1, September 5, 20141, September 5, 2014

The “Fork in the Road”…Sept. 7th

Decisions on the ‘road of life’ are basically easy. Either I keep going straight ahead, I stop altogether, or I turn around and go back where I came from. Stopping on the road of life isn’t desirable, and as much as we’d like, ‘going back’ isn’t an option. So we forge ahead and keep on going. But when the road I’m traveling comes to a fork, I have to make a decision. Either turn left or right. How do I know which way to turn? The answer is so ridiculously simple; just ask yourself, ‘where do I want to go?’ If you have a map, you know which fork to take. But without it you’re left up to guessing. And to be honest, an uninformed decision could be deadly.

Of course our ‘forks in the road’ may be as simple as whether we chose to discipline our children or ‘be their friend.’ Even the decision of whether or not to ‘go to church’ is a fork in our road. Realizing our decisions may impact our destiny should make us consider the ‘map.’ Remember the words Joshua said to the people of Israel; “…choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) They had a decision to make as the road they were traveling led them into the promise land. Their fork was either ‘serve God,’ or serve ‘other’ gods. And like them, we too must consider, “the Fork in the Road.”

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

Sunday morning, September 7, 2014

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

“Step by Step” – 15

“O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You…” Each step we take on our road must be taken with Him. And we take each step by seeking Him every morning (daily), and learning how to walk in His ways (following the scripture). Once we’ve patterned our lives after Him and walk in His steps, then we’ll know which fork we should take.

“The Love of God” – 122

With the love of God inside our heart, we can impart kindness and warmth to those we meet on the road of life. We can…but will we? The love of God brightens our way and gives us a clearer understanding of what to do when we come to the forks in the road. Take comfort in singing the third verse, “…He has shone us the road…”

“Savior, Thy Dying Love” – 667

“Savior, Thy dying love Thou gavest (gave to) me…” Christ died for us and we sing about His love in this old hymn, but do we just take His love and store it away? Are we willing to give the love He shows us to others? Do you have something, anything you can give to Him? Can you bring to Christ ‘some wanderer’ who is lost in sin. Is there some song you could sing in praise to God? Do you have some offering you could give…something, anything to give to your Savior?

“Oft We Come Together” – no book

A song we no longer have in the Faith and Praise hymnal, but one that reminds us to come together and remember the Lord’s Supper. Often we come together to sing and pray. To bring an offering and to keep in memory all the things Jesus said. To worship our God as we eat the bread and take the cup of blessing. Then in the chorus we sing, “Help us Lord, to see Thy love…”

“Once to Every Man and Nation” – 696

Good or Evil…that’s the choice and to be brutally honest that is the ultimate fork in the road. Which direction will we take in life. We can ease our minds and say we’re taking the ‘right road,’ but if it’s not God’s way…it’s the wrong way. Notice the wording in this old, spiritual song, “By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track, toiling up new Calvaries (difficult situations) ever with the cross that turns not back; new occasions teach new duties, ancient values test our youth; they must upward, still and onward, who would keep abreast of (stay with) truth.”

“He Leadeth Me” – 410

Understanding that God leads me in this life, I’m able to know what to do and how to turn when I face the fork in the road. The question we have to ask…is God leading me? “By His own hand, He leadeth me. His faithful follower I would be…”

“What Will Your Answer Be?” – no book

What road will you take? What is your decision? We sing as our invitation song, “Some day you’ll stand at the bar on high, some day your record you’ll see. Someday you’ll answer the question of life…” What road did you take?

“Who Will Follow Jesus?” – no book

We close our song service together with this wonderful song of confirmation. The question we sing (ask) demands an answer; “Who will follow Jesus, standing for the right, holding up His banner in the thickest fight? Listening for His orders, ready to obey, who will follow Jesus, serving Him today?” We have a choice to make, either we will or we won’t follow Him. Let’s do more than just sing the chorus together, let’s live saying…“I am on the Lord’s side; Master, here am I!” Walking down the road of life we will eventually come to a fork. With God as our Guide and the Bible as our map, we’ll know which road to take.

1, June 14, 20131, June 16, 2013

God’s Chosen Fathers…June 16th

On a clear Sunday afternoon in the mid-1990’s our family went to eat lunch after morning services. As we were getting our children out of their car seats and into the restaurant, Logan, then three, asked, “Since we celebrate mommy’s on Mother’s Day and daddy’s on Father’s Day, when do we celebrate ‘Son Day’?” My response; “Every day…is son’s day.”

But if the truth be know, every day we should be recognizing the Son of God and celebrate Him. This past month we took some time to honor our mothers, and this Sunday we’ll take a minute and consider our dads. Father’s Day and Mother’s Day were designed by our country to honor our parents (Ephesians 6:1, 2). But men we must remember our responsibility as dads. Join us as we consider the idea that God has chosen us to be fathers.

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

Sunday morning, June 16, 2013

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

“Restore My Soul” – no book

As we sing this song to God we’re asking Him to restore us, revive us and renew us. The text for this hymn is Psalm 80, “O God, restore us and cause Your face to shine upon us…” Surely we have all felt weary, empty and ‘cold’ in our zeal for God. But this morning as we sing, we’ll be calling on Him to renew our love for Him, rebuild our faith in Him and restore our soul.

“Night with Ebon Pinion” – no book

This is an old spiritual song that dates back to the mid-1800’s, with some very strong Biblical applications. The poetry from this song has caused many to abandon it, but in so doing we lose a beautiful message about the last hours of Christ’s life on earth. Terms like “ebon pinion” and “brooded o’re the vale’ have perplexed many Christians into leaving this hymn behind, but consider what we’re singing. Ebon means ‘black in color’ while pinions are the wings/feathers of a bird. To ‘brood’ is to hover or sit upon, and the ‘vale’ is the valley. Now pull them all together with this translation; The dark night had settled and was hovering over the valley like the wings of bird… We have an obligation to take the time to understand what we’re singing. Maybe that’s why some of our older hymns have been tossed out; we would rather not think about the words.

“God is So Good” – 83

A simple song with a complex message. God is good, He answers prayer and He cares for me. Would that be the reason we sing the final verse, “I love Him so…” or is our faithfulness unconditional? He died for us when we were undeserving. Do you love Him because He’s good and answers your prayers? Simple, but complex…

“Walk with Me” – 394

Less than 50 years old, we sing this hymn asking for God’s guidance and presence in our daily lives. The refrain is a personal plea that I will follow in His footsteps from Galilee to Gethsemane. Fathers, remember our responsibility to lead our families; we’ll do it best when we walk with Jesus.

“Faith of Our Fathers” – 754

Fredrick Faber captured the message here of a godly heritage. When our father’s are faithful and pass that faith down to their children, we are blessed. But fathers, have you ever been confined to the dungeon, or faced the fire and sword? Who of us have been chained in prisons dark? Hebrews 11:32-38 gives us the remembrance of these faithful (fore)fathers as we look at verses 1 & 2, “Now faith, is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” “Faith of our fathers! Holy faith! We will be true to Thee (God) till death!”

“Step by Step” – 15

Before our lesson we’ll medley Faith of Our Fathers with Step by Step. Song leaders, since the key signatures are the same and the message is sequential, the flow of these two songs make a beautiful combination. The tradition followed by the contemporary makes for a powerful reminder that our faith in God will seek Him in the daily. Each step toward God shows our families, and this lost world, that we are devoted to walking in His ways.

“I Am Coming, Lord” – 923

“I hear Thy welcome voice that calls me, Lord, to Thee…” As our invitation song we open the door, so to speak, for those who are lost or struggling in their faith to come back to God. An invitation song isn’t the only time we seek the lost, but it’s a great opportunity. In our hymnals, Faith & Praise, only the first verse is provided. But this Sunday morning we’ll revisit Louis Hartsough’s original writing; ” ‘Tis (It is) Jesus (who) calls me on to perfect faith and love, to perfect hope and peace and trust, for earth and heav’n above…” To those who are hurting, sad and lost in sin, there is peace in the blood that flowed from Calvary.

“To Christ Be True” – 736

What better way to end the service this morning than to reconfirm our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We’ll join our voices and sing to encourage each other to be true to Christ. Why, ‘…for He will go with you, and help you’ through all your conflicts. But more importantly, because we have been chosen to lead our children to Him.

1, February 22, 20131, February 23, 2013

A 50 Year Journey…Feb. 24th

Sunday morning, February 24th, Waterview church of Christ celebrates 50 years with Robert & Willora Oglesby. Since the spring of 1963, Robert has been the pulpit preacher for this congregation of God’s people. For that longevity of faithfulness we give God the glory. As we sing today, our songs are intended to admonish and encourage the family as we bring before God our sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). Thanks be to God for working through Robert these past 50 years!

The following ‘order of worship’ is designed to focus our mind toward our worship to Him. Think about the songs you sing in praise to God…

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

Sunday morning, February 24, 2013

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Step By Step”, “Here We Are But Straying Pilgrims” & “He Has Made Me Glad” – 15, 537 & 103 respectively

This three song medley is a strong, upbeat blend using a hymn, spiritual song and psalm (can you tell which one is which…yes, I know there is some gray in the definition of each, but you get the idea). We begin this morning proclaiming our faith in God and announcing that, ‘…I will follow You all of my days’. Our second song in this medley encourages the saints to focus on heaven. With the verses sung in unison, we sense the oneness of our journey home. Finally, the last song in this medley is a quote from Psalm 100. We come together with thanksgiving in our hearts…I’m glad to be worshiping with the saints!

“Til My Faith Becomes Sight” – 836

The second verse provides us the reminder of our reason for coming together this morning…“Lamb of God, dear hope of glory, Savior crucified, by Your blood I am redeemed my debt now satisfied…” We must ‘keep our eyes’ on Jesus as we meet, communion and worship our King.

“‘Tis Set the Feast Divine” – no book

Not in many of our hymnals, this song by L. O. Sanderson serves to prepare our minds (keep our minds) focused on the Savior and His death on the cross. “May we the Lord discern…” As we sing we’re asking that we all recognize and realize the death of Jesus is the only thing we need to concern ourselves with. When we eat of the bread and drink of the cup…what are you thinking about?

“In Memory of the Savior’s Love” – 335

Following the passing of the fruit of the vine, we’ll sing this old hymn by Thomas Cotterill written in 1805. Notice the call for us to remember His love, and come before Him with a contrite heart. How contrite (full of remorse) is your heart when you take of the Lord’s Supper? We take the bread of life and the token cup of blood as we anticipate the ‘heavenly feast above’.

“This World is Not My Home” – 957

Do you ‘feel right at home’ when it comes to this world? If you do I would recommend you reconsider your comfort zone. We’ll sing here about our treasures being stored in heaven (Matthew 6:19) and not feeling at home in this world anymore. The chorus is so strong; “…if heaven’s not my home, then Lord, what will I do?” Remember this, without the hope of heaven we’re lost in an unfriendly world.

“Higher Ground” (Ken Young version) – no book

This revised, old song has become a Waterview favorite during the last 8-10 years. The words haven’t changed, but the music has. Same tune, but the 2nd verse brings a solid foundation of male voices singing, “Heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay. Some may dwell where these abound my prayer my aim is higher ground…” Notice what you just read/sang; My heart doesn’t want to stay here (this world is not my home) where there are doubts and fears that destroy our courage (dismay). But even though some people seem to dwell in this type of circumstance ( where doubts and fears abound), my prayer and my aim is HIGHER GROUND!

“Let Me Live Close to Thee” – 831

Not a typical invitation song, but since we’re talking and thinking about our journey, this seems to fit our call for repentance, change and renewing. How willing are you to ‘work and never shirk’ for your God. Let’s all say (sing) we want to live close to Him each day.

“The Battle Belongs to the Lord” – no book

A contemporary song that proclaims the victory belongs to God. We’ll close this morning’s worship service with a song of victory. Will you go out into the world and take on the full armor (panoply) of God? In the chorus, as we sing, let’s give all our 1) glory, 2) honor, 3) power and 4) strength to the Lord.