We ask God, can you fix this, make it like it was? We want Him like He has been in our past. We hope for what He will be in the future while ignoring Who He is in the here and now. Jesus is the same as He was in the past and will be in the future, open your heart to Who He is in your present.
Church buildings are closed. Worship has not been stopped. God is the same. We can still pray. We can still thank Him. And then we can sing praises to His name but, only in our homes or cars. Worship is in our hearts, not in a building with sound and lighting booth in a theater setting. No lights, sound, action. No theatrics. No emoting. Back to simple worship. Just like His creation.
God has intervened in modern services. Many had become praise oriented only but they called it worship. I believe He is using the current pandemic circumstances to shake up these concepts and wake His church.
I was raised on sound Biblical teachings and sound Biblical music. Everything from the front of the churches led worship of who God IS with humbleness and reverence. Sunday mornings we worshipped. We went back on Sunday nights for praise and testimony. You can not praise and give testimony for what God does until you worship Him for Who He IS.
I grew up attending the interdenominational churches of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. The founder of the C&MA, A. B. Simpson, wrote songs based on scripture, not “feel good to sing, toe tapping and emotion raising productions.” The Biblical truths we sang aloud. Those truths raised our spirits all on their own, no theatrics needed.
One of my favorites, based on Hebrews 13:8, was “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Now, over 100 years later, the hymns’ Biblical truths are sung around the world in many languages.
May we live today with our feet on the solid ground of His promises because Jesus is the same. (You can click link and sing along with the lyrics below.)
YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER
Words: Albert B. Simpson, 1890.
Music: James H. Burke
~ O how sweet the glorious message simple faith may claim
Yesterday, today, forever Jesus is the same.
Still He loves to save the sinful, heal the sick and lame
Cheer the mourner, still the tempest, glory to His Name.
Refrain
Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same.
All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name!
Glory to His Name! Glory to His Name!
All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name!
~ He, who was the Friend of sinners, seeks the lost one now
Sinner come, and at His footstool penitently bow
He Who said “I’ll not condemn thee, go and sin no more,”
Speaks to thee that word of pardon as in days of yore.
Refrain:
~ Oft on earth He healed the sufferer by His mighty hand
Still our sicknesses and sorrows go at His command
He who gave His healing virtue to a woman’s touch
To the faith that claims His fullness still will give as much.
Refrain:
~ As of old He walked to Emmaus, with them to abide
So through all life’s way He walketh ever near our side
Soon again we shall behold Him, Hasten Lord the day
But twill still be this same Jesus as He went away.
Refrain:
Renee’ Green Copyright 2018 (Revised & Updated 2020)
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Lights in the Storm 