“There’s a peace I’ve come to know”
“Jesus has overcome”
“There’s a day that’s drawing near”
“And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise…”
That’s the question on a lot of minds on a day like today.
And I understand that question. There are many events in my own life I’ve wondered where God was.
It was a day none of us will forget for so many reasons. The day quickly became dark and tragic, but there were also more acts of heroism that day, of light in the darkness, than we will ever fully know.
Like 24-year-old Welles Crowther who called his mother from the South Tower to let her know he was okay, and then began to lead others to safety, carrying an injured woman on his back down 15 floors and then returning to help more.
And Rick Rescorla who, as a head of security in the South Tower, ignored orders to keep employees at their desks, saving 2700 people.
And Army Specialist Beau Doboszenski who was working as a tour guide on the other side of the Pentagon. Upon hearing the chaos, he ran to the crash site and spent the next several hours helping co-workers and running into the flames to help bring people out.
These acts of heroism are amazing enough, but looking at their backstories, we can see just a little bit of the hand of God orchestrating the saving of so many lives.
Like the fact that Welles Crowther had been a volunteer firefighter in his teens and was well prepared to confidently lead. Even the fact that somehow that day he had been wearing a red bandana that was able to keep him from breathing in too much smoke as he saved at least 12 people. His body was found in a stairwell headed back up with the jaws of life.
And like the fact that Rick Rescorla had served in Vietnam, with distinction, and had the wisdom to lead his people to safety. And for years he had the forethought to have the employees practice fire drills. Because of that, more than 2700 people made it down the tower to safety in 16 minutes. Rick Rescorla’s body was never found.
And like the fact that Beau Doboszenski was a former firefighter and a trained EMT.
Too many lives were lost that day. The enemy of all that is good and right and holy was there to cause death and destruction and what he’d love to leave in his evil wake is a doubt and mistrust that God was there or that He even exists.
But God is the one who prepared people years in advance with special training and placed them where they needed to be when they needed to be there.
God is the Giver of strength, courage, wisdom, and perseverance.
God is the one who instills in people His love, the greater love that lays down his life for others.
We’ll never fully understand the whys this side of heaven, about that fateful day, or about tragic days in our own personal lives.
But God knows.
Years later we can catch a small glimpse into the behind-the-scenes stories of that day, shining a light on some of the good, among countless other similar sacrificial stories that took place among the evil and about how God was there in their midst.
God sees the full picture. And we can trust He was there that day giving strength to heroes just as He’s with us every day, including our worst days, filling us with His strength, courage, and hope.
And someday maybe God will show us all the behind-the-scenes stories of those awful days in our own lives and how He was right there with us in the midst of it all.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Cor. 13:12b
Heavenly Father, thank you for never leaving us or forsaking us. Thank you for preparing a home for us and giving us the hope of being with you someday, when you will have struck down evil for the last time, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Thank you for the incredible bravery of so many men and women on that day, for giving what we know was even beyond their own strength . We pray for those who lost loved ones that day. We ask that you would be especially near to them today, and that you would comfort them with your peace that passes all understanding. We know that you will prevail, that you’ve already conquered evil at the cross, and we pray for many more souls to come to know Christ as their own Lord and Savior, even today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, we love you and praise you. We are so blessed to call you our Father, and to know that we can put every ounce of faith in you and you alone. You are our Provider, our Redeemer, our Hope and our Comfort.
Father, you are our Rock. Whenever everything else around is shaky, we stand upon you, the immovable, unshakeable, unchangeable Rock.
Help us remember to be wise stewards of the grace and time you’ve given us, putting into practice the words of Christ, building upon the foundation you’ve laid through Him so we can remain steadfast in our faith no matter what comes.
May we continually stand upon the Rock of our salvation, shining a light of hope and encouragement for believers and unbelievers alike, that through it all you will be glorified.
Thank you, precious Lord. In Jesus’ holy and worthy name we pray, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you. You are righteous and holy and mighty, and we lift up the name of Jesus Christ as the only name by which we can be saved.
Father, there is a constant, seemingly endless number of voices in our ears, trying to tell us what to think, what to believe, and what to do.
But we know only you have the wisdom we need to live this life according to your will, and only you have the Holy Spirit we need to carry out your will.
Father, we ask that you would anoint our ears to listen to only your voice and to carry out your wisdom no matter what the world tries to tell us.
Help us remember the importance of spending time in your Word, the source of all truth and wisdom, and to do that daily. Please open your Word to us and give us understanding and speak to each of our hearts what we need to hear to live lives that glorify you.
Help us not be swayed by the words of the world, or by words of any who may sound compelling, but are not of you.
Please lead us through this valley of the shadow of death, so that we come through victorious, matured followers of Christ, having had the privilege of bringing glory to the eternal King of kings. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you. We lift up your righteous and holy name above all names as the one true God, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who created us to have relationship with you, to know you, to commune with you, to be a grand part of your creation that would glorify your goodness and beauty and grace.
Father we pray for all the saints. We pray you would consecrate us, that we would understand you have made us a holy people that are meant to be separate from the world, that is, to live in a different way, to have a different perspective, to see people and circumstances through your eyes rather than as the world sees.
We pray you would lovingly convict each of us of any sins we’ve allowed as we’ve become complacent, and that we would repent, turn, and do the right thing, live the right way so that we would honor the calling you’ve so graciously given us.
As we do that, let us be a light in the darkness, shining brightly for the world to see what true love and grace and forgiveness are so that many come to know you through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We pray you would encourage us and fill us with joy that we might have strength in the face of the enemy, and with your peace that passes all understanding no matter what storms rage around us.
We pray we would be one just as you and your Son are one, and that we are all one in you.
We pray we would be filled with the Holy Spirit, that we would worship you in Spirit and in truth.
Let us remember who we are in you, Lord, that we are children of the King, holy and righteous because, through your Son, you have made us so.
Sanctify us that we might live as your chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that we might speak of the praises of the One who has called us out of darkness into your marvelous light.
May we empty ourselves and let you fill us up with your Spirit who gives us everything we need to live in these hard times, and not only to live, but to prosper and to be victorious. May we come together and live for you and you alone, and bring you all the glory due your name. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you. We praise you for your goodness and love, for your heart full of grace and mercy. Thank you for showing us your character in the love of a mom. That in her we see your unconditional love, your tender nurturing, your amazing grace. I pray for moms everywhere, that no matter what situation they’re in today, they would feel your love. I pray you would continue to strengthen them and give them wisdom. I pray you would comfort those who are grieving. I pray for all of us, that no matter what stage of motherhood we’re in, we would look to you and draw on your character that we might be moms who give you glory, and leave a godly legacy for our children. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise your holy and your precious name. We praise you for your grace and mercy, for your goodness and your faithfulness. You are glorified above all.
Father we confess our sins to you and ask you to forgive us, not because of anything within ourselves, not because we can earn it, but solely by of the blood of Jesus the Messiah that was shed for the forgiveness of our sin.
We humbly come to you today for victory. Just as Jehoshaphat prayed when he was facing a force greater than he could humanly handle, we also pray – we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
Father, we are helpless, and we need you. We ask that you would act on our behalf, Sovereign Lord.
We pray for wisdom for our leaders and wisdom and protection for all our healthcare workers. We pray for needed equipment, beds, testing, all they need in order to take care of the sick.
We pray for healing for the sick; we pray for peace for their loved ones;
we pray for protection for the remaining businesses, that those that have slowed you will keep afloat and bring them back again; we pray for businesses that have had to shut down, that you would lead those employers and employees to jobs and new businesses;
we pray for churches, for provision for the pastors and leaders, and that church families would continue to pray and trust you, and you would bring them back together again;
we pray for every believer, that you would keep us strong in the faith; we pray your Spirit would be poured out in and through your children to continually and boldly proclaim the name of Jesus as the only name by which we can be saved;
and we pray for every unbeliever, that you would soften hearts, open spiritual eyes, and grant repentance and belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
And we pray for your mercy, that you would remove the virus that has taken over this country and so much of the world. May you be glorified in the storm and in the victory. In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray, amen.
“For the Word of God is alive and active… Hebrews 4:12a
The author of the letter to the Hebrews implores its readers to not drift away from Christ, from His message, from their belief in Him as their Messiah, the final authority, and the only way to be saved.
Many of us, if not all of us, will at some point come to a trial that will cause a crisis of faith. A turning point. A time when the pressure will be almost intolerable and we will either press in to Him all the more, or we will look for a way out, and turn away from Him.
God’s Word clearly states that those who have been truly converted are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and I believe God will keep those believers in the faith through trials.
And those who completely turn away, who choose unbelief and never come back to faith are the ones who never had a belief in Christ that resulted in conversion.
But there is a third group, and those are the ones who have believed, who have been converted, but at that turning point choose to allow their hearts to be hardened and walk away, or step back to one degree or another, for a time.
I think any of us can find ourselves in that category if we’re not careful.
The author of Hebrews exhorts them to keep believing.
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that runs away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:12-13
Life can get pretty hard. And we can become disillusioned when we think God shouldn’t have allowed something so intensely painful, or that He should have rescued us in a certain way, or in a certain amount of time.
Right now we’re all facing a trial together. Many are out of work, many are sick, and many have lost loved ones.
We can choose to be angry and walk away from God, or we can choose to take our pain and our trials to the One who sits on the throne, who’s always sat on the throne, and who will always sit on the throne. The One who’s also taken up residence inside our hearts, and can heal our hearts and bring us through the trials.
For that reason, God’s given us His word which is “alive and active…”
Spending time in God’s Word is not like reading just any other book.
It is “God-breathed…“
If we allow it, through His Word God will teach us, rebuke us, correct us, change us, encourage us, reveal to us, cleanse us, fill us with His peace and joy, and draw us closer to Him so that instead of drifting away when a trial comes, our faith will grow stronger than ever before.
The way out of trials, is to stay in. Walking away from God does nothing but cause more heartache and pain. Stay in the trial, stay in the faith, stay in God’s Word, and let Him bring you out, or through, His way, in His timing, shining with faith.
Did you know it takes 725,000 pounds per square inch of 
pressure to turn carbon into a diamond? That’s a lot of pressure. But when they come through the process, they are one of the purest, most precious and most beautiful items there is, and because of that, they’ve become symbols of love.
God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves. Those trials full of pressure will purify our faith if we let them, if we seek Him and His heart-changing Word through them, if we allow Him to have His way in us. And when we come through it all, we will shine for eternity as treasures of God’s great and precious love.
Dr. S. M. (Shadrach Meshach) Lockridge served the Lord as a pastor from 1942 to 1993, and man did he love Jesus. In 1976 he delivered a sermon he called Amen. This is the powerful last six and half minutes of that sermon we know as That’s My King!
Let these words wash over you, and the gravity of who Christ is fill you with His peace, His strength, and His joy. If you’d like, you can listen to the entire sermon here.
Let’s worship…
That’s My King
My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a seven-way king….He’s the King of the Jews; that’s a racial king….He’s the King of Israel; that’s a national King….He’s the King of Righteousness….He’s the King of the Ages…..He’s the King of Heaven….He’s the King of Glory….He’s the King of kings, and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Well….I wonder, do you know Him?….
David said, “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.
No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He’s enduringly strong….He’s entirely sincere….He’s eternally steadfast….He’s immortally graceful….He’s imperially powerful….He’s impartially merciful……. Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son….He’s a sinner’s Saviour….He’s the centerpiece of civilization….He stands in the solitude of Himself….He’s august….
He’s unique….He’s unparalleled….He’s unprecedented….He’s the loftiest idea in literature….He’s the highest personality in philosophy….He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism….He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology….
He’s the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion….He’s the miracle of the age…. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him….He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour…… I wonder if you know Him today?
He supplies strength for the weak….He’s available for the tempted and the tried….He sympathizes and He saves….He strengthens and sustains….He guards and He guides….He heals the sick….He cleanses lepers….
He forgives sinners….He discharges debtors….He delivers captives….He defends the feeble….He blesses the young….He serves the unfortunate….He regards the aged….He rewards the diligent….and He beautifies the meek……. I wonder if you know Him?
Well, my King….is the King….He’s the key to knowledge….He’s the wellspring to wisdom….He’s the doorway of deliverance….He’s the pathway of peace….He’s the roadway of righteousness ….He’s the highway of holiness….He’s the gateway of glory……. Do you know Him?
Well….His office is manifold….His promise is sure….His light is matchless….His goodness is limitless….His mercy is everlasting….His love never changes….His word is enough….
His grace is sufficient….His reign is righteous….and His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable….He’s incomprehensible….He’s invincible….He’s irresistible.
Well, you can’t get Him out of your mind….You can’t get Him off of your hand….You can’t out live Him, and you can’t live without Him….The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him….Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him….
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree….Herod couldn’t kill Him….Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him. Yea!!!, that’s my King, that’s my King.
Father…”Thine is the Kingdom….and the Power….and the Glory….Forever”….and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever…and ever…and when you get through with all the forevers, then…. AMEN!….AMEN!
I was driving down the road minding my own business when a song I’d never heard before came on the radio. It grabbed my soul by the shoulders, shook it and said “get your eyes off the world, off yourself, and back onto the gracious, refreshing, life-giving, life-renewing Living Water of Jesus Christ.” Maybe it’ll do the same for you. God bless you today and always.
Holy Water
by We The Kingdom
God, I’m on my knees again
God, I’m beginning please again
I need you
Oh, I need you
Walking down these desert roads
Water for my thirsty soul
I need you
Oh, I need you
Your forgiveness
Is like sweet, sweet honey
On my lips
Like the sound of a symphony
To my ears
Like Holy water on my skin
Dead man walking, slave to sin
I wanna know being born again
I need you
Oh, God, I need you
So, take me to the riverside
Take me under, baptize
I need you
Oh, God I need you
Your forgiveness
Is like sweet, sweet honey
On my lips
Like the sound of a symphony
To my ears
Like holy water on my skin
(On my skin, on my…)
I don’t wanna abuse your grace
God, I need it every day
It’s the only thing that ever really
Makes me wanna change
I don’t wanna abuse your grace
God, I need it every day
It’s the only thing that ever really
Makes me wanna change
I don’t wanna abuse your grace
God, I need it every day
It’s the only thing that ever really
Makes me wanna change
I don’t wanna abuse your grace
God, I need it every day
It’s the only thing that ever really
Makes me wanna change
Your forgiveness
Is like sweet, sweet honey
On my lips (Yes, it is)
Like the sound of a symphony
To my ears
It’s like holy water…
Your forgiveness
Is like sweet, sweet honey
On my lips
Like the sound of a symphony
To my ears
It’s like holy water on my skin
It’s like holy water on my skin
It’s like holy water.