The Story of Jesus, Merry Christmas!

Today’s message is one that I realize is being posted during the Christmas Season. I am also aware that people read these posts all year through. To that I say, if reading in July for example, what a fun thing to listen to some “Christmas” music at some other time than Christmas. Of course, if you are reading this during the Holiday Season, then you will be right up for the songs. With that said, let us enjoy some worship time together.

There are a lot of songs that describe the night that Jesus was born. I can personally think of few that I enjoy as much as the following:

O’ Holy Night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWfuoAmBgEs


We have this nice word for the place they lay Jesus after he was born, we say manger. The reality of it is that a manger is a feeding troth. It was a place where they lay the food for the sheep, cattle and other animals. It wasn’t this nice comfortable place we sometimes think of. Yet, the King of Kings, the one who had just left Heaven, came to earth as a baby, to be put in the lowest of the low places. With a feeding troth for a bed, the King that would change the world would be lay.

Away in a Manger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA-WQ2KiYmY


Can you imagine being out in the dark, taking care of some business, maybe working on a third shift when suddenly some angels appear to tell you about some good news. I think I would have been like the shepherds, a little scared, heck, forget that, I would have been really scared.

Angels We Have Heard On High:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTzotMPpY60


It would later on become clear, the birth of Jesus was to be a joyous celebration. It would mean joy to the world.

Joy To The World:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpgaWm2pnNs


The following song is a song that is played throughout the year in many churches. That is okay, it is still in many ways a Christmas song. It recognizes the Son of God for what he is, Holy, Holy, Holy.

Holy, Holy, Holy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKmTdskCWPg


Let’s take part in one more song this morning for worship. It is an old tune with a new style. Some may say it is the most popular Christmas Carol of all time.

Silent Night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30o_QZnVBjA


This morning prior to taking a break, I want you to reflect on Christmas in the past. I can think of a variety of Christmas seasons as I was older that were special. A few years ago after leaving employment at Crossroads Clubhouse in Tulsa Oklahoma I was volunteering at my church as a pastor of Evangelism and Outreach. I had put money back to live on for about a year and a half, knowing it would take some time to find a paying job in the ministry. After a few months we had the terrible tragedy of September 11, 2001. It was during this time that I lost about two thirds of my investments.

As a young child I don’t really recall Christmas, there was just a lot of heartbreak and there were never many gifts. As a result I had decided that if I ever had children they would experience good Christmas times.

During the time at Westport Church as a volunteer it was during the Christmas season that I didn’t have anything to provide for my children. It hurt; it reminded me of my times as a youth. A few weeks prior to Christmas there was a service one Sunday morning where the pastors were presented with various gifts and Christmas bonuses. I have to admit, I was a little hurt when I was looked over. I saw pastors with good salaries getting gifts and bonuses to provide more for their families. This particular Christmas I had nothing. I wasn’t mad at anyone; I was just hurting for my family.

The next week was one of the best blessings of my life. I was at church again, and prior to the start of the sermon the pastor made mention that the church had made a terrible mistake. They had recognized all of their pastors but had failed to recognize another, me. It had taken several members of the congregation to remind the church of this. As a result of this they would take up an offering at the end of the service to give to me for my contributions to the church. There was also another dear lady of the church who is now deceased that came up to me and told me. “Mike we really appreciate all you have done for our church. I normally give my tithe to the church, but our church has more money than we know what to do with and we want to give you our tithe this month so that you can go out and buy your kids Christmas.” This dear lady who was on a social security income blessed me and helped me realize how God can provide, and how he can use people to accomplish his will. It was a Christmas that I thought my family would have nothing, and in reality, I learned a lot more about Christmas than I thought possible.

This morning, during our break, share some stories with each other. If you are at home reading this, call a family member, call a loved one and share some old Christmas stories with each other. After you are done sharing those memories, come back, sit down, read, think about, and enjoy the rest of today’s message.

This morning prior to the start of the service, I want you to watch a video, listen to the words, look at the images.

Mary Did You Know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejzynSKdNDs


When we think of Christmas, Do you ever think of what it cost? I’m not speaking about what it costs regarding the purchase of presents, I am speaking about what it costs in regards to the birth of the Christ child?

Many may not realize but today we are concluding a series that has taken us over 25 weeks, almost half a year. In the Back to the Basics Series we must remember that when looking at the basics of our faith, it starts and finishes with Jesus. Everything else regarding our faith is between the bookends of Jesus. There is a great deal of important things to be aware of, from prayer to sharing our faith, and from giving and tithing to reading our Bible, but it is all about Jesus and the dedication of our lives to him.

There is a particular passage I would like to look at today. While many will look at the text for today’s message and think of condemnation, I want to remind everyone that during this Christmas Season, the gift of God’s son was a gift out of love, a gift that sought relationship.

The text that many unfortunately use for condemnation messages is John 3:16. It is unfortunate because this text is in reality a text of love for the very creation God loves and seeks relationship with, humanity. Let’s look at that passage:

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (NASB)

When looking at this passage, we must realize that the message of Christmas starts before even the manger. We can see this from looking at another passage from the Bible.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.

We have to realize, Jesus was from the beginning of time, with God, he started his journey in Heaven. While we think that the journey may have started as a little babe born in a manger it isn’t so, he was in the beginning of time, with God.

When thinking of Jesus from the beginning, we should realize, there are angels who do nothing but worship him. In Heaven we read there are streets of gold. Imagine that in the current economy with Gold at around $1,000 an ounce, gold is used for asphalt in Heaven. Heaven is a place where there is everlasting Joy. We see other passages that refer to Jesus as he really is, the King of Kings. Despite the fact that Jesus was with God from the start, we have to also understand God loved his creation.

He loved despite the failures of his creation after sin entered the equation. In thinking about the creation we should remember God and able to create with a single word, possibly even with a single whisper. God saw all of his creation as good but He created us in his image and saw us as very good.

We tend to blame Adam and Eve for the messed up world we live in. Some may even blame them for the fact that Jesus had to come to earth but the reality is we still sin and rebel against God. We are just as guilty of rebellion against God as they. We need to realize, any and all sin condemns us to the need of salvation. All of us have sinned, we are all like Adam, and none are perfect.

God loves the world, His creation, but especially the people in the creation. So many churches get it wrong in the aspect of judgment. While there is judgment we must remember, the jest of Jesus birth, God’s gift was out of love. How so many who call themselves Christians can be so critical of the concept of love from God is astounding to me.

John 3:16 in part, in a agreement with the context of the entire Bible shows that Jesus birth, him leaving heaven to be born in a feeding troth among the poorest of the poor was a sacrifice of love for the people of the world. That’s right a feeding troth. We have put this nice word, manger on the title of the place Mary and Joseph lay Jesus, but in reality, it was a feeding troth in a place where animals eat, drank, and did every other thing you can imagine.

This does not change the fact that Jesus chose to identify, even from the point of birth with the poor, outcast, downtrodden, hurting, drug effected, abused, and this association showed how important they were. Christ being born in a condition they could relate to.

There are many passages in the Old Testament that talked about Jesus upcoming birth, as well as many passages in the New Testament such as Mary’s Magnificat, that illustrates how Jesus came especially for the poor, the needy, hurting, down and out. If Jesus would identify with, show love and opportunity for the lowest of what was considered to be the low, it was indication that his love was for the all of humanity. It was out of Love that Christ came to that manger.

At Christmas time we tend to think of the Christ child and the manger scenes, but I want to assure you, God knew when he gave his son what awaited his son. Jesus also knew when he was in the manger, what awaited him later on in life.

There was a reason God offered his Son Jesus up for a sacrifice and a reason Jesus accepted and stepped up to the challenge. It was in part because God has more for us. There is his love, a better life, hope and eternity, if we just believe.

On this concept of belief, please understand, belief is more than just belief. The Bible makes it clear even the devil believes, but he has no hope, won’t experience joy, and will certainly not be allowed into Heaven. We have to believe in such a way that we recognize and accept who Jesus is, recognizing who Jesus is, is in part, recognizing what he did.

We must recognize, Jesus lived a life without sin. He gave himself up to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus in essence became a substitute for us and accepted what we really deserved. He faced, challenged and conquered the cross when he resurrected from the dead which is what we celebrate at Easter.

We must realize that belief means asking Jesus to be our leader our forgiver, or as some state, our Lord and Savior. We have to be willing to publicly confess Jesus as the one and only son of God. We must recognize that we have sinned, done wrong. Now on this point, we need to understand, the 10 Commandments are still the 10 Commandments, not suggestions, not ideas, not concepts, but commandments. If we want to get detailed here we will also realize that Jesus actually complicated things.

Jesus in essence gave an extra 2 commandments; to love our Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But beyond these two additional commandments, Jesus even complicated the 10; we are told here, that if we look at someone and desire sex with them then we have committed adultery. If we become angry at someone, then it is the same as committing adultery. Then if we think we have it made here, we read in the book of Romans, we must obey the laws of man, and government, if they don’t have us go against God’s law. At that point, we are in trouble, because if we violate something as simple as speeding, then we are guilty of sin, or wrong doing before God.

There is a concept here that we have to understand, and that is God’s Holiness. So many ask the question, why would God send us to hell? Or they may ask, Why would God create us in such a way that we don’t have a chance. The answer to me is actually quite simple. God is so good, so full of love, so perfect so holy that by the very nature of his being, he can’t stand to be in the presence of sin. Imagine if you will a perfect glass of pure clean water. How much sewage or human excrement would you have to put in that water before you wouldn’t drink it, especially if another pure glass of water was next to you? I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t drink the contaminated water. Our sin, in the presence of God, contaminates the holiness and perfection of God. At this point, it would appear as if there is no hope.

There is no hiding from the fact that we need forgiveness for our sins. We can’t be good enough; there is nothing we can do on our own to make us deserving of being in the presence of God. It is at this point we need to realize that Jesus is the only way God can forgive us our sins. When we stand before God, when we have a relationship with God, he won’t see us, he will see his son and the relationship we have with his son. It will be Jesus who will advocate for us, who will ask God to forgive us our sins. Of course this comes at a cost to us, a minimal cost when all things are considered but our first step is in recognizing that we need forgiveness of sin. We ask God to forgive us, and then we ask Christ to come into our life. At this point, the Holy Spirit of God comes into our life. We then have the obligation to allow the Spirit to lead us and guide us. Once we receive Christ into our life, we are given a new life, one that provides the hope of eternity of being in Heaven plus so much more.

Now at this point, I could and some have rightly focused on the judgment and consequences of sin. Those things are all true, and not worth taking a chance on. Don’t get me wrong, there is a real hell, a real tormenting condition for all of eternity. While those things are real: we need to remember, that turning from our past, starting life over, serving and seeking leadership from Jesus is a love thing, not a hate thing.

Today, prior to the start of Christmas I want to provide opportunity for each of you to live in the fullness, not partiality, not in neglect, not less than, but in the fullness of what God has for you. Of all of those things, most importantly, is a relationship with Jesus, Do you know him? Are you confident in your relationship with him? Are you certain of Heaven and the hope provided through the forgiveness of sin offered by Christ?

If you want to experience this, you simply offer a prayer, and then state you are sorry, some call this repentance which is a 180 degree turn from sin and past bad behaviors and practices that go against Gods desire for you. Realize that while mistakes may be made, effort and a sincere heart to change have to be present.

Some of you reading this may already have experienced this at one point in your life. You may know Jesus, but somehow along the way forgotten or put on the backburner your relationship with Jesus? Are you willing to tell him you’re sorry, that you are willing to start over?

For some it may be your need to show others of your seriousness to the body of Christ, often called the church. Maybe you are willing to out of obedience make the commitment to do so by being baptized.

Baptism is a lot of things, one is an obvious outward showing to the world around you that you are now following Jesus and are taking your commitment to ministry seriously. You are willing to show of your willingness to commit your life, whether as a plumber, teacher, factory worker, or student, whatever to being as much like Jesus as possible to the world around you.

There is likely some this Christmas season that need to release the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God that is available to us to help us trying to be like Jesus to the world around us as much as possible. We all receive the Holy Spirit in our lives at the point where we ask Christ into our life or as some call the point of salvation, but there is a time some call the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, where we release the power of the Holy Spirit in our life. Realize here, we receive God’s Spirit in our life once we ask Jesus to come in and forgive us, but there is a time where we realize the Holy Spirit is there and a time for us to release that power. Here, we simply seek to do as the Holy Spirit guides. There is many views of the Holy Spirit, a lot of theology, for some there may be an indication of speaking in tongues or an unknown language, for others it may be something else, for all it will involve an effort and commitment to do as the Holy Spirit leads, understanding that it never contradicts the word of God, the Bible.

There may be others during this Christmas season that needs prayer; you may need someone to pray for illness, family difficulty, finances, or any other specific. For those the gift of Christ is also available for you.

For any of the needs above, you can always contact me either through the source of this article, or by emailing me at mike@thevirtualpew.com or via phone call to 316-258-3952. As a ministry, we really want to help and be there for you. For those in the Wichita Kansas area, there is Mosaic Church. If in another location around the United States or even around the world, there is The Virtual Pew at www.thevirtualpew.com which will help, but we want to when possible and if possible, plug you into a good church in your community. We will investigate those churches, do follow up with them to make sure they are doing there job and much more. The truth is, one of the things that distinguish this ministry from many others, is that we actually follow up with people where we can; we realize the value of each person to the Kingdom of God. It is a part of the commitment to ministry that we are involved in.

For each of us, no matter where we are at, whether in some need, or in good relationship with God, we should never forget, from the manger to the cross, The Blood and love of God for us, as shown through his son Jesus, is enough. The question is, if it is enough, do we avail ourselves to the thing in life we need the most, a relationship with the savior who was born in a manger, grew up without sin, died on a cross for our sins, and three days later rose from the dead and now sits with God in Heaven.

This year, may we all realize the ultimate gift, the gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ.

Father, help me, help us, keep our focus on your son, Jesus. Father, I ask that I can be more and more like Jesus each day. I pray that your Holy Spirit will use this message to speak to others about their life, and their relationship with you. I ask that each person will do as they need, whether continuing in their walk with you, or in their need to make a decision for you. I thank you and praise you for being the ultimate giver. In the name of Jesus I pray, and ask these things, Amen!

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God's Ultimate Love Letter and Instruction Manual

Thanks for coming to be a part of the worship and teaching series with The Virtual Pew and Mosaic Church today. It is always an honor knowing that people are choosing to get some of their teaching here. I am blessed and God is good. Let’s start off with worship this morning where we can be reminded of the time of year and the Savior we honor. While this is originally being written during the Christmas season, we need to all be reminded that the celebration of Christ birth can be celebrated all year through. Now let’s enter into worship, but first let me pray.

Father, thank you for all you have given us. I ask that your Holy Spirit Come, and that your Holy Spirit move as we worship you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

The following is not typically known as a worship song, but if we think about what it says, it easily becomes one.

Mary Did You Know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtsMYErtYBk


While the next two follow a little bit of a different format, they are both focusing on a theme that even the angels in Heaven understood and valued the ultimate gift that God was going to give us.

Angels We Have Heard on High
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTzotMPpY60


Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Sing-Along
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x17bT4Oy5z4


I am reminded of a man by the name of John Newton who understood the amazing grace offered by God through the gift of his son Jesus Christ. The following takes an old traditional hymn, and gives it new life. It is a tribute to a wonderful man, used by God to bring about a great deal of change in our world. God can use any of us if we allow him. Join in now in this wonderful rendition of Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone.

Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghZfnQxUhzQ


Dear God, you are such a wonderful God. You have given us so much. We see during this time of the year, the change of seasons. The Winter reminds me of death, the death that we all faced, yet in the middle of that death, we were given the hope of a savior, the hope of your son Jesus. What an amazing gift, the ultimate, perfect gift. Dear God, help me, help us, bring honor to that gift. When people want to look at me or we for an example, dear God, may they see the only true, the only perfect savior, may they see your son Jesus and only Jesus. It is in the perfect and holy name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

I would encourage others listening in today, or even those reading the message on line, take the time you need to honor God, to thank his Son, and ask for direction from his Holy Spirit. Take the time to praise God almighty, because God almighty deserves all of our praise. You may want to go back, play a particular song, and listen in silence to what God would have for you. Just listen to your heart and experience the goodness of God.

Now is the time to take a short break. You may want to get a cup of coffee, make a phone call to a friend or send an email to a family member, tell them you love them, tell them that you were thinking of them. Also remember that giving is an act of worship and there are many wonderful ministries seeking help to carry out their ministry. I encourage you that if you are a part of a local community church, support that church. If not or if God leads you to help another ministry, then seek out to bless those that have blessed you. Enjoy a break, then come back to enjoy todays message which will look at The Ultimate Love Letter of all Time.

There is a passage of scripture that I would like you to look at today.

2 Timothy 2:15
(15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (NASB)

There are all kinds of ways we can look at this passage, but I want to look at it in regards to the responsibility we all have in regards to what we call The Bible, and what I call, the Ultimate Love Letter and Instruction Manuel. There are several things that we are going to do today, and in order to do that I am going to ask you to go get a Bible, that’s right an old fashioned Bible and bring that back to the computer screen with you.

Hopefully you now have your Bible. The Bible is an incredible book it is a book that has so much more in it than many, even many within the religious community give it credit for. I will assure you there is intent behind looking up some of these verses but here is what I want you to do. I want you to go from one verse to the next, and find that verse as fast as you can. Once you find it, read the verse out loud. Ready to go, let’s do it!

John 3:16
Malachi 2: 1-4
Isaiah 36:12
Matthew 5:9
James 3:6
Ecclesiastes 8:5
1 Peter 2:11
Deuteronomy 28:27

Did you find each of those passages quickly? Were you surprised at what some of those passages spoke about? I will assure you, there are these stories and much more in Scripture that we don’t often think about. My point in part was to show and assure you that there is far more in the Bible than we give it credit for. There is a prescription for hemorrhoids, intrigue, murder, sex, horror, crime drama, csi stories and on and on. The Bible is filled with things that we can only imagine. It is sad how so many don’t know what is in the Bible, and how so many others don’t know the context of what is in the Bible.

I want to take a little different twist here and talk some about love stories. How many of you have ever been in love? Obviously I have been have been married to the same woman for going on 30 years now. There was a time when I was in love with others prior to our marriage, and there was a time I was in love with my wife long before we got married. For many of those you will recall aspects of the times you have been in love.

I remember the love letters, and tapes we would send back and forth when I was in college in Kansas and my then girlfriend was living in Tennessee. I remember on one occasion going out of the way and getting a cherry pie wrapper from McDonalds. In those days those wrappers had an opening on the front of the package. You could address the letter in such a way that you could use the package the pie came in for an envelope. I still have a lot of the letters and tapes my now wife sent me, and she has copies of tapes and letters that I sent her.

There are all kinds of things about love letters, they express your heart, there is an openness about them, there is a longing to be together, there is so much that is good. Most of you can likely think of many other things that are true about what is contained in love letters, now I want you to think of this. As a love letter to humanity, the Bible also has those types of things, and the ability to bring about those types of emotions, if we will but open it and read it. It is unfortunate but many of us say we love God, yet we are not excited about reading his love letter to us.

It is sad that we seldom think about what the Bible says, in fact, sometimes we hear things that we believe to be in the Bible but in reality they are not. Think about the following for example:

The Bible does not say, “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” neither does it say the following, “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” “God helps those who help themselves,” “There is none so blind as he who will not see,” “An idle mind is the devil's workshop” or that, “Money is the root of all evil.” As an example, the Bible does say that, “The Love of Money is the root of all evil.” There is a difference, and unless we read and know the Bible, we will get things wrong.

It isn’t only on the things we hear though; we need to have an understanding of what the Bible does say, for example, the Bible does say these things, but we have to know the context of what is said; "And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son." – 2 Kings 6: 28, 29, “Am I my brothers keeper?” – Gen. 4:9, “For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.”– Exodus 35:2, “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." – 1 Corinthians 15:33


Now it is a fact, that on the above, the Bible does in fact say each of those things, but to understand again, the context, the meaning and more is important.

I would personally encourage each person hearing this, or reading this to be involved in personal Bible study. In becoming involved in personal Bible study there are some things to take into consideration. For example, what time of day is best for you? Identify what that time is, for me it is normally earlier in the morning. Are you willing to be involved in your study on a daily basis? You should try, but if you fail, no big deal, start over the next day. One may ask how much one should study the Bible. As much as you have time to commit to. Remember though, if this is a love letter, treat it as something you in fact love.

There are other questions though, should you use various study helps? That depends; I prefer to personally do a part of my study with helps, others without. Sometimes it depends on where I am at. Sometimes the helps allow me to focus, sometimes they help direct me, I am reminded though, the helps are not the Bible, the Bible is the Bible, but the helps are simply what they state, helps.


There is another area to look at when reading or studying the Bible. Many will ask which translation or version to use. On this point, I will use as a resource an old time preacher that I still really like. J. Vernon McGee is dead now but his radio broadcasts can still be heard everyday on the radio. I recall him being asked this question when he was alive and I will never forget his response, it was simply, “The one you will read.”

Dr. McGee implied that the Holy Spirit, the helper that God has provided each of us, is certainly capable to help us all understand God’s word. While there are good and bad translations, the Holy Spirit has an ability to lead us all in the right direction. There are of course certainly translations or paraphrases I wouldn’t recommend, then again, there are paraphrases I certainly would recommend. Just this last week I went out and purchased a copy of The Message for a teen that needs a basic understanding of Scripture. I could go on here, and am certainly open to giving my views in more detail as to this specific question. For those wanting more information on my views here feel free to email me at the provided email address.

Now I want to also make clear, there are many reasons to read the bible including the following. The Bible is the world's best selling book, it is, has been, and will continue to be for a reason, once you open it, start reading it in a way you can understand, you will quickly find out why the Bible is the best selling book of all time.

As we start reading the Bible we will discover that Biblical faith is based on a historical event. From Sodom and Gomorrah to the destruction of Jericho, archeologists have simply proven history time and time again.

We can discover and will quickly realize that Jesus was a real person. It is good to look at the texts of his faith, and the teachings of Jesus. Once discovering what the Bible really says, it is hard to dispute its writings from a logical, and/or intelligent perspective.

After reading the Bible, and looking at its impact one will quickly see that the Bible message changes lives. From Chuck Colson to CS Lewis and from Michelangelo to Galileo lives have been changed. We will also see that the Bible is filled with real people and has real places. I think of the movie 300 as an example here. Xerxes for example was the evil ruler in that movie. Yet, when we read the book of Esther and the story of one night with the King, we realize, the movie got a huge part of Xerxes wrong.

We also should realize that the person of Jesus has dramatically affected history. Don’t believe it, write a check today, think about what it means when you write the date down for that check.

I have also come to realize that brilliant people believe the Bible to be true, this includes scientists and composers, educators and students. While many attempt to dumb down those who believe in the Bible, any effort at research will show that many intelligent and brilliant people have believed in and placed their life into God’s hands from what they came to understand from reading the Bible.

The Bible will also fulfill our deepest needs. I can’t begin to express the number of times that reading the Bible has helped me in a crises or particular difficult situation I am in.

The Bible is not only the worlds best selling book it is the world's most widely distributed book. It has been distributed to more countries, in more languages than any other book in history. It is also packed with the most exciting events. From great wars, to great examples of love, there are many stories of all types in the Bible.

I have come to also understand that what the Bible says makes sense. Despite what may will do to confuse the issue, to confuse the message of Christianity, the Bible makes sense. While many will look to those who practice what the Bible says to try and bring about discord, the Bible itself is actually very reliable, and does make sense if you read it contextually and with an understanding for what it is,” God’s Ultimate Love Letter and Instruction Manual.”

It is important to read the Bible because many people have died for their faith. Wouldn’t it only make some level of sense that if people are willing to die for their faith that we have some understanding as to why? I have learned that the worst part of knowledge surpasses the best part of ignorance any day. I want to be knowledgeable about any belief system that is so strong that people are willing to die for it.

The Bible has also survived the most sustained attacks in history. Despite those attacks, all of the above is still true, still sells a ton of copies, still has people dying for their beliefs related to the Bible, it is the Holy Book for two major religious groups, some would say three, and despite the attacks, it has survived.

I believe it also becomes clear from reading the Bible that we can see it is historically reliable. As mentioned above, many archeological truths have been proven as have other things from the Bible. While there are some things we don’t know about yet, that can also be said about many of the things that have been proven to be consistent with the teachings in the Bible in the last 100 years.

In closing today I would has, how has God used the Bible to help illustrate to you that it is his ultimate love letter, and instruction manual? Maybe you don’t know that to be the case, if not, open up the book. To quote another popular movie during the Christmas season, I triple dog dare you! If you do you will find out quickly that the Bible is in fact, all it is cracked up to be.

As we close out today, I want you to think about how awesome our God is. A popular Wichitan wrote the song Awesome God. Rich Mullins got it. We do serve an awesome God.

Awesome God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAHZwzXtXEQ


I want to thank each of you for taking part in today’s service, whether in person or on line. Dear God, thank you for each of these people whom you love so much. Lord, may each of us fall more in love with you today than we ever thought possible. May we fall in love with you so much that we want to read your love letter to us over, and over again? I know your Holy Spirit will be there to help us understand it, I thank you for that. Lord, bless each of these people have taken part in this service. May they go through their week with strength and with power? Protect us; use us in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

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Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

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Worship in Life Online Church Service

Today I want to do something a little different, today, we are going to have the message first, then we will have worship. For those looking at this at various times of the year, I will remind you this message was presented the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

One of the great film producers of all time is Stephen Spielberg. Spielberg has presented films laced with spiritual truth. The following is a clip from one of my favorite Spielberg films.

The Film is Schindler’s List

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXgPSquZfI0


When I watch the above clip I can’t help but think of the following passage of scripture.

Matthew 10:7-8
(7) As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' (8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Oscar Schindler literally bought these people so they could be saved from their oppressors. He did so at a great cost, and yet as the movie portrays, he didn’t think he had done enough. At the end of the movie, we see Schindler going to get into his car and he realizes he could have sold his car, and liberated and freed several more Jewish families. That seems to be the way it is with those who love to give, they feel as if they have never given enough.

We who have this amazing gift of life should worship the one who gave it to us and then share it. It is a gift we should want to give to others because it is the most valuable of all gifts. Do you live life in such a way people can see that you follow and serve a God bigger than you?

Let’s look at one of the ways we are to use our lives with others.

Matthew 5:16
Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.

All of us who follow Jesus need to realize that our life is a light, but only a reflection of the ultimate light, Jesus. As an example here we can look at our solar system. The sun is the one which gives light. No other aspect of our solar system allows us to see light except through the reflection of the sun. Of course there are other stars at night which have some measure of light but let’s look at the closest entity to our planet, the moon.

How much light does the moon produce on its own? The answer should be obvious, the moon produces no light, but during the night, it appears at time bright because it reflects the light of the sun. We need to realize our lives should also be a reflection, but not of the sun, but the son.

Others observe our actions, our words. Have you ever stopped to think about what they hear or see? This does not mean they will agree with everything they will hear or see, but there will be consistency with the truth of Jesus as we can see from the Bible.

Let’s look at another passage that can help illustrate this point.

Psalm 43:2-4 –
(2) I run to you for protection. Why have you turned me away? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad? (3) Send your light and your truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your house on your sacred mountain. (4) Then I will worship at your altar because you make me joyful.
You are my God, and I will praise you. Yes, I will praise you as I play my harp.

From this I can see that for each of us, the light of God in our life, leads us to worship, which then produces joy.

This concept of running to someone or something is illustrated in other places in the Bible. Can anyone think of another illustration of running to? The one I think of right off the bat is the story of the prodigal son. In this story we see an indication of a willingness to change, recognition of mistakes made, we see in essence, repentance.

In the story of the prodigal son we see a good Jew who takes the inheritance from his father, goes out on his own and squanders everything away. It is only when doing the most disposable job possible for a Jew, feeding and taking care of pigs that he realizes his father provided more for his servants than he was getting. It was then he decides to return home, ask for forgiveness, and ask his father if he can become one of his servants. A wonderful contemporary telling of this is in the movie The Gospel. The need to realize our mistakes is something we all have to experience at one time or another in our life.

As I look at the above passage, I am challenged, is there is honesty in our relationship with God. Notice the author shares the bad he is not afraid to question his reality and life experiences at the moment, yet in the honesty, is recognition that God is the one who guides us. Out of honesty we see a willingness to run towards God, and then come worship, and as a result joy. I would also note here that musical instruments were a part of the experience, as is praise.

Now another passage.

2 Corinthians 4:5-7
(5) We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. (6) The Scriptures say, "God commanded light to shine in the dark." Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.

(7) We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.

Again, for all of us following Jesus, we need to realize that our life is not ours; our life is for Jesus and is to be a reflection of him. Our lives are an act of worship in the way we serve others. I am reminded by Jesus own words, “when we serve the least of these, it is as if we have served Jesus.” I am also reminded that Jesus said that of all of the commandments the greatest was to love God with all of our hearts, soul, mind and spirit, and our neighbor as ourselves. The concept of loving others is directly correlated to loving God.

When we live to share Jesus with others, we represent Jesus, when we represent Jesus, we shed light in dark places, and this is an act of worship. The concept of our life, our message was taught by Jesus, we serve others. We are not better than Jesus in any way, and yet, he took up the towel, became as a servant and served those he came into contact with.

There are two points here I would like to point out. First, our light is to shine in dark places. Those are places where it is godless if you will, or with people who don’t know Jesus. While this is a challenge for many, it is also reality. Jesus and the New Testament use a lot of allegory in this area. The bottom line, is that light is of little or no value unless it is penetrating dark places, including the dark places of life. Our lives are light because God is in our life, and our life should represent Jesus.

The second area I get from the above passage is we have to be willing to let our lives be broken and molded like clay jars. Today, likely only potters get this concept. In the days the above words were written, the concept of pottery being broken and reformed was something that was a common practice. Our lives, may at times get cracks, we may be in need of being remolded, at those times, life is broken like the clay of a pot. It is then reformed into something beautiful, something useful. I love the concept that our lives are like a vessel where God can store treasure. God has the power to fill our lives with valuable treasure, treasure that can have an impact on reaching others.

Now please understand on this concept of living our lives as a servant, as if we were a reflection of the light of the son to the rest of the world. No one said this was easy, but it is again, an act of worship that the more we practice it, becomes easier. Giving of our lives to serve, to be light in dark places is an act of worship because it is something God appreciates and values. Being light in a dark world is a reflection of taking God to the very people he came and died for. He longs for, desires eternal relationships with people. He can only do that if we as his people, are willing to take that message to the people who need to hear it.

Now at this time we are going to take a short break. Get a cup of coffee, call someone, tell them you love them, maybe send an email. Then I also want you thinking of how you can be a light to someone who don’t have a relationship with Jesus. When you come back, we will enter into worship, but I also want you thinking about how you can give of your time and money. It is a joy to worship God with what are called tithes and offerings. Essentially, if you are a part of another church, give to that church, if not, find a ministry that has touched you, and is sharing Jesus with others, then find a way to support that ministry with both time and money as it is time and money that allow these ministries to operate.

Let’s pray, Father, thank you for the fact that some people are reading this, thank you that it has challenged some to use their life as a act of worship. Lord I ask that as people give of their time and money that you will bless them, and bless the ministry they are supporting. I also ask your blessings on them. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Now after your short break, let’s enter into some worship with some great videos. Now another short prayer, Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit Move, Amen!

It is the time of year that we need to think about the willingness of God to come to earth to give us the ultimate gift, it was a sacrifice for our sin, our wrongs, it is a reminder of the sacrifices we can make. As opposed to focusing on the sacrifice though, we can also focus on the joy.

Joy To The World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpgaWm2pnNs


We serve a powerful God. He is one that formed the mountains, but there is a tremendous analogy there.

Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3oIJCsRos8


I realize that for many, it is hard to think of this concept of becoming a servant, or being a light in dark places. We maybe don’t have an attitude of worship in the way we live our lives. I always appreciated this next song for that reason.

Change My Heart Oh God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjUvoynGMM


Jesus did so much for us, we see that at best when he left the awesomeness of Heaven and came to earth, to be born in a feeding troth, as a poor man to a poor family. Jesus in many ways, even in the way he was born showed his love for the common person. Let’s think about that as we participate in the next couple of songs.

O Holy Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWfuoAmBgEs


Silent Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30o_QZnVBjA


One of my favorite reformers was St. Francis of Assisi. One of the things he said was to preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words. Sometimes we get so preoccupied with words that we really don’t think of the importance of our lives. Today, as we close let’s think of the words of this next tune as we sing along.

Let My Words Be Few
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12z4dvc2kjo


Now my prayer for each of you, Dear Father God, thank you for what you have done for me in my life. Lord, I ask that your Holy Spirit will constantly remind me of my own need to be a reflection of your light to the world around me. Lord, may my life be an act of worship for you that shows the gentleness and love from the Son. Lord God, I ask that you will be blessed, and I ask your blessings on each person reading and participating in this posting today. I ask your blessings on them because I know how much you love them. Thank you for that love you gave me, I am grateful. In Jesus most holy and perfect name I ask these things, Amen!

Click Here to Go to The Virtual Pew Daily Verse and Read The Bible in a Year Passages

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Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information

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Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

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Worship in Song

Today’s worship order was largely selected by Jason Hendry from the band Jeremiah Foundation. Thanks to Jason and his wife Katie who have contributed and been a part of helping with worship at Mosaic.

Today is a good day! I am so grateful I experienced the day where I saw the light of Jesus in my life. Let’s all think about the light of Jesus as we watch and sing with the song by old time great, Hank Williams Sr. As a reminder, just click on the videos below, if the video don’t appear, just click on the link.

I Saw The Light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL3Dp0CBJwE


I love that old song. I remember living in Tulsa and going to the Caines Ballroom where many greats like Hank Williams used to play. I don’t know if he ever had any idea of the longevity of that song when he wrote it and performed it.

There are other wonderful new artists that are searching for spiritual truth, despite what we think of them. One of the most recent is Sinead O’Conner with the following song.

Thank You For Hearing Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPH4_DDDz8Q


I am so grateful that the creator of the universe chose to have a relationship with me through his son Jesus. We truly do serve a great God.

How Great Thou Art

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhLgOLGVG0U


God is an incredible God. We often think we have to say so much, but the truth is, sometimes just to silently pray, just to contemplate the goodness and reality of God is enough. The times just between God and you can be an incredible time. Let’s each of us make the following tune a tune where we contemplate the goodness of God.

Let My Words Be Few

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12z4dvc2kjo


Father thank you for all you have done for us, you deserve all of our worship, all of our praise. In Jesus name, Amen!

We are going to take a break right now, use this few moments to stretch, call someone, tell them you love them and appreciate them, maybe even send an email. Get a nice beverage of your choice come back and enjoys the rest of the message. I would like to remind you though, if a part of a church or ministry, you have a responsibility to joyfully give in worship both in time and finance to that ministry. If you are not a part of a larger ministry or church, pray and consider who God would have you help and support. God don’t have to, but he chooses to use you and your willingness to help others as a way for you to show him how much you love him. Give of your time and money with a joyful heart in this act and means of worship.

Father I ask that as we look at today’s message that you will give us ears to hear what you would have us hear. Father may your Holy Spirit come, may your Holy Spirit move, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

For the folks that know me, they know how much I love music, but not just a particular style but virtually all styles. I can actually think o very few styles of music that I don’t like. Today we are going to look at music in the area of worship. But I would like to look first at music, and in particular my own musical taste over the years.

I think most of us have a real appreciation of music that is based in part on our youth. Depending on your age, you may have an appreciation for Elvis Pressley, maybe Madonna, possibly Jefferson Airplane or a country fan who likes the likes of Garth Brooks or even a George Jones. As for me, I have a great appreciation of those I grew up listening to.

Among those were many of the classic artists, artists such as, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, The Who, Led Zeppelin, BTO, Nazareth, AC/DC, and many others. I figure they call that music classic for a reason, because it was and still is.

In enjoying the music of your youth, have you ever felt like Christians would you have to listen to “their” music and forget the styles that you appreciate?

I grew up listening to some great songs as I said earlier, I would like to rekindle some of those memories. There was Nazareth, see if you remember this song?

Love Hurts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2BjJbKQkgc


I appreciated that song because sure enough, love did hurt, I was looking for love and few expressed the concept of love hurting more than Nazareth did with that song.

I of course was always a Rock N Roller. Few songs expressed the concept of Rock N Roll as well as the classic Rock N Roll band of all time, Led Zeppelin.

Rock N Roll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS-JtX-v33Q


As I mentioned earlier, there was some of those songs from some of those bands that were not only putting out classic songs, but were being put out by classic bands that have endured the test of time. This following song is a song that was like a lot of songs in the style, it had as a point of focus things that many Christians had issues with, but they still found a way to reach out, grab and entertain those listening to the music. The following is one such song by the band Aerosmith.
Walk This Way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0DTPHql_18


As much as I enjoyed the music, bands and time of my youth. I never imagined that I would one day get to do some limited work with one of the bands I grew up with. This is a classic band I was blessed to spend some time with when I worked with The Rob Cassels Band. A song I know many old Rock N Rollers still enjoy. Steppenwolf and John Kay is still playing music, still playing in fact not only new songs but the following anthem.

Born To Be Wild

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbATaj7Il8


There were many other bands I enjoyed, another fellow I got to work with now plays one of the most famous guitar riffs in the history of music. Steve Morse now plays with Deep Purple, and while this is the older version of this song. I have seen Steve now play this several times, and while I haven’t had the joy of playing it with him. I have played this on my bass guitar many times.

Smoke on the Water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG47FWl94yQ


This gives a good idea of what I grew up with. It is likely now that some Christians are blasting away because I shouldn’t even dare to post music like this. Well there was a reason I had issue with Christianity, to not allow me to enjoy the musical style I grew up with was a very difficult thing for me to endure, but you know what, it is a difficult thing for most new Christians to endure.

I’ll never forget getting saved, coming to call Jesus my Leader and Forgiver, my Lord my Savior, then I got to the point where I come to understand that my style of music would have to change. No longer would I be allowed to listen to, enjoy music like that above, but now I would have to go through my life listening to the music of the church. Instead of a Rock N Roller, I would be expected to become a Holy Roller and listen to the likes of the following:

Shall We Gather At The River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8-zq96niqs


To say the least, I was hurting. From Aerosmith, Janis Joplin, music with class to a musical style like this. I didn’t know if I would make it. Then, after a few encounters of really struggling, even attempting suicide, I had a youth pastor that showed me something else. It wouldn’t take long before I realized there was a style of Christian music that would touch me, give me hope. Thankfully God Gave me music that touched my soul. The following was the first song that I heard that gave me this hope. It was on an album titled In Another Land by an artist named Larry Norman.

Rock That Doesn’t Roll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAuvq5eduJQ


Over the years, as I have grown older I come to understand the style of music I listen to is not as important as the attitude of my heart when I am listening to it. In this process of growing however, I learned that the style that touches our heart, can, and will touch God’s heart because it is coming from our heart. In other words, God would allow, even encourage the use of certain styles that had touched me.

We all need to remember; that when it comes to music, one person’s style may not be ours, but it does not change its validity. I firmly believe that God loves everything from Bach to BTO, and from Loretta Lynn to Led Zeppelin. Some of us need to accept this also includes styles from Taylor Swift to Snoop Dog. That isn’t to say necessarily the bands or artists like those mentioned above, but stylistically, God don’t have favorites. He loves it all if it gives glory and praise to him.
As we begin to explore the use of music in worship, let’s look at several passages from the Bible.

Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

1 Kings 22:19
This host or mass of persons are the angels: "Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left

Revelation 5:8
After he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders knelt down before him. Each of them had a harp and a gold bowl full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.

Luke 2:8-14
That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, "Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay."
Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: "Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God."

When looking at the above passages, I have come in part to the conclusion that music has been touching God since before the creation of Adam.

Angels were created prior to creation of humans and the earth. While we don’t know how long they were around prior to the creation of humanity we know they were from various books in the Bible like Job. We have to understand, God created the angels and many of them, prior to humans, to worship him through, music and song.

On this point of creation, we as followers of Jesus have to remember, God is the creator and the truth of it is Satan never created anything. Regarding the styles of music, we have to get over the style issues. While styles have changed over the years, nothing touches God more than the attitude of the heart! The things that touch our heart in regards to music, if coming from real emotion, and from deep within our souls, will touch and bless God as it is an indication of our love.

We clearly know and can see how much God appreciates music by his creation. This is true not just in music, but also in voice. In this process there are some things we can understand from looking at the Bible.

Psalm 95:1, 2
O COME, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!

Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!

One of the things that should be clear here is we don’t have to be talented to sing songs or play music. God accepts a joyful noise. Now don’t get me wrong, God appreciates talent and ability. We see that in his directives, and instruction regarding craftsmanship and desire that the best be offered as a sacrifice. While that is clear through several passages in the Bible, we can also see that God also enjoys the gift of noise that comes out of joy.

There is another area that can be addressed in regards to our style of worship, whether through the playing of music or our singing. We need to look at the area of silence, because the truth is, many will find ways to be silent in worship, they won’t sing, they won’t participate. It is here that I want to challenge you on something; nowhere in scripture do we see that God enjoys our silence when it comes to worship, other than in issues of prayer, and meditation. It is clear, in areas of music and worship, God prefers noise over silence.

Everyone is encouraged to sing songs and participate in the worship experience, no matter what style you prefer. While some will pretend to know God’s favorite style, I will assure you, few on this planet sing or participate in any worship style that existed in the early days of creation. There are no exceptions to the wishes of God, everyone is encouraged to sing songs, and make a joyful noise, no matter what the style. God enjoys all kinds of music as long as it comes from the heart. This includes both vocal and instrumental.

Many Christians have assumed that any music that is not vocal in origin is not appropriate worship to God. This is simply not true since even in the early days of the prophets and patriarchs, as well as indication from scripture with the angels, there are times of strictly instrumental music. God enjoys the gifts of the heart, even gifts that are used just to give praise. While not everyone can understand this, a musician can certainly understand that the playing of music can be an act of worship. While it may not seem like an appropriate comparison, I think it is, think of the story contained in the Christmas cartoon and song, Little Drummer Boy. The little drummer boys desire to play for the new born king was in fact an act of worship.

As a struggling musician, I have learned that the playing of my instrument can be an act of worship. Because I also value music, I have learned to worship with not just vocal music, but instrumental music. This opens up my worship experience to not just being encouraged to worship by Christians, but everyone God has gifted. True Worship moves us towards God, not focused on ourselves.

We worship God for various reasons. One is because he deserves it, he is God. Another is so we can give him the praise for all he has done. When we give God what he deserves, it improves the relationship between us.

We know God loves music, both vocally, and musically, so we learn to give out of our own love. As we give, it blesses and pleases God, as we bless and please him he respond to us by blessing and giving back.

Now on a closing note, I think one last thing to understand, is that today the aspect was specific to music, there is more than just music involved in the worship of God, there is prayer, becoming as a child, and the way we live. As to how the way we live being an act of worship? More on that subject next time.

In closing today, let’s close with another worship song. Feel free to join in.

Never Let Go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jHrbXEcee8


Thank you God, I thank you for those who have joined in today. May we all be reminded of our need to worship through music. I ask you to bless all of those who have participated with this message. I ask you to continue to help me in this area, let my life, let my music and my song be an act of worship that is pleasing to you. Bless us all now as we go from here. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

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