There’s an old song that my daddy taught me when I was young. Any time I think of the words or hear someone sing it, I can hear daddy’s voice in my head. I can hear the specific way that his fingers hit the strings of his guitar when he plays it. This song comforts me more and more the older I get:
“Oh, Lord you know I have no friend like you. If Heaven’s not my home, then, Lord, what will I do….
Jim Reeves, “This World is Not My Home”
“This world is not my home. I’m just a-passin’ through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me to Heaven’s open door. And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
There’s some good theology and better advice in those words: this world was never meant to be home for us! It reminds me of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:20: “…our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”.
If you are struggling this week with earthly things – governments and people and things, be reminded that this world is not home. Be reminded that God is still on His throne and that He does not need anyone’s consent to stay there – it’s His forevermore.
And that’s what we are singing about this week: the hope that comes from our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Rescuer – the Great I AM – who has always reigned and will continue to reign forever because He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. We can trust in Him and not fear anything, even the grave, because He has already won!
Here are our songs:
- Psalm 103:1-12
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
- Rescuer
Scripture References/Inspiration for the Song: Titus 3:4-5, Jude 25, Romans 6:17-19, Romans 6:1, Psalm 52:9, Isaiah 61:1, Romans 5:6-8, Luke 15:10, Ephesians 2:4-5, John 15:13-15, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 34:22, John 14:6, Romans 6:6-7, Psalm 56:11, Luke 18:13, Galatians 1:3-4, Ephesians 1:7, Titus 2:14
- Great I Am
Scripture References/Inspiration for the Song: Psalm 73:28, Philippians 3:20, 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, Revelation 5:9-13, Psalm 113:1, Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8, 1 Samuel 2:2, Revelation 5:4-6, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 11:17, Exodus 3:14, John 8:58, Psalm 145:18, 1 John 3:16, 1 John 4:13-18, Proverbs 8:13, Psalm 119:63, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Isaiah 64:1, James 2:19, Luke 8:31-33, Luke 10:17, Psalm 76:7
- Revelation 17:14
14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
- Revelation 19:11-16
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
- Forever Reign
Scripture References/Inspiration for the Song: Psalm 73:1, Nahum 1:7, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:16, John 1:4-5, John 8:12, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:24, Deuteronomy 33:27, Luke 15:20, Ephesians 2:4-5, Proverbs 3:15, Philippians 4:6-7, John 14:6, Philippians 4:4, Habakkuk 3:18, Psalm 13:6, Job 23:11-12, Psalm 16:2, Romans 1:19-20, Colossians 2:9-10, Matthew 28:20, Psalm 138:1, Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-11
- Ain’t No Grave
Scripture References/Inspiration for the Song: John 8:34, Romans 6:6, 1 John 4:8, 1 Chronicles 28:20, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 1 Corinthians 15:50-56, John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:9, Genesis 3:15, Ephesians 6:11-18, Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, 2 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 2:14, Revelation 5:5, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
- (invitation) There Was Jesus
Scripture References/Inspiration for the Song: Colossians 1:15-21, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 51:7-8, Hebrews 13:8, John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:1-5, Hebrews 11:9-14, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 23, Isaiah 43:2, Revelation 1:8
I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!
If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.
Just Keith Harris 