Tag: Pilgrims

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The Awesome Power of Negative Fellowship…Sept. 14th

An ‘oxymoron’ is a statement that places side by side two elements that seem to be in contradiction of each other. Words and ideals that just don’t seem to match. Phrases like a dark light, a mournful optimist, deafening silence, or jumbo shrimp are referred to as an oxymoron. Avoid Bad CompanyBut consider something awesome (inspiring and outstanding) as being negative…could we be talking about an oxymoron during Sunday morning’s lesson?

In I Corinthians chapter 15, as Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, he makes this statement; “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ “ Quoting a Greek poet, Paul, by inspiration is telling Christians to be careful about our fellowship. Some individuals we associate with can have a negative influence on our life. So maybe you should ask yourself if the fellowship you are ‘enjoying’ is positive or negative. Are you concerned about “the awesome power of negative fellowship?”

 

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, September 14, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“I Stand in Awe” – 96

How do you view God? Is He awesome? Do you revere Him, bow before Him and serve Him? Or is He just someone on your check list? We sing this hymn simply stating, “You (God) are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words. Too wonderful for comprehension, like tree planted by the waterNOTHING ever seen or heard…” So how do you see God? Is He indescribable, beyond your comprehension? If so…do you stand in awe of Him?

“I Shall Not Be Moved” – 976

Follow the medley as we continue singing “I Stand in Awe”: “Holy God to Whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You!” “Glory Hallelujah! I shall not be moved, anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved…” As we stand in awe of our God’s majesty and power, may we, like a tree planted by the waters, never be moved from our conviction.

“How Firm a Foundation” – 457

And as we finish the thought process from the first two songs in our medley we conclude “I Shall Not Be Moved”: “…just like a tree that’s planted by the water, I shall not be moved.” “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word…” The music will flow, but more importantly let us follow the train of thought; I stand in awe of God’s power, and in that strong belief I shall not be moved. Because I have a firm foundation on which I stand.

“Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” – 603

This morning, between our first two prayers, we’ll sing of our Savior’s guidance in this old maritime hymn. “Chart and compass came from Thee…” We have God’s word as our guide to direct us through this life. It will help us navigate the waters of friendship so we find the awesome power of a positive fellowship.

“My Jesus, I Love Thee” – 701

Before we partake of the Lord’s Supper we’ll focus on our Savior’s love. Verse two provides this thought, “I love Thee (Jesus), because (You) has first loved me, and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree; I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, (it is) now.”

“Create in Me a Clean Heart” – no book

A contemporary hymn that comes straight from the text, so maybe it’s a psalm? The words of King David in Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” Is this your prayer? Do you desire a clean heart and a renewed, right, spirit? Do you fear being ‘cast away’ from God’s presence? Consider this; if our fellowship is surrounded by negative influences, we will be separated from His Spirit.

“Cleanse Me” – 420

This hymn isn’t too popular today, but during World War II this tune accompanied the words to “Now is the Hour” by Gracie Field. Today we sing this hymn using the words from Psalm 139. “Search me, O God, and know my heart today; Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me; cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.” Am I being negatively influenced by those with whom I fellowship? Pray for God to guide your heart, your thoughts and your friendship!

“Here We Are But Straying Pilgrims” – 537

Before our lesson we’ll sing of our journey toward heaven. When was the last time you let the songs of the saints ‘cheer your journey?’ On a path that is dim, and with hills where the dark storms gather, we need a fellowship that is positive and God-focused. Let’s stay close to each other as we keep our ‘longing eyes’ on the smile of the blessed Giver.

“Jesus Is Tenderly Calling” – 947Standing on the Promises

If you have struggled in your fellowship choices and you have wandered from the sunshine of God’s love, it’s time to ‘come home.’ Not only is Jesus ‘tenderly calling,’ but He’s waiting too. But you’d best not delay…Jesus is calling today!

“Standing on the Promises” – 452

A popular spiritual song confirming ‘where we stand,’ who we fellowship with and to what we hold fast. But choosing the positive fellowship over the negative isn’t always easy. Remember, there is an awesome power in negative fellowship. You might say those influences can be strong, howling storms of doubt and fear. Fortunately, by the living word of God, as I stand on His promises, I shall prevail.

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Asking Directions on the Way to Canaan…April 28th

At Waterview church of Christ, we are dedicated to studying, learning and following God’s word.  Robert Oglesby will present a message this morning that is designed to help us focus on our ‘journey’ to heaven.

Branson Trip SunriseHow much thought do you give to your ultimate destination?  Is heaven just an assumed ‘next step’ or is it there something we should be preparing for?  Whether our skies are clear, or overcast, we know our goal. The children of God, struggled on their journey to the Promise Land (40 years worth of struggles), yet this morning, consider the questions we ask as we’re Bound for the Promised Land.

 

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, April 28, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“The Steadfast Love of the Lord” – 123

This psalm is the text as we sing the praises found in Lamentations 3:22-24, “The Lord’s loving kindness indeed never ceases, for His compassion’s never fail.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I will hope in Him.’ So what do you mean when you sing, ‘The Lord is my portion…’?  By definition, a portion can be an inheritance…

lost in thought

 

“Sing On, Ye Joyful Pilgrims” – 747

Have you ever been ‘lost in thought?’  Someone asks you a question, but your mind was somewhere else?  In the chorus of this ‘spiritual song’ we sing… “My heart is filled with rapture (extreme joy), my soul is lost in praise.”  Of all things we could be wrapped up in (lost in), how much more worthy to be lost in praise.  It makes sense that we would…sing on, ye joyful pilgrims!


“The Lord’s Supper” – no book

The title of this song lets the singer/listener know what we’re focused on.  Another title you might use to find this ‘psalm’ would be ‘When We Meet in Sweet Communion’.  We remember the Lord’s death as we communion together around the table and obey His words, “…do this in remembrance of Me.” (I Corinthians 11:24)

“By Christ Redeemed” – 366

We find the basis of this spiritual song in I Corinthians 11:26, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” We have an obligations, an honor, to partake in this memorial of our Savior for as long as we live…or until He comes!

“There is a Redeemer” – 287

We sing the affirmation of this contemporary hymn/spiritual song as we proclaim, “There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son…”  Melody Green wrote, and we sing, a song of thanks to God.  “Thank You for giving us Your Son and leaving with us the gift of the Holy Spirit…until our work is done.”  How are you doing with YOUR work?

“Here We Are But Straying Pilgrims” – 537

I enjoy singing in unison the verses of this song, then blend our voices in the chorus with a full, 4-part harmony.  But don’t get caught up in the music and miss the message.  Does your path seem dim or are your feet weary?  Have you ever thought of the clouds of doubt and fear as a ‘lurking foe?’  Just remember that the Lord is our defender, and know that singing a song of heaven will cheer your way.  Why…because “Yonder over the rolling river…soon will be our home, forever!”

“We’re Marching to Zion” – 869

As a medley with the previous song, this ‘spiritual song’ call those that love the Lord to come, and let our joys been made known.  In other words, let’s sing so the world will know that we love God, and we’re living so we can go to heaven (we’re marching to Zion).

“I Am Bound for the Promised Land” – 889

The words of this song were written by Samuel Stennett in 1787, but don’t mistake it with “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand” (page 886).  Though the message is over 225 years old, it’s still true for us today… “I’m bound for the Promised Land…”

“When Upon Life’s Billows” – 742

Also known as “Count Your Many Blessings”, this song by Johnson Oatman in 1897 encourages us to recognize how God impacts our lives.  Whether we’re tossed on the sea of life, discouraged thinking ‘all is lost’ or feeling as though the cares and doubts of life burden us, do you see the blessings of God?  If you’ll count the blessings God has given you, it will surprise you to know what the Lord had done?

“God Bless You, Go with God” – 752

We’ll close our morning services as we sing to admonish one another, “God bless you, go with God.”   We understand this cruel world will test us and hurl lies at us, but the only hope we have is in Christ.  Let’s sing to encourage each other and always be praying for each other.  This is my daily prayer…that God will bless you and that you will go with God!