Living stones...

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 2:4-5 Image

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more...

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 

-Philippians 1:9-11

There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other.  -St. Augustine

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits...

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

    and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

    more than watchmen for the morning,

    more than watchmen for the morning.

-Psalm 130:5-6 Image

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

    The children of mankind take refuge 

in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

    and you give them drink

 from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

    in your light do we see light.

   -Psalm 36:7-9

You who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ...

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.  -Ephesians 2:13-17

As Christians, we must maintain day in and day out that peace is not something to be achieved by our power. Rather peace is a gift of God that comes only by our being a community formed around a crucified savior—a savior who teaches us how to be peaceful in a world in rebellion against its true Lord.  -Stanley Hauerwas

If Our God Is for Us

 

If Our God Is for Us 

 Jordan Kauflin and Laura Story

Verse 1

If our God is for us, who can be against us?

His mighty power holds us firm

There is no one like Him, there is none before Him

If we are His, our way is sure

Verse 2

If our God is for us, He will always lead us

To paths of righteousness and hope

If it brings us goodness, He will not withhold it

For from His hand all blessings flow

Chorus

What shall we say, but “Hallelujah!”

For none can take us from His love

He won’t forsake the ones He died to save

Yes, our God is for us

Verse 3

If our God is for us, will He not defend us?

When Satan’s accusations roar

For the blood of Jesus has brought us freedom

He is our confidence alone

Bridge

No tribulation, trial or pain

Persecution, loss or gain

Struggle, battle, lie or shame

Can take us from His love

We know that neither death nor life

Nor angels, rulers, place or time

No pow’r of hell, no depth nor height

Can take us from His love

It is the Lord who goes before you...

It is the Lord who goes before you.

He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. 

Do not fear or be dismayed.”   

-Deuteronomy 31:8

God is love...

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.   -1 John 4:16-18

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes...

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

    and I will keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

    and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

    for I delight in it.

Incline my heart to your testimonies,

    and not to selfish gain!

   -Psalm 119:33-36

Look carefully then how you walk...

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  -Ephesians 5:15-17

So we do not lose heart...

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.   

-2 Corinthians 4:16

Receive therefore every day as a resurrection from death, as a new enjoyment of life; meet every rising sun with such sentiments of God’s goodness, as if you had seen it, and all things, new-created upon your account: and under the sense of so great a blessing, let your joyful heart praise and magnify so good and glorious a Creator. -William Law

Blessed be the Lord!

Blessed be the Lord!

    For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

    in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

      my heart exults,

    and with my song I give thanks to him.

The Lord is the strength of his people;

    he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!

    Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

-Psalm 28:6-9