Little did they dream...

Little did they dream, as they bound the fatal wood upon His shoulder, by whose power that tree was made to grow, and from whom the beings who bore Him to the death, drew their existence. So completely was Jesus bent upon saving sinners by the sacrifice of Himself, He created the tree upon which He was to die, and nurtured from infancy the men who were to nail Him to the accursed wood!

Oh the depth of Jesus' love to sinners! 

-Octavius Winslow

Sinners, are you poor?

Sinners, are you poor? Christ has gold to enrich you.

Are you naked? Christ has royal robes, 

and white clothing to clothe you.

Are you blind? Christ has eye-salve to enlighten you.

Are you hungry? Christ will be manna to feed you.

Are you thirsty? He will be a well of living water to refresh you.

Are you wounded? He has a balm under his wings to heal you.

Are you sick? He is a physician to cure you.

Are you prisoners? He has laid down a ransom for you.

Ah, sinners! 

Tell me, tell me, is there anything in Christ 

to keep you from believing? No.

Is there not everything in Christ 

that may encourage you to believe in Him? Yes. 

-Thomas Brooks  Image 

O Love of God, descend into my heart...

O Love of God, descend into my heart;

Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling,

And scatter there Your cheerful beams.

Dwell in the soul that longs to be Your temple;

Water that barren soil overrun with weeds and briars

And lost for lack of cultivating.

Make it fruitful with Your dew.

Come, dear Refreshment of those who languish;

Come, Star and Guide of those who sail amidst tempests.

You are the Haven of the tossed and shipwrecked.

Come now, Glory and Crown of the living,

As well as the Safeguard of the dying.

Come, Sacred Spirit;

Come, and make me fit to receive You.

-Augustine

Lord, you know what distracted hearts we have...

Lord, you know what distracted hearts we have, O give us self-recollection; you know what hard, dead hearts we have, O touch and awaken us! You know how we yet resist your Word and our lower nature is reluctant to bow to your scepter; therefore, O Lord, show forth your power; send your Spirit on high to work among us, to make our hearts submissive, and ourselves capable of living in true union with you, our salvation, and of yielding totally to your grace. Amen.  

-Gerhard Tersteegen

As for Me and My House...

 

As for Me and My House 

 Keith and Kristyn Getty, Cochren & Co.

Vs 1

Oh, choose you this day whom you will serve

The kingdom of heaven or the powers of earth

Has He not spoken? Have you not heard?

There is but one true God

Vs 2

The God of our fathers set us free

His Son paid the price for our covenant peace

Through generations His mercy speaks

We trust in one true God

Chorus

As for me and my house, we will serve, serve the Lord

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord our God

Vs 3

This house is the Lord’s and all within

May we be pleasing and holy to Him

Joined by His Spirit His people sing

Great is the one true God

Oh, great Is the living God

Chorus

As for me and my house, we will serve, serve the Lord

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord our God

Bridge

Oh, praise the Father, praise the Son

Praise the Spirit now in us

Let every heart and every tongue

Praise the one true God

(repeat)

Chorus

As for me and my house, we will serve, serve the Lord

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord our God

(repeat)

We think that Paradise and Calvary...

We think that Paradise and Calvary,

         Christ's cross, and Adam's tree, stood in one place;

Look, Lord, and find both Adams met in me;

         As the first Adam's sweat surrounds my face,

         May the last Adam's blood my soul embrace.

   -John Donne

Prayer is the most important thing you do...

Begin to realize more and more that prayer is the most important thing you do; and that you can use your time to no better advantage than to pray whenever you have an opportunity to do so, either alone or with others, while at work, while at rest, or while walking down the street. Anywhere!   ...O. Hallesby

Take Up Your Cross, The Saviour Said...

 

 Take Up Your Cross, The Saviour Said

1 Take up your cross, the Saviour said,

if you would my disciple be;

Deny yourself, the world forsake,

and humbly follow after me.

2 Take up your cross; be not ashamed!

Let not disgrace your spirit fill; 

For God himself endured to die

upon a cross on Calvary's hill.

3 Take up your cross, which gives you strength,

which makes your trembling spirit brave:

'Twill guide you to a better home

and lead to vict'ry o'er the grave.

4 Take up your cross, and follow Christ,

nor think till death to lay it down;

For only they who bear the cross

may hope to wear the glorious crown.

Hear the Hallelujahs Roar

 

 Hear the Hallelujahs Roar 

CityAlight

V1

The whole earth it is longing

And waiting for the dawn

When we will see Christ come again

And worship Him as Lord

V2

The night will fade behind us

We’ll walk in endless days

Beside our God who dwells with us

As glory fills our gaze

CHORUS

A song of praise is rising

From every tribe and tongue

O hear the hallelujahs roar

To Christ the worthy one

V3

No guilt shall hold us fearful

Our tears will be no more

We’ll run and not grow weary then

Our strength will be restored

CHORUS

A song of praise is rising

From every tribe and tongue

O hear the hallelujahs roar

To Christ the worthy one

V4

But still, we will remember

The cross that He embraced

His blood that made us worthy heirs

Our great redeemers grace

V5

No captive held in slavery

No hunger no more strife

And death has lost its fatal sting

For all we’ll know is life

CHORUS

A song of praise is rising

From every tribe and tongue

O hear the hallelujahs roar

To Christ the worthy one

The need for solitude and quietness...

The need for solitude and quietness was never greater than it is today. What the world will do about it is their problem. Apparently the masses want it the way it is, and the majority of Christians are so completely conformed to this present age that they, too, want things the way they are. They may be annoyed a bit by the clamor and by the goldfish-bowl existence they live, but apparently they are not annoyed enough to do anything about it.  -A.W. Tozer

But for the Cross of Christ

 

 But for the Cross of Christ 

 Bryan Fowler

Vs 1

What is the truth

That ever anchors me

Amidst the waves of all my guilt

That Christ has shed

His blood and pardoned me

At the cross, at the cross

Vs 2

He bore my sin

I bear His righteousness

Oh what a glorious exchange

The wrath of God

Laid on the spotless Lamb

Oh what grace, oh what grace

Chorus

Behold the cross

There is no greater love

Heaven’s Son

Laid down His life for us

Oh my soul would be lost

With no hope to find

But for the cross of Christ

Vs 3

How do I walk

With humble confidence

I look to Christ Who is my peace

He sealed my hope

And my inheritance

At the cross, at the cross

Vs 4

When I am weak

And stumble into sin

There is an ever-flowing stream

His cleansing blood revives my soul again

Oh what grace, oh what grace

Vs 5

One day I’ll stand

Before the King of Kings

One day I’ll see him face to face

For Jesus rose

Death lost its bitter sting

Christ has won! Christ has won!

Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean

 

Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean 

 The Gettys, Sandra McCracken

Vs 1

Here is love vast as the ocean

Lovingkindness as the flood

When the Prince of Life, our ransom

Shed for us His precious blood

Who His love will not remember?

Who can cease to sing His praise?

He can never be forgotten

Throughout heav’n’s eternal days

Vs 2

On the mount of crucifixion

Fountains opened deep and wide

Through the floodgates of God's mercy

Flowed a vast and gracious tide

Grace and love like mighty rivers

Poured incessant from above

Heav'n's peace and perfect justice

Kissed a guilty world in love

Vs 3

On the morn of resurrection

Mercy filled the thirsty grave

Where the stone of death burst open

Springs of life flowed unrestrained

Love no heart could ever measure

Joy no sorrows will outrun

Rush upon the soul believing

In the risen, reigning Son

Vs 4

Oh this love, vast love of Jesus

Bids us come and drink and live

To this weary world of longing

What more could our Savior give

Now to Christ who fully loved us

And who freed us from our sin

Be all glory and dominion 

Everlasting praise to Him 

As I Go Your Way...

 

 As I Go Your Way (Aleph)

 StillCreek

Vs 1

Blessed are those whose way is blameless

Who walk in the law of the Lord

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies

Who seek Him with their whole heart

They do no wrong

But follow His ways

As they obey

Chorus:

I will praise You, Lord

I will praise You, Lord

With an upright heart teach me to obey

I will keep Your word

I will keep Your word

O forsake me not as I go Your way

Vs 2

Oh that my ways would be established

Help me to learn and obey

Fixing my eyes on all Your commandments

So I will not be ashamed

You've laid them down

For my heart to keep 

So carefully

Psalm 27-The Lord Is My Light

 

Psalm 27-The Lord Is My Light

 Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story

Vs 1

The Lord is my light and my salvation

Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life

Of whom shall I be afraid?

Chorus

Lord, You are my shelter

God of my salvation, I am not forsaken

Lord, my shield and protector

Waiting on Your promise

 I will see Your goodness O Lord

Vs 2

When troubles arise no foe can harm me

You are my peace, You are my peace

You lift me above the raging storm

You conquer my enemies Chorus

Vs 3

One thing I have asked, to see Your beauty

This I will seek, this I will seek

To dwell in Your house, to walk in Your ways

Your presence is all I need

Bridge

I wait, wait for the Lord

In faith, trusting Your Word

I wait, wait for the Lord

In faith, trusting Your Word

2x

Chorus

Before The Throne Of God Above

 

 Before The Throne Of God Above 

 Kristyn Getty

The Battle and the Blessing

 

 The Battle and the Blessing 

 CityAlight

V1

We did not bear the wounds that freed us   

Or walk the road to Calvary

We did not share Your cup of suffering 

And yet we share Your victory 

 

V2

We did not wear that heavy burden

Nor face the shame and agony 

A crown of thorns was placed upon You

Now we are crowned with love and peace  

CHORUS

Praise the Lord, my God, now I am free

At the cross Your grace took hold of me

There You paid my debt, there You fought my fight

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

V3

You chose to be a man of sorrows

That I can be a child of God

You stood and faced this world’s rejection

I stand, accepted by Your love

CHORUS

Praise the Lord, my God, now I am free

At the cross Your grace took hold of me

There You paid my debt, there You fought my fight

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

V4

My sin was buried with the Saviour

Now there is hope beyond the tomb 

For You were raised again in glory

And I am raised to life in You

Forevermore to live with You!

CHORUS

Praise the Lord, my God, now I am free

At the cross Your grace took hold of me

There You paid my debt, there You fought my fight

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Praise the Lord, my God, now I am free

At the cross Your grace took hold of me

There You paid my debt, there You fought my fight

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Victory in Jesus (Christ Won the Victory)

 

Victory in Jesus (Christ Won the Victory) 

 Keith and Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell 

Chorus

Oh victory in Jesus

My Savior forever

He sought me and bought me

With His redeeming blood

He loved me ere I knew Him

And all my love is due Him

He plunged me to victory

Beneath the cleansing flood

Verse 1

I heard an old, old story

How a Savior came from glory

How He gave His life on Calvary

To save a wretch like me

I heard about His groaning

Of His precious blood's atoning

Then I repented of my sin,

Christ won the victory!

Verse 2

I heard about His healing

All His miracles revealing 

That He alone can save a soul

And set the captive free

I’m happy in His promise 

How soon He’s coming for us 

And home with Him I’ll sing again: 

Christ won the victory!

Verse 3

I’ll tell the old, old story

Till my Savior comes from glory

I’ll tell of all the Lord has done

To set this sinner free

That all who will believe Him 

By Faith can still receive Him

And share in that redemption song:

Christ won the victory!

Behold Our God

Behold Our God 

Sovereign Grace Music

Verse 1

Who has held the oceans in His hands

Who has numbered every grain of sand

Kings and nations tremble at His voice

All creation rises to rejoice

Chorus

Behold our God seated on His throne

Come let us adore Him

Behold our King nothing can compare

Come let us adore Him

Verse 2

Who has given counsel to the Lord

Who can question any of His words

Who can teach the One who knows all things

Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds

Verse 3

Who has felt the nails upon His hand

Bearing all the guilt of sinful man

God eternal humbled to the grave

Jesus Saviour risen now to reign

Bridge

You will reign forever

(Let Your glory fill the earth)

(REPEAT)

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Verse 1

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us;

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear Desire of ev’ry nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Verse 2

Joy to those who long to see Thee

Day-spring from on high, appear.

Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse,

Of Thy birth, we long to hear!

O’er the hills the angels singing

News, glad tidings of a birth;

“Go to Him your praises bringing

Christ the Lord has come to earth!”

Verse 3

Come to earth to taste our sadness,

He whose glories knew no end.

By His life He brings us gladness,

Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.

Leaving riches without number,

Born within a cattle stall;

This the everlasting wonder,

Christ was born the Lord of all.

Verse 4

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child, and yet a King,

Born to reign in us for ever,

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all-sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

---------------------------------

Christmas, a Day for the Suffering 

He is with us. May we embrace Him no matter how we feel. Don’t let the insects in your light, dim your radiance for Him in how you suffer your suffering. We are one with the Crucified. His suffering bounds us to Him. May we, too bring glory to God in our darkest, lowest places this season. He is with you. His love has saved you. You may be unfaithful, but He is faithful. Worship Him today! May God meet you where you are this coming week. A holiday wrought with both joy and suffering. Merry Christmas!

---------------------------------

The Face-to-Face Nature of Christmas 

God is born among us, and He has a name. This name highlights His individuality, and this name is an offer of relationship to every single person. God became one of us not to save humanity in general but to save you, personally. We can view this truth in the way that the God-child interacts with people during His public ministry: He calls His disciples by name; He spends time with the sick; and He eats with sinners. In all circumstances, Jesus looks at the other person to reveal that He has come for them in a personal and life altering manner.

---------------------------------

Exult In The Savior's Birth

 

 Exult In The Savior's Birth 

Matt Boswell

Verse 1

Shepherds watched their flocks at night,

attending lowly sheep;

Now within a cattle shed,

a much stranger watch they keep.

Today, a Savior has been born

and He is Christ, the Lord;

Placed within a humble trough,

this baby must be adored.

Verse 2

Pagan wise men from the East

seek out the infant King;

Trackless miles behind them lie

and now all their rev’rence bring.

They have come to worship Him

with spices and with gold;

Countless millions seek Him still,

who’s advent was long foretold.

Verse 3

For to us a child is born,

to us a Son is giv’n;

He shall reign in righteousness,

this Counselor King from heav’n.

The government will rest on Him,

He is the mighty God;

Prince of Peace, this gentle King

yet rules with a mighty rod.

Verse 4

Scriptures say that Mary’s boy

was born that he might die;

Angel voices burst in praise,

their harmony fills the sky.

Sing, “Glory in the highest heav’n!”

Sing, “Gracious peace on earth!”

Those on whom His favor rests,

exult in the Saviour’s birth.

For unto us a child is born, 

for unto us a Son is given

A Savior given

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne...

 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

1) Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When Thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room

For Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

2) Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,

Proclaiming Thy royal degree;

But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,

And in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

3) The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest

In the shade of the forest tree;

But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,

In the deserts of Galilee.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

4) Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word

That should set Thy people free;

But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,

They bore Thee to Calvary.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

5) When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,

At Thy coming to victory,

Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,

There is room at My side for thee."

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,

When Thou comest and callest for me.

King of Kings

 

  King of Kings 

 Hillsong Worship

VERSE 1

In the darkness we were waiting

Without hope without light

Till from heaven You came running

There was mercy in Your eyes

To fulfil the law and prophets

To a virgin came the Word

From a throne of endless glory

To a cradle in the dirt

CHORUS:

Praise the Father

Praise the Son

Praise the Spirit three in one

God of glory

Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings

VERSE 2

To reveal the kingdom coming

And to reconcile the lost

To redeem the whole creation

You did not despise the cross

For even in Your suffering

You saw to the other side

Knowing this was our salvation

Jesus for our sake You died

VERSE 3

And the morning that You rose

All of heaven held its breath

Till that stone was moved for good

For the Lamb had conquered death

And the dead rose from their tombs

And the angels stood in awe

For the souls of all who’d come

To the Father are restored

VERSE 4

And the Church of Christ was born

Then the Spirit lit the flame

Now this gospel truth of old

Shall not kneel shall not faint

By His blood and in His Name

In His freedom I am free

For the love of Jesus Christ

Who has resurrected me

Prayer for Thanksgiving Day

Prayer for Thanksgiving Day

Almighty God, most merciful Father,

you open your hand

 and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

We give you most humble and hearty thanks

that you have crowned the fields with your blessing,

and have permitted us once more

to gather in the fruits of the earth.

Bless and protect the living seed 

of your Word sown in our hearts,

that in the abundant fruits of righteousness

we may always present to you

 an acceptable thank-offering;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one true God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: The Lutheran Hymnary, 1913

The King of Love My Shepherd Is

 

The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance

CityAlight 

All my attempts to be satisfied

Were vain and empty

Until the moment you rescued me

And your love filled me

My soul sings

Now my soul sings

What blessed assurance

I’ve found in you

I’ve found in you

I won’t be shaken I will not be moved

How steadfast your strong hand

Is keeping me

Is keeping me

I won’t be shaken I will not be moved

Oh blessed assurance

No other love that I’ve ever known

Compares to you God

No other love that I’ve ever found

Has done what you’ve done

Ever my anchor

Ever my strength

Ever my portion

And all I need

Ever my healing

Ever my hope

Ever the truth that leads me home

That leads me home

Prayer for Veterans Day

Dear Lord,

Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s heritage, for all of us.

Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression.

We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen. Here

In My Place

 

 In My Place

 Kenwood Music 

Verse 1 

God in heaven, high and holy, 

measure of all good and beauty, 

who can stand before the fire of holiness? 

Verse 2 

Sinners here so poor and needy, 

who would come and clear the guilty? 

If you numbered all our sins, Lord, who could stand? 

Chorus 

In my place He stood, 

all my debt nailed to the wood. 

All my stains washed white 

by the blood of Christ, my life. 

Verse 3 

Justice satisfied at Cal’vry; 

sin there silenced by His mercy. 

Where, O death, is your reply to Christ, our King? 

Verse 4 

Saints, forgiven, sing to Jesus; 

bow before the lamb slain for us. 

Hallelujah to the Savior evermore!

The Way, the Truth and the Life

 

 The Way, the Truth and the Life 

 CityAlight

V1

I will fix my eyes on Christ

The one and only way

I will follow in His steps

He leads me day by day

V2

I won’t trust in empty words

That wash away like sand

I have heard the Gospel truth

And on that rock I stand

   CHORUS    

I will follow the Son

He goes before me

Through death into glory

Preparing the way

‘Til the day He returns

I walk with assurance

For I know the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

V3     

Now death has no claim on me

My king rose from the grave

As He rose so I will rise

The Life has called my name

The Life has called my name

CHORUS

I will follow the Son

He goes before me

Through death into glory

Preparing the way

‘Til the day He returns

I walk with assurance

For I know the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

    BRIDGE     

I will run the race with hope and faith

No turning back He leads the way

On that final day with thanks and praise

I will run through Heaven’s gates

CHORUS

I will follow the Son

He goes before me

Through death into glory

Preparing the way

‘Til the day He returns

I walk with assurance

For I know the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

Christus Victor

 

Christus Victor (Amen) 

 Keith & Kristyn Getty, Cochren & Co.

Vs 1

O Most High, King of the ages

Great I AM, God of wonders

By the blood You have redeemed us

Led us through mighty waters

Our strength, our song, our sure salvation

Chorus 1

Now to the Lamb upon the throne

Be blessing, honor, glory, power

For the battle You have won

Hallelujah! Amen

Vs 2

O Most High, dwelling among us

Son of man sent for sinners

By Your blood You have redeemed us

Spotless Lamb, mighty Savior

Who lived, who died, who rose victorious

Chorus 2, 3

Now to the Lamb upon the throne

Be blessing, honor, glory, power

For the battle You have won

Hallelujah! Amen

With every tribe and every tongue

We join the anthem of the angels 

In the triumph of the Son

Hallelujah! Amen

Sing the victory of the Lamb

Hallelujah! Amen

Vs 3

O Most High, King of the nations

Robed in praise, crowned with splendor

On that day who will not tremble?

When You stand Christ the Victor

Who was, and is, and is forever

Amen, amen, amen

Amen, amen, amen, amen

Jesus Does...

 

Jesus Does 

 by We the Kingdom

"The Triumph of God in Suffering..."

 

"The Triumph of God in Suffering" (Part 4)

 Lafayette Alliance Church  10.6.24

 Pastor Rob Gates  

The Lord's My Shepherd...

 

 The Lord's My Shepherd

 Stuart Townend

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;

He makes me lie in pastures green.

He leads me by the still, still waters,

His goodness restores my soul.

And I will trust in You alone,

And I will trust in You alone,

For Your endless mercy follows me,

Your goodness will lead me home.

He guides my ways in righteousness,

And He anoints my head with oil,

And my cup, it overflows with joy,

I feast on His pure delights.

And though I walk the darkest path,

I will not fear the evil one,

For You are with me, and Your rod and staff

Are the comfort I need to know.