".
Casual Christian is just another term for lukewarm, and we all know how God feels about that! (Revelation 3:15-16)
So, what to do...what to do? Hmmmm...Oh, I know!
JUST BE REAL. "Repent and return to God performing deeds appropriate to repentance." (Acts 26:20) No-one's looking for perfection, not even God, but He is looking for a heart that's really His (2 Chronicles 16:9).
God knows you and He chose you anyway to be His child. So, buck up little trooper! (Romans 5:8)
Trust Him, and then walk with Him right where you're at. God's love is unfailing. He will teach you how to walk in His way. (Psalm 143:8)
Surrender doesn't mean defeat. Surrender means victory - Christ wins through you; all for His glory. (Galatians 2:20)
And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” - Matthew 27:29 The finished work of Christ came after His crown of thorns. Ironically, this painful act of mockery became a symbol of victory.
I have a miniature crown of thorns that rests on the top left frame of my bedroom mirror. Every morning when I look at my reflection I am reminded of Christ's victory over my past sins, failures, and regrets, as well as, my glorious future with Him. I am encouraged to walk worthy of His calling me to follow Him and to turn my back on all that was (yesterday) pressing on in view of all that's yet to be (eternity).
Christ followers, like everyone else, may have painful life memories, but the huge difference is that Jesus' finished work on the cross turns those thorny wreaths into crowns of victory.
Walk in faith and victory; Pain is a finite process not the final product.
