battling unbelief part 1

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it's shadow I shall run
Till He completes the work begun
Till He completes the work begun

One day all things will be made new
I'll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I'll praise your faithfulness of old
I'll praise your faithfulness of old

Keith & Kristyn Getty
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

What a powerful song. I can recall several moments in my life when I have reached my emotional rock-bottom, praying to God in humility and confession and deprecation to grant me just the peace to sleep through the night and wake up to battle the emotional and spiritual storm I was facing at that time during my life. And he did. And my circumstances didn't magically change. The problems didn't go away. But there came a point when I realized that if I really believed the gospel, if I really placed my faith and hope in Christ, if I really believed all the songs I'd sung and sermons I'd heard -- if I really believed that Jesus Christ endured the shame, excruciating pain, torment, agony, suffering, bleeding, and death of the cross -- if I really believe in that God, then I would be a fool to think that his grace was not sufficient to see me through my problems--problems that are pitifully insignificant in light of the awesome weight of the sin of all mankind.

How often do we really consider the fact that our trials are God's hand completing his work begun in us? Do we count treasures from the darkness? Do we really believe that in the pain, God draws near? Do we make the cross central in our lives to such a degree that even in the most obscure or complicated problems, simple annoyances or life-altering tragedies, disappointments or failures we can be found remembering the gospel? I fear that all too often it is quite the opposite. Rather than celebrating our trials as evidence for the triumph of the cross and testimony of the faithfulness of God, we would rather question him, tell him he has forsaken us -- our spirits of thankfulness ceases and we forget the promise that every morning his mercy will be made new.

May we always seek the wisdom of God and his love in Christ during our times of trouble. May we carry on with the faith that he has called us to sacrifice, that he is making us holy, and that he will draw near to grant a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Essential Element of Worship: Commitment

In a sense, commitment is the epitome of worship. Despite the thorough treatment we have given the topic in the past months, without this last essential element, worship is incomplete—rather, it has not taken place at all.

That’s because true worship IS the gospel message. And the full gospel message ends with a complete and total response. It’s not about just understanding the message, but responding to it in sacrifice, service, and love toward God and other people. Not just proclaiming the power of the gospel to change lives, but demonstrating that transformation with your life by pursuing holiness. Not just marveling in the magnitude of God’s saving grace, but making it the center of your life.

In his book, Living the Cross Centered Life (highly recommended), C.J. Mahaney says, “Never let the cross slide into second or third place in your life. Never lay it aside. Never move on.” He says if you want to understand more about the Old Testament, never move on from the basic gospel message. If you want to understand more about the return of Christ, never move on from the gospel. If you want to grow in your prayer, personal holiness, or relationships, keep the gospel at the center of your life. Keeping the gospel central in your life means being committed in your response of repentance and love for Christ.

Isaiah 6:1-8 is a picture of worship, but most importantly it is a picture of the gospel. Along with Isaiah, as we live with the knowledge and transformation of the atoning grace of God, made possible only by the sacrifice of the Lamb on the altar, our response should be that of immediate and enthusiastic commitment: “Here am I! Send me.”

FSBC Worship Choir Fall Kickoff 2009!

FSBC Family Night in Bardstown