Song Series: Give Me Faith

Give Me Faith 

Read: James 4:7-10

  

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

– James 4:8

God may rip your heart out…but then He gives you a brand new one in return! (Hosea 6:1). 

A great place to be is humbled before God, for when we are weak we become strong (2 Cor. 12:10). 

“Give Me Faith” reminds me that there is sweetness in weakness. 

That said, I need to remember too, that God may:

• Hurt me to heal me and help me to draw near. (Deut. 32:39 and Job 5:18) 
•  Demand that I clean out my closet and commit to Him alone (1 Sam. 7:3)  
• Let me experience extreme pressure, but not for nothing (Psalm 6:2)

 Here’s a helpful link to free stuff being offered by Elevation Church from the album  “For the Honor”: http://www.elevationworship.com/resources/

Sermon Bumper for the Song: 

You've lost faith. In leadership. In the economy. In God. You've even lost faith in yourself. You had it. You lost it. It's time to get it back. 

(Here’s the link to the sermon video: http://elevationchurch.org/sermons/givemefaith) 

 Losing faith in oneself is not necessarily a bad thing; frankly it could be the best thing that ever happens to us.

DISCLAIMER: I am not endorsing  Steven Furtick or the  sermon, so view at your own risk and shame on you if you “check your brain at the door” with anything you listen to or read – including this B.D.D.  blog.

Song Series: Christ Is Enough

Christ Is Enough

First place in everything

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything – Colossians 1:18

Any Christian musician worth his salt longs for the day of writing a song that impacts God’s people toward a deeper love and walk with Christ. It looks like pastor Morgan has done  just that… again! 

 “Christ Is Enough” by Reuben Morgan, is  a foundational  song from the Hillsong Live Glorious Ruins album . By now most contemporary worship teams are quite familiar with Reuben’s work, as the Hillsong church worship pastor. Over the years his songs “Mighty to Save”, “God Is Able”, and “Believe” have become staples on many church song sets.

Brian Houston, senior pastor at Hillsong Church, was so moved by the message in this piece, that he actually built a two part sermon around it. (here’s the link for part 1: http://audacious.me/library_items/sermons/5216d0bb47ef506b89000005)

I love music that re-calibrates my thinking and enlivens my love for the Messiah, the firstborn over all creation. I want Him to be the firstborn of my heart, don't you? 

Firstborn (prōtotokos: the first born of an Israelite family inherited everything that the Father owned; he was the heir apparent, the owner of it all)

 "Christ Is Enough"

(Our worship team will begin learning the song this week and our congregation will begin worshipping with it by mid-October, LORD willing) 

Quiet Time: Imitator

Imitator

Don't be a poser

You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 

- 1 Thessalonians 1:6

John Patitucci is a world renowned bass guitarist. His left hand flies across the fret board while his right is a blur, fluttering like a moth to the light. Many aspiring bassist spend hours attempting to replicate his riffs and arpeggios to no avail. Additionally, a little known fact about John is his Presbyterian elder-ship.  That’s right, this virtuoso, admired and respected by artist the world over, is a strong and vibrant believer who shares his faith without fear in places that you and I could never go

Imitator /mimētḗs (emulator) is always used positively in the NT (seven times) – of followers of Christ emulating a God-approved example. 

Imitation is the highest form of flattery, or so the saying goes, that said, I have a few questions that I intend to ponder:

1.       Who is your hero?

2.       Are you willing to be an example? (1 Cor. 11:1)

3.       Are you joy-filled? (Phil. 4:4)

4.       Are you conforming or transforming? (Romans 12:1-2)

I