Salvation

O LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.

In that day they will say,
"Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." (Isa. 25 NIV)

This past weekend I traveled out of state to visit my parents, sisters, and their families. In the process of the weekend visit I was thinking about an upcoming worship series at our church that, in part, talks about the end times. And I was grieving for the selfishness and pain and sorrow in our world.

While I know that all these things are the norm in a "bent" world (CS Lewis's term), I also know that they will be eliminated only after Christ's return and the start of the New Heaven and New Earth. In the meantime, there are millions of people languishing in sin, sorrow, selfishness, and without the trust in Christ for their future. Would you join me in praying for their salvation?

God,

O LORD, you are our God; We will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

You said you want to draw all people to you - that you want all to be saved from eternity without you. We claim that promise for these loved ones and friends that we name now ....

....for my cousin and her family - that they would know Jesus as the Messiah they have awaited

...for my uncle, aunt, and cousin - that they would come back to the Truth, Way, and Life you offer

...for my relative whose "fruit" is destructive in the family - replace that heart of stone with a heart for your love alone and let it then flow out to bless the family

... We pray that your salvation would spring up within them, that they would be drawn by your Spirit into your arms of love. We pray they would accept this gift of grace you offer to them and trust you for their salvation, their purpose, their healing, and their abundant life lived in you. We pray they would then rejoice in their salvation and live lives pleasing and honoring to your Kingdom. Lord Jesus, it's in your name we pray....Amen.

"To the Ends of the Earth"

Love unfailing

Overtaking my heart

You take me in

Finding peace again

Fear is lost in all You are

And I would give the world

To tell Your story

'Cause I know that You've called me

I know that You've called me

I've lost myself for good

Within Your promise

And I won't hide it

I won't hide it

Jesus I believe in You

And I would go

To the ends of the earth

To the ends of the earth

For You alone are the Son of God

And all the world will see

That You are God

That You are God

Tonight's blog/prayer entry is simply based on Isaiah 66:

¹This is what the Lord says:

Heaven is my throne.
The earth is my footstool.
Where can you build a house or resting place for me?
²I have made all these things.
“That is why all these things have come into being,”
declares the Lord.
I will pay attention to those
who are humble and sorry for their sins
and who tremble at my word.

¹⁸Because of their actions and their thoughts,
I am coming to gather the nations of every language.
They will come and see my glory.
They will tell about my glory among the nations.

²²“The new heaven and earth that I am about to make
will continue in my presence,” declares the Lord.
“So your descendants and your name
will also continue in my presence.
²³From one month to the next and from one week to the next
all people will come to worship me,” declares the Lord. (Isa. 66 GW)

Great Big God,

Hear our prayers of confession ... forgive our sins...free us from our sinful nature. We join with all of heaven and believers on Earth in proclaiming your glory, your grace, your salvation. You said you are coming for us, and we believe, Lord! We claim your promises and stand on the truth of your Word. Gather us and all believers in all times and places into unity for your Kingdom. May your children rise up and worship you wholeheartedly. We pray for those in our world who need to come to salvation, who need your healing, your freedom, your love, your power. We pray especially for those who are far, far away from you and pray that by your Spirit you would draw them into your arms, break their hearts of stone, and give them hearts for you alone. Help us to be light-bearers and truth-speakers and love-givers in our local world and in the greater world beyond our community. Give us courage to go to the ends of the earth with the good news of salvation in Jesus. In his name we pray, Amen.

"You Said"

You said

Ask and you will receive

Whatever you need

You said pray and I'll hear from heaven

And I'll heal your land

You said

Your glory will fill the earth

Like water the sea

You said

Lift up your eyes

The harvest is here

The kingdom is here

You said

Ask and I'll give the nations to you

O Lord that's the cry of my heart

Distant shores and the islands

Will see Your light as it rises on us

Oh Lord I ask for the nations...

You Said - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEpaG4VlBcA

© 1998 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)

by Reuben Morgan

To the Ends of the Earth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPpvuFNoOjQ

- Joel Houston & Marty Sampson 2002 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)

Easter: So What? OR Salvation Spring Up

"Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10).

"I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18).

"Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them." (Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:2).

"It's Easter. So what?" our pastor said yesterday. I wonder how many non-church people thought that. I was driving between church & home about 9:15 a.m. and saw two different people out jogging. Perhaps they'd already been or were planning to go to church, but it seemed strange to think of not being in church on Easter.

Last week my best friend from 5th-10th grade contacted me on Facebook and wanted to be my "friend." Being somewhat curious as to whatever happened to her, I said yes. Then I got to looking around her FB posts, which led me to other "friends" of hers on FB - some of whom I was in high school with and I've long since lost touch with.

Twenty years later the 41 of us in our class have, as expected, traveled different life paths. Inferring (or judging) from the FB posts of some of them, they are not Christians, or at least aren't living a life of Salt & Light. One's FB talks about Buddha....another going out drinking to forget the ex-spouse...but another surprises me by putting "He Is Risen!" up as a post. "Easter. So what?" could very well be what some of them had been thinking. [Insert all appropriate disclaimers to what I don't know, how God sees things, what may be going on behind the scenes....]

The reason I bring this up is because I have been wondering lately about who we will see in heaven. I spent 13 years of my life with most of the kids I graduated with. But will they be in heaven?

Several months ago I began to pray over my children the "31 Biblical Virtures to Pray for Your Kids" by Bob Hostetler. The Isa. 45:8 and Charlie Hall's song "Salvation" has been my prayer - that Christ's salvation would "spring up" in my children so that I would someday see them in heaven.

And now I have a new 'burden' - for people whose lives my life path has crossed but are not living a life of love in the grace and peace of Jesus Christ. I'm not sure what to do, except pray, but I do hope I will see them in heaven.

God, we know you want to gather all your children to yourself. We know you came to seek and save the lost and your heart aches for those who reject you. You said you came to give the abundant life in Christ and we praise and thank you for that gift. But today our prayer is for those who do not yet know you.

Salvation, spring up from the ground
Lord, rend the heavens and come down
Seek the lost and heal the lame
Jesus, bring glory to Your name

Let all the prodigals run home
All of creation waits and groans
Lord, we've heard of Your great fame
Father, cause all to shout Your name

Stir up our hearts, Oh God
Open our spirits to awe who You are
Put a cry in us so deep inside
That we cannot find the words we need

We just weep and cry out to You*

By your Spirit, draw your loved ones to you. Use us for your glory so that when every knee bows and every tongue confesses you are Lord, there is no one missing. Seek the lost; heal the lame; we wait in expectation for the fulfillment of your promises. In the strong name of Christ we pray. AMEN

* (by Charlie Hall (c) 2000 worshiptogether.com songs)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqSNDWC2yn8

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px2dDZO2WZ4

To seek and save the lost

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”  Luke 19:10 NIV

You're the Word of God the Father

From before the world began

Ev'ry star and ev'ry planet

Has been fashioned by Your hand

All creation holds together

By the power of Your voice

Let the skies declare Your glory

Let the land and seas rejoice

With the multitude in heaven, we cry out:

   "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 
   "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"  (Rev. 7:10, 12 NIV)

Yet You left the gaze of angels

Came to seek and save the lost

And exchanged the joy of heaven

For the anguish of a cross

With a prayer You fed the hungry

With a word You stilled the sea

Yet how silently You suffered

That the guilty may go free

Thank you that you came to seek and save us, the Lost.  Thank you for enduring the cross for us.  Thank you for freeing us from guilt, shame, skubalon, and sin that we may live the abundant life you call us to. 

With a shout You rose victorious

Wresting victory from the grave

And ascended into heaven

Leading captives in Your wake

Now You stand before the Father

Interceding for Your own

From each tribe and tongue and nation

You are leading sinners home*

God, we cry out today for those who are lost and captive. 

We pray, loving Spirit, for you to call out to those who do not yet know you as Lord; may they soon trust fully in your promises.  

We pray for places in this world where those who live the Gospel are persecuted; may your strength and power encourage your children. 

We pray for those who are lost in a sea of fear, upheaval, grief, ignorance, directionless-ness, busyness, and distraction; may your sweet voice speak peace and focus into their lives.

We pray for those who do not have the basic necessities of life - clean water, nutritious food, basic medical care, a safe home, and especially love. 

We pray for all the lost in this world, in whatever kind of "lost" they may be, and pray that you would not only intercede for them, Jesus, but lead them - lead us - home.  May Lakeshore be a place where Lost people come home to.  May we join the company in heave proclaiming the salvation of our God!  Amen, praise, honor and glory be to you!

Amen.

*"Across The Lands"

CCLI Song No. 3709898

© 2002 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Keith Getty | Stuart Townend

A God who comes to save

When darkness falls and sorrow finds me

This joy I know comes in the morning

When all seems lost and strength is fading

This hope I've found is everlasting, everlasting

Now faith is here and strength is rising

This grace You've shown is so amazing, so amazing

Our God has come to save

He holds us in His hands

His promise will remain

His Kingdom has no end

God has come God has come*

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  (Romans 12:12 NIV)

Messiah, the God who saves, thank you for the gift of life which you pour into us.  Thank you for our blessings, both known and unknown.  Thank you for your presence and promise in the midst of darkness, trials, and lost-ness. God of hope who fills us with all joy in our believing, we pray that you will encourage us with hope today -- hope for life, for our families, friends, and neighbors, for marriages, and for those lost and far from you.  We pray you would give us patience to endure the trials we face.   May our faith in you be strengthened and our prayers be heard and answered.  In the strong name of Christ.  Amen

*"God Has Come"

CCLI Song No. 5198098

¬© 2008 Integrity's Hosanna! Music 

by Glenn Packiam

A new year

Yahwah

Abba Father

Jehovah Jireh

Prince of Peace

Wonderful Counselor

Almighty God

Dancing Trinity

Divine Love,

As we enter a new year, help us to have the faith and endurance of Simeon.  May we be righteous and devout, patient in our waiting for things of the Kingdom, and obedient when we are moved by the Spirit.  May we burst into praise, recognizing Your fulfillment of promises.  May we see your salvation offered to all people.  Mostly, Lord God, we pray your Holy Spirit would be upon us as it was Simeon.  

Maranatha, Lord Jesus come....

Amen

 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to dofor him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 

 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, 
      you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 
    31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 
 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles 
      and for glory to your people Israel."  (Luke 2 NIV)