Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 7:35 a.m. – This song is going through my head:
Still the Cross / FFH / http://www.actionext.com/names_f/ffh_lyrics/still_the_cross.html
Sometimes it seems the world’s unraveling around us
We fear it all may one day come undone
We can’t forget the One who came before us
To forgive the past and bring hope for what’s to come
When it all comes crashing down
The cross still stands alone
And on this our faith is built
And our courage is made strong
When the world falls apart
And you fear for your heart
There’s a tower of peace
It’s still the cross
So bring your sick and your poor
And your longing for more
To the place of relief
It’s still the cross
There is hope for the lost
It’s still the cross
Sometimes it seems that I have been forgotten
I don’t know how I will make it on my own
But the One who said I will never be forsaken
He still hears my prayer and I will never be alone
Though the world may not confess
You and Your holiness
One day all will see
You in all Your majesty
And the cross will stand alone
As the place where You made known
Your love for all mankind
Till then in it we’ll hide
The Lord woke me up to pray this morning, and as I was praying about the funeral of my aunt and what Rick and I could possibly sing, the Lord immediately gave me the hymn More About Jesus. I had already dog-eared Moment by Moment last night in my hymnal, because the words and the harmony were so beautiful and I just sensed then that we were supposed to sing at the funeral and that was one of the songs we were supposed to sing. My cousin put me in charge of the music, so it was my decision.
The Lord assured me that we were to sing these two hymns at the funeral and that he would give me the voice, especially since my voice has been cracking and squeaking and has been very weak lately. The Lord reminded me that His power is perfected in my weakness, for when I am weak, then I am strong in the strength of the Lord and in his mighty power.
Yesterday I had a long talk with my F-I-L in the kitchen of his home. We talked about the Lord. He says that he believes in God and in Jesus, but he doesn’t buy the whole package, and he does not believe the whole Bible. He knows it is very possible that he has created his own god in his own mind – a benevolent god who approves of man’s self-efforts at trying to live the good life. My F-I-L said he knows that his name is not written in The Book of Life, but he also is not sure that he is going to hell, either. He asked me what I was to do with someone like him and I responded “Love you and pray for you.”
This was my scripture reading for today from James 1:9-18:
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
The Lord had this verse, in particular, stand out to me this morning. I believe the Lord brought Rick and me to Akron on an evangelistic mission to tell people about Jesus and to pray to God for their salvation, believing Him for changed lives and hearts. Rick and I have been singing hymns, reading scripture and praying together each night at home, so we decided together to continue this and to invite his father and stepmother-in-law to join us. It opened up some very interesting conversations about removing evil from our lives, and about not telling lies, etc.
“Lord, order up our day for us today. Put your words in our mouths. Keep us from saying things we should not say. ‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.’ ‘Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver. Purify my heart, let me be as gold, pure gold. Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire is to be holy; set apart for You, Lord. I choose to be holy; set apart for You, my Master, ready to do Your will.’”
