"Lord, You owe me!"

Pain and fear punched me; one after the other and I cried out – “Lord, I’m one of the good guys. I don’t deserve this.”  As soon as I heard those words, my spiritual pride became obvious to me.   Without realizing it, I had started to play, “Let’s Make a Deal” with God, trading my goodness for His favor.  The subtle shift in focus from His grace to my religion undermined real faith. Instead of crying out, “Lord, I trust You to keep me,” I was complaining, demanding even.  I am so grateful that in that moment, the Spirit revealed my heart, I confessed, and He forgave me.  From that moment, there was grace that kept me through the rest of that trial.

Are you in a difficult situation, a time of suffering? Is there a simmering anger at God that comes from an unspoken sense, “You, Lord, have failed me. I deserve better.”?  Habbakuk is a companion on this road. He, too, experienced disappointment. The opening words of his book reveal his struggle to keep faith: "How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence!” I cry, but you do not come to save." (Habakkuk 1:2, NLT) That is one gutsy prayer, isn't it? "Hey, God, what up with this? I thought you would answer my call and it feels like you hung up the phone on me instead." Habbakuk saw the growing threat of the Babylonian Empire and thought God would step in to deliver His people. Instead, God revealed that He would allow that nation to conquer Israel.

How does one deal with that kind of disappointment? It's what we struggle with when we pray to be healed and God says, "I'll be with you but I won't take away the illness."  We must reject spiritual pride that brings a sense of entitlement as we pray for release from temptation.  We are taught to ask boldly, but always with humility.  Sometimes the Spirit will not bring us the answer we want! Instead of delivering us out, He decides to take us through.  He says, "We'll walk together through the fiery trial."  Unlike some of the prophets who thunder with certainty about the power of the Lord, Habbakuk gives us a prayerful voice that waits and wonders at God's often inscrutable ways. Ultimately, he comes to the place where he says, "God hang onto me. It's the only hope I have."  "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. " (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NLT)

Many times when my faith is stretched thin I claim this prophet's prayer and make it my own desperate plea. If you're in a hard place today, broken-hearted, fearful, disappointed, confused - do not let the Enemy of God and good make you believe that you are just weak, or that you are a terrible Christian. Don’t demand or complain.  Know that testing and temptation is the common experience of those who love Jesus. When we put one foot in eternity while we still live on earth, we invite a certain tension into our lives! We keep hoping when others give up and live small, hopeless lives. We keep working to make the world brighter and better when others settle for 'what is' and accommodate themselves to the emptiness a life with no other purpose than "eat, drink, and be merry!"

“Yet, I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”  That, my friend, is the stuff of faith! "Whatever comes, whatever my disappointment - Lord God, I will keep on trusting You." When He fills our vision, He becomes our strength and He makes us sure-footed in treacherous territory.

_________________________

Whom Shall I Fear God Of Angel Armies

You hear me when I call,

You are my morning song,

Though darkness fills the night,

It cannot hide the light!

Whom shall I fear?

You crush the enemy

underneath my feet.

You are my sword and shield

Though troubles linger still.

Whom shall I fear?

I know Who goes before me.

I know Who stands behind.

The God of angel armies is always by my side.

The One who reigns forever,

He is a friend of mine,

The God of angel armies is always by my side.

My strength is in Your name

For You alone can save.

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory!

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

 (And) nothing formed against me shall stand,

You hold the whole world in Your hands.

I'm holding on to Your promises,

You are faithful. You are faithful.

Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Scott Cash

© 2012 Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Ripples through Time

“Hello, Jerry, this is Jack Winters.”  An image of a man with a smile, a sweet, loving demeanor filled my mind as I heard the voice of that old friend on the telephone yesterday.  He went on to tell me that it was his spiritual birthday, that 40 years ago on that day, my Dad had knelt beside him in church and led him to open his life to Christ Jesus.  A tough, not so nice man, whose marriage was in shambles, became new and whole.  Jack’s voice trembled with emotion as he told me that the previous Sunday night two of his granddaughters were baptized.  “I’m so glad your Dad wouldn’t give up on me,” he said.  That is how Christianity works!  The Gospel is like a seed planted, then grows, matures, and bears fruit.  It is replanted and the effect ripples outward through the world.   Occasionally we get to connect some lines, as I did yesterday, but often only God in Heaven knows what our choices today will produce a generation from now.

What effect will ripple through time from your life? Who are you pursuing with the Gospel, persistently but not offensively, quietly, prayerfully, gently; and above all, with Christ-like love?
Influence that ripples out into the lives of others does not require that we shout our message or overwhelm the world! Salt is a critically importance ingredient in so much of our food, but it doesn’t take much! Light is a powerful influence. Put a brightly colored rug in front of a sunlight filled door. It will fade quickly! Plants bend toward the source of light. Jesus reminds us to be like "salt and light." He says, "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:13-16, NLT)
Keep in mind that what you do is creating a culture. Make it one of excellence! Here’s a word from the Word.  I accept the Lord’s challenge. Will you? "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:1-6, NIV)

__________
“Heavenly Father,  the wake that follows my passing in life today

Be one of grace.
Let my conversation be full of faith, my words marked by compassion.
Create a wholeness in me that lifts up those I pass by.

Thank you for those who have influenced me.
Be honored by my thoughts, words, and actions.
Christ Jesus, I pray in Your Holy Name.”

Report cards, measuring progress?

I used to be all about ‘report cards.’  Let me see those “A’s!”  Time has shown me the limitations of measuring the quality of an education with grades in a folder. Sure, teachers need some way to determine how much of the course content a student is grasping, but a 100% on the test is not proof positive. Some people are just recorders of information. They can focus and file dates and facts in their brain. Good for them! But, can they reassemble that data using it to learn new things, create conclusions not provided by the lecturer?  A truly educated person is not just a walking encyclopedia, he is a person fully developed using the information he learns to build a productive life. 

How do you measure spiritual progress?   How do you know if you are meeting Peter’s challenge to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18, NIV)?  

The easy and obvious way many Christians measure their spiritual formation is by recording minutes spent reading the Bible, time spent in prayer, Sundays in church, dollars given in the offering, or even offices held in the church.  Some do really well, and that is good since each of those choices can return real benefit. But, a perfect record in them may indicate nothing at all if no depth of faith exists, no love commands, no evidence of Christ’s life is visible. There is only one true measure of spiritual progress – fruitfulness.  

The Christians in Galatia received the good news of Jesus with joy. They were transformed by God’s love, eager to learn of Christ’s ways, and accepting the Spirit’s guidance.  Then, along came some teachers who turned their new walk of faith into a system of religion. They were taught a wrong way to measure and started to compete with each other to prove how many “God-things” they could do.  The Spirit’s life disappeared and an ugly parody of Christianity emerged.  Pastor Paul was infuriated and wrote them a letter that we read as Galatians.  He called them back to Christ. Then, told them the true signs of spiritual formation.  “What happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.  Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. (The Message Galatians 5:22-26)

Christian, there are choices to be made if you desire to become a Christian of greatness.  Nobody becomes a well-educated person by sleeping through class. Nobody grows in grace by just wishing it to happen.  However, it’s not your ability to hit the metrics, to please the pastor, or gain the church’s admiration that drives the process.  It’s living in the Spirit.  Each day, we are presented with situations that allow us a choice – to control or to surrender.  We can work hard to make ourselves and life what we think it ought to be, or we can give ourselves away to the loving Leadership of Christ Jesus, inviting the Holy Spirit to flow into, through, and out of us.  When He waters the dry places of our lives, we are growing.  It’s evident, as plain as the apples hanging on a fully fruited tree.

Here is a word from the Word.  May the Spirit water your life with it this day and bring fruit.

"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers.
But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail.
Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.

But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction." (Psalm 1, NLT)

____________

Pushing Wheelchairs, changing lives

       

Bill stepped through the door of my hospital room and in a few moments changed the entire day. He is a looming presence, 6’3” at least, a man of ample dimensions, all around.  He is as gentle as he is big. Thursday morning he was totally focused on caring for me, making certain to do his part in helping me to heal.  I soon found out that he wasn’t just ‘at work;’ he was ‘at life,’ doing what he does with joy, with complete engagement.  I watched him interact with other members of the hospital staff. He spoke their name, offered a word of praise or encouragement. I noted that faces brightened when Bill entered the corridor.  Bill changes the environment of that hospital, but not from the top.  What do he do?  He is a transporter, moving people in wheelchairs or on gurneys from place to place!

People who bring joy and experience joy are those who embrace who they are and what God offers them at that moment – fully. They are not waiting to live or love. They may have greater dreams, they may not be in a place that fulfills every desire, but they are choosing contentment and living in the Spirit. Many of us, even who claim to belong to Christ and to be filled with His Spirit, only live there occasionally.  Can you identify with any of these?

·         The beauty of a sunset captivates us and, for a moment, time stands still. 

·         A child looks us straight in the eye and the purity of their gaze melts our self-consciousness, washing us with delight.

·         We rise above the need to express our anger and encourage another instead, and hear the Spirit’s ‘atta-boy.’  Heaven’s hug is palpable.

·         Love finds us; in a song, with a tender word, and we know why we exist.

We can live in that kind of wholeness much more consistently, Christian. The full life promised by Jesus is not found in the perfection of a religious system, nor in the exemplary performance of our daily responsibilities. It is found when, as He said, “rivers of living water from within!”  We become who we are meant to be and experience the deepest joy when we faithfully believe and receive a life gifted to us in grace, not one achieved by strenuous discipline.  The Gospel says that "Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.” (John 7:37-38, NLT)  The offer stands! Today, we can live as children of God and know the delight of His love.

Imagine if Bill, the hospital transporter, only thought that doctors could help people and just showed up to push wheelchairs to earn a paycheck? Would I have felt the same kind of care, observed the same kind of interactions? No way.  Imagine if Bill envied each nurse he saw, knowing that they were compensated at least 3 to 4 times more than he is? Would he have be-friended them, noting their life’s situations and offering hopeful words? No, again.  He had made a choice – whether consciously or not – to be all that Bill, the transporter could be.  This made it possible for one of the people lowest on the organizational chart to enjoy an out-sized influence on a community!

Today will bring you opportunities. Will you miss them while you’re waiting for a different set of circumstances, envying another’s education, wishing for more of something, longing to be somewhere? Or, will you offer yourself, right where you are to God, the Holy Spirit, asking that a river of living water would pour through you bringing life?

Here’s the word from the Word.  Lord, help us to believe it, receive it, and live it. Amen.

"For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!" (Ephesians 3:20-21, The Message)

_______

Spirit Of God Descend Upon My Heart

Spirit of God descend upon my heart.

Wean it from earth, thro' all its pulses move.

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art

And make me love Thee as I ought to love!

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh.

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,

To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh.

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,

One holy passion filling all my frame.

The baptism of the Heav'n Descended Dove.

My heart an altar and Thy love the flame!

Frederick Cook Atkinson | George Croly

Public Domain

The "lost" week

The "Lost" Week

So, Monday started productively; lawn mowed, projects around the house completed, thoughts about the work week I would be starting on Tuesday morning. Except, I didn't! Suddenly in the late afternoon, pain consumed me to the point that Bev took me to the hospital at 9 PM.  Until mid-day Wednesday, pain and medications kept me wrapped in a fog of confusion, unable to think clearly, pray only in the most child-like ways.  Finally, this Friday morning it appears that I will be going home, but weakened.  So, did I awaken this morning with the voice of the Spirit whispering in my ear, "This is the purpose of this 'lost' week?"  No. The suffering, sleep deprivation, and time flat on my back makes no sense; yet!

The book of James says, "For examples of patience in suffering... look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his experience we see how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy. But most of all..never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned for it. Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven." (James 5:10-15, NLT)

The choice of the godly during 'lost' weeks is revealed in several words inspired by the Spirit:  "patience, endure, keep on praying."  We just have to keep on trusting God, not changing course with the shifting wind of circumstance. God remains God even when what looks like chaos blows over us. It's not real hard to sing Jesus' praises when the sun is shining, when we feel great, and when life makes sense.  Believe me, it is much harder at 2 am in room 517A, when pain twists me in half. It is quite natural to wonder if He is good and loving.

The Spirit also warns us about trying to put it all behind us too quickly with neat summaries, or big words of faith we don't really own just yet.  Sure I can say, "God has a purpose. God is working. God has done great things."  I 'know' these things but as yet, I cannot honestly say that I can meaningfully apply them to this 'lost week.'  I want to rush to store these hours into some slot that shows a purpose, that makes them valued, that takes some of the sense of loss out of them, but if I do that without the Spirit's revelation, I will offend the living God!  The Message says, "Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no."  The Lord wants us to be authentic, to let the process work; yes, to acknowledge He is God and we are not.

 

Positively, the Bible says to surround ourselves with people of faith in such times. Not simpletons, not those with some superficial happy-talk religion, but 'elders,' those who are tested by life, wise in the Word, and full of God's Spirit. "Ask them to pray for you," James says, "for their prayers bring healing." Healing is a word with a wide scope in the Bible. The word is "sozo," (sode -so) in the first Greek Bible.  It is not just about making pain go away or making cancers disappear, though can be a part of it. It includes the ideas of keeping safe, of rescue, of saving, too! Prayers of those full of faith become life-boats that sail in the storm and carry us home. They keep us trusting, waiting, faithful.

So, on the advice of Pastor James and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am patiently waiting on the Lord, trying not to make big boasts about the glory of the week (It was a terrible one, full of suffering, for the record.) I have invited the prayers of the saints and elders, which have provided rich comfort.

I am taking this benediction and offer it to those of you who suffer today. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV)

Justice in Florida?

The front page of my Monday newspaper shows a group of people protesting the acquittal in the Zimmerman trial in Sanford, Florida. Talking heads on the news channels and Sunday news programs disagreed passionately about the verdict. Some insisted it was a travesty, others were equally convinced that evidence simply was not there for a conviction. I was not in the courtroom, did not hear the evidence, so I take no public stand about the fairness of it all.  My real concern is that money is so much a part of our ‘justice’ system.  If two very expensive (and superbly qualified) defense attorneys had been replaced by public defenders, would George Zimmerman be free today?

Christian, I want to draw two reminders for us from that trial.

First, we have an amazing Advocate who stands with us! "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-2, NIV)  One translation of the Bible uses the word, advocate, in place of ‘speaks in our defense.’  The first Bible was written in Greek and the word there is ‘parakletos.’  It described a person who came to the side of one in a dispute, who spoke on his behalf.  We are guilty before a holy God, but we are not left to present our own defense. Jesus Christ stands with us. Going better than that, He settles the case by accepting our guilt and taking our penalty! 

Are you dealing with shame or guilt today?  Does regret about something, big or small, hidden or public, keep you from experiencing a joyful life?  Put your complete faith in the Advocate provided! Accept the gracious judgment of God, provided in Christ Jesus.  You were not acquitted by God. You were found guilty, but the sentence was passed to the One who offered Himself in your place. "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." (Romans 5:1, NLT)

Second, we need to remember that God will hold us perfectly accountable for the way we live.  Many Christians confuse the freedom from sin’s penalty with a license to live as they please.  The faulty line of reasoning goes like this:  if Christ has forgiven all my sins, then why can I not just indulge my whims, follow my own way?  It’s not a new error. The Bible says, "All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end. So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land! That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means." (Romans 5:20-6:3, The Message)

Each of us will come before Christ, our King. It will be both glorious and terrifying!  Excuses won’t hold any water.  Rationalizations will be shown for the flimsy things they really are.  Things we have done that were overlooked or forgotten during our lives will be richly rewarded.  The Bible says that the Lord’s vision will go deeper than appearance, seeing to our motives.  No, it’s not about our salvation which is secured by our Advocate. It’s about our reward.  The Word explains,  "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, NIV)

Perfect justice is God’s promise.  It should comfort us that we will never be subject to a flawed system. It should sober us that "Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done." (Hebrews 4:13, NLT)

So here’s the word from the Word –

"With what shall I come before the Lord,
And bow myself before the High God?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,
With calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
Ten thousand rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:6-8, NKJV)

_____________

Looking to the Stars?

Do you wonder about life? Do you ponder your health, your future relationships, your employment?  Almost all of us are curious about the future.  This leads many otherwise intelligent people to turn to those who claim to be able to peer over the edge of time for answers.  The American President, Ronald Reagan, was advised by an astrologer after his near assassination in 1981!  His wife, Nancy, was so full of fear for his safety she secretly set his schedule based on readings of star charts. Then, too, going way past the cards and star charts, there are those who say that they can create a bridge to the world of the dead, looking to those ‘on the other side’ for advice.

Perhaps you’re already saying, "Come on, Jerry, this is the 21st century. Nobody takes that stuff seriously. It's all just fun."  And some of you are indignant, “What’s wrong with astrology or mediums? I get some good information from my horoscope.”   If you belong to Christ, there is no need to look to the occult for help. In fact, the Scripture teaches us that dabbling in occult practices from astrology, to consulting mediums, to outright witchcraft is a forbidden practice, a sin, for Christ’s disciples. In the Old Testament, the Lord told His people, "I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people." (Leviticus 20:6, NIV) In the New Testament, Paul warned that "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1, NIV)

Why this prohibition? First, we need to know that there is nothing to be gained from dabbling in alternative spirituality!  We have the Holy Spirit living in us, empowering us, and promising us security in the love of God. Occult practices may appear to offer many of the same benefits, but those who dabble in them find themselves enslaved.  There are only two sources for spiritual power- the Spirit of God or the Evil One. Satan and his dark forces are real and powerful. Christians must 'walk in the Light'  and have nothing to do with darkness.

We walk with God, His children, devoted to Him and kept within His arms. Don’t dabble in the darkness. Don’t even play with what you may think is just a little game.  Give yourself entirely to the Spirit.  Trust Him with the future. 

Here's a word from the Word. Let Him guide you today. He promised this to His people in ancient times and we rightly take this as our birthright, too.  "Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, NLT) 

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father. …And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will." (Romans 8:15, 26-27, NLT)

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Gentle Shepherd

Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us,

For we need You to help us find our way.

Gentle Shepherd, come and feed us

For we need Your strength from day to day.

There's no other we can turn to,

Who can help us face another day.

Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us,

For we need You to help us find our way.

Gloria Gaither | William J. Gaither

© 1974 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management

CCLI License # 810055